FAA Airline Transport Pilot (ATM)Regulations (14 CFR 117/121/61)Hard
A Part 121 operator's maintenance team is verifying flight data recorder (FDR) compliance under 14 CFR 121.343. What is the minimum number of hours of flight data the FDR must be capable of retaining?
- A25 hours
- B8 hours
- C2 hours
- D50 hours
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: A. 25 hours
14 CFR 121.343 requires that the flight data recorder retain at least the last 25 hours of its recorded information, capturing parameters such as altitude, airspeed, heading, and control surface positions to support accident investigations.
Why the other options are wrong
- B. 8 hours is not a recognized FDR retention standard.
- C. 2 hours is the CVR retention minimum, not the FDR requirement.
- D. 50 hours exceeds the regulatory minimum and is not the codified standard.
FDR Retention (121.343)
Part 121 flight data recorders must retain at least the last 25 hours of recorded flight parameters for accident/incident investigation purposes.
- Minimum retention: 25 hours
- Records parameters like altitude, airspeed, heading, attitude
- Distinct from CVR's 2-hour audio retention requirement
Memory trick: 'FDR remembers a full day, CVR only the last chat.'