Notice to CARAC Members,
The following regulatory initiatives were published in Canada Gazette, Part II on May 29, 2019.
Regulations Amending the Canadian Aviation Regulations (Parts I and VI – Flight Data Recorder and Cockpit Voice Recorder) SOR/2019-130 Canada Gazette, Part II – May 29, 2019
Coming into force: These regulations became effective upon publication in Canada Gazette, Part II, on May 29, 2019, with the exception of the following, which do not become effective until May 29, 2023. The delayed implementation is intended to allow operators to plan for the expense of updating CVRs and the scheduling of the aircraft retrofits.
Amendments coming into force on May 29, 2023:
- the subsequent amendment to subsection 605.34(1);
- the amendment to paragraph 605.34(4)(c);
- the addition of section 605.34.3 Data Link Communications in Subpart 605; and
- the addition of section 605.34.3 as a designated provision in CAR 103, Schedule II.
The CARs have been amended to address Transportation Safety Board (TSB) recommendations regarding duration of recording time of the cockpit voice recorder (CVR) and the need for an independent power supply to the CVR for continued recording should a total aircraft power failure occur. Subpart 605, and associated standards (Standard 625, and sections 551.100 and 551.101 of Chapter 551 of the Airworthiness Manual), have been amended to extend the recording time of the CVR from 30 minutes to 2 hours for aircraft manufactured before 2003. For aircraft manufactured after 2002 and that are already required to have a 2-hour CVR, the requirement to use of a Recorder Independent Power Supply (RIPS) will ensure the continued function of the CVR and cockpit area microphone for a period of 10 minutes, in the event that normal aircraft power sources to the CVR are interrupted. An amendment has also been made to move the existing requirement related to underwater locating devices for CVRs and flight data recorders (FDR) from Standard 625 to Subpart 605 and to clarify that a CVR is required whenever a multi-engine turbine powered aircraft capable of carrying six passengers or more is operated by two pilots.
Please be advised that the regulations coming into force on May 29, 2023 will not be incorporated into the CARs consolidation on the web until that time.