Flight data recorders and cockpit voice recorders

This regulation establishes flight data recorder (FDR) and cockpit voice recorder (CVR) requirements for certain aircraft operating under Part 91.

Who it affects: Primarily air carriers and commercial operators, but also applies to private operators of larger turbine aircraft. Specifically, it requires FDRs on multiengine turbine airplanes/rotorcraft with 10+ passenger seats manufactured after October 1991, and CVRs on those with 6+ seats requiring two pilots.

Key provisions: Recorders must run continuously from takeoff to landing. The regulation allows limited exceptions—you can ferry an aircraft with inoperative recorders to a repair facility, continue a flight if they fail after takeoff, or operate up to 30 days with proper documentation while arranging repairs.

After an accident: Operators must preserve all recorder data for at least 60 days. Recorders may have a 15-minute erasure feature during normal operations, but this cannot be used after any accident or reportable incident.

Most general aviation pilots flying smaller aircraft won't encounter these requirements.

*This is a plain-English summary for study only. The official 14 CFR text on this page is controlling — always read the current regulation and consult a CFI.*