Liftbrief / Regulatory news and changes
Does the new 25-hour cockpit recorder rule require replacing an existing charter aircraft?
Not as a universal consequence of this rule. The FAA’s February 2026 final rule increases recording duration for affected future-manufactured aircraft already required to carry a cockpit voice recorder. It is not a blanket 2027 retrofit mandate for the existing private-jet fleet. (federalregister.gov)
For affected business-aircraft procurement cases outside the earlier statutory covered-aircraft deadline, the important manufacturing thresholds include:
| Aircraft category | Manufacturing date triggering the 25-hour requirement |
|---|---|
| Aircraft with 29 or fewer type-certificated passenger seats and maximum certificated take-off weight of at least 59,525 lb | On or after 2 February 2027 |
| Affected aircraft with maximum certificated take-off weight of 59,524 lb or less | On or after 2 February 2029 |
Applicability depends on the detailed operating rule and existing CVR requirement; the table is not a universal equipment specification for every aircraft. The current Part 135 provision sets out these thresholds alongside the earlier requirements for covered larger aircraft. (ecfr.gov)
Recommended acquisition and management controls:
- Ask the technical adviser to document the applicable rule, manufacturing date and installed recorder specification.
- Distinguish a legal requirement from a voluntary upgrade in the capital budget.
- Require a cited applicability analysis before accepting a proposed “mandatory 2027 retrofit” charge.
- Keep mission suitability and dispatch decisions with qualified operational personnel; do not turn this equipment change into an unsupported aircraft safety ranking.