FAA · Safety Alerts for Operators (SAFO)
SAFO 06019: Functional Test of the Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) Prior to the First Flight of the Day
In Brief
What It Addresses
This SAFO emphasizes the importance of operators ensuring they have procedures and training for the functional test of the CVR.
Why It Matters
Accident investigations have revealed that some of the CVRs in use by the operators are not being tested in accordance with the Aircraft Flight Manual, which would have shown them to be either malfunctioning or inoperative prior to the first flight of the day.
Recommended Action
All Directors of Operations and Chief Pilots should ensure that all training requirements for testing of CVRs are emphasized during initial and recurrent training. All pilots of aircraft equipped with a CVR should test the function of the CVR before the first flight of each day as part of an approved aircraft checklist.
From the Document: selected source passages, quoted as written, for a quick overview.
SAFOSafety Alert for Operators
U.S. Department SAFO 06019
of Transportation DATE: 11/8/06
Federal Aviation
Administration Flight Standards Service
Washington, DC http://www.faa.gov/other_visit/aviation_industry/airline_operators/airline_safety/safo A SAFO contains important safety information and may include recommended action. SAFO content should be especially valuable to air carriers in meeting their statutory duty to provide service with the highest possible degree of safety in the public interest.
SUBJECT: Functional Test of the Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) Prior to the First Flight of the Day
PURPOSE: This SAFO emphasizes the importance of operators ensuring they have procedures and training for the functional test of the CVR.
BACKGROUND: Accident investigations have revealed that some of the CVRs in use by the operators are not being tested in accordance with the Aircraft Flight Manual, which would have shown them to be either malfunctioning or inoperative prior to the first flight of the day.
DISCUSSION: The importance of performing the functional test of a CVR prior to the first flight of the day is not only required, but essential to providing an accident investigation tool in case of a mishap or accident.
RECOMMENDED ACTION: All Directors of Operations and Chief Pilots should ensure that all training requirements for testing of CVRs are emphasized during initial and recurrent training. All pilots of aircraft equipped with a CVR should test the function of the CVR before the first flight of each day as part of an approved aircraft checklist.
Questions concerning this SAFO should be directed to the Commuter, On Demand, and Training Center Branch, AFS-250, at 202-267-8166.
Approved by: AFS-200
Source: Federal Aviation Administration — www.faa.gov. Reproduced from the published record; FlightPush adds formatting only.
SAFO 06019