What To Know: The New 25-Hour Cockpit Voice Recorder Standard

Beginning May 16, 2025, all newly manufactured U.S.-registered aircraft were required to be delivered with 25-hour Cockpit Voice Recorders (CVRs). In addition, existing aircraft already subject to CVR requirements must be upgraded by 2030. This new long-duration recording standard aligns U.S. operators with international expectations and represents a meaningful leap forward in safety, compliance, and operational readiness.

As a trusted partner to operators of today’s most advanced airframes, West Star Aviation is uniquely positioned to help operators navigate this transition with confidence.

Why 25-Hour CVRs Matter

Deeper Safety Insights

Modern flight operations demand better data. Expanding cockpit audio recording from 2 hours to 25 hours ensures critical conversations and environmental cues are preserved. This extended window provides safety teams and investigators with a more complete understanding of operational conditions.

More Complete Incident Context

With legacy 2-hour CVRs, valuable pre-event information was often overwritten. A 25-hour CVR captures hours of cockpit activity leading up to an event, offering essential context that can reveal contributing factors, procedural gaps, or human-performance considerations. The result is more effective analysis and more meaningful safety improvements.

A Modern Requirement for a Modern Fleet

Retrofit-Ready Solutions for Today’s Aircraft

Upgrading to a 25-hour CVR is rarely a simple hardware swap. Many aircraft require updated wiring, new mounting provisions, backup power integration, and certification support to meet the new standard. Trust West Star Aviation’s avionics teams to bring deep experience across a wide range of airframes to ensure upgrades are engineered, installed, and approved correctly the first time.

Growing Demand Across the Industry

Every affected aircraft will require modification — placing pressure on installation capacity, parts availability, and STC approvals as the 2030 deadline approaches. Early planning is essential. By acting now, operators can avoid bottlenecks, reduce downtime, and maintain predictable maintenance schedules.

Who Must Comply?

New aircraft (after May 16, 2025): Must be delivered with a 25-hour CVR

Existing aircraft with CVR requirements: Must be retrofitted by 2030

Exclusions: Most ultralights and certain experimental aircraft remain outside the rule unless already subject to CVR requirements.

Why Some Operators Haven’t Acted Yet

Unlike many regulatory changes, this mandate did not arrive through a high-profile FAA rulemaking announcement. Instead, it was introduced through major legislation, limiting industry visibility. As a result, many operators believe they have more time than they do. With 2030 only a few years away, proactive planning is no longer optional — it’s strategic.

The Benefits of Acting Now

Maintain Regulatory Compliance

Stay ahead of evolving requirements and reduce the risk of operational disruptions, audit findings, or insurance complications.

Minimize Aircraft Downtime

Early engagement ensures access to parts, installation slots, and certification resources — keeping your aircraft flying and your schedule intact.

Strengthen Operational Safety

Adopting a 25-hour CVR enhances your safety culture and aligns your operation with global best practices embraced by leading operators worldwide.

West Star Aviation — Your Avionics and CVR Resource

West Star Aviation offers the expertise, resources, and foresight to guide your CVR upgrade from planning through execution. Our avionics specialists work across today’s most sophisticated platforms, delivering solutions that are compliant, efficient, and future-ready.

Now is the time to evaluate your CVR strategy. West Star Aviation is ready to help you plan, budget, and implement your transition. For more information on the 25-hour CVR mandate or any other avionics capabilities, please contact one of the Avionics Specialists below:

Dwayne Chandler

Director of Avionics Business Development

Cell: 336.971.7474

[email protected]

Aaron Berg

Technical Sales Manager Avionics (GJT)

Office 970.248.5281

[email protected]

Joe Martinez

Technical Sales Manager - Avionics

(GJT)

Office 970.644.5993

[email protected]

Dave Feurhak

Technical Sales Manager, Avionics (ALN)

Office: 618.636.4540

[email protected]

Jim Ellis

Technical Sales Manager, Avionics (ALN)

Office 618.258.8065

[email protected]

Prince Davis

Technical Sales Manager, Avionics

(CHA)

Office: 423.661.8900

[email protected]

Jeff Messmer

Technical Sales Manager

(PCD)

Cell: 314.607.4069

[email protected]