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Civil Aviation Act, 2009 (Act No. 13 of 2009)

Regulations

Civil Aviation Regulations, 2011

Part 135 : Air Transport Operations - Carriage of less than 20 passengers or cargo

Subpart 5 : Aeroplane Instruments and Equipment

135.05.11 Cockpit voice recorders

 

(1) An air service operator shall ensure the aeroplanes specified in Document SA-CATS 135, when operated in terms of this Part, are equipped with the CVR specified in Document SA-CATS 135 and that such CVR complies with the specifications prescribed therein.

 

(2) The CVR shall record, with reference to a time scale—
(a) voice communications transmitted from or received on the flight deck or in the cockpit by radio;
(b) the aural environment of the flight deck or cockpit, including without interruption, the audio signals received from each microphone in use;
(c) voice communications of flight crew members on the flight deck or in the cockpit using the interphone system of the aeroplane, if installed;
(d) voice or audio signals identifying navigation or approach aids introduced into a headset or speaker; and
(e) voice communications of flight crew members on the flight deck or crew members in the cockpit using the public address system of the aeroplane, if installed.

 

(3) The CVR shall—
(a) be capable of retaining information recorded during at least the period of time as prescribed in Document SA-CATS 135;
(b) start automatically to record the aeroplane moving under its own power and continue to record, until the termination of the flight when the aeroplane is no longer capable of moving under its own power; and
(c) if possible, start to record the cockpit checks prior to engine start at the beginning of the flight, until the cockpit checks immediately following engine shutdown at the end of the flight.

 

(4) The CVR may be combined with a FDR referred to in regulation 135.05.11.

 

(5) An operator may not operate an aeroplane equipped with a CVR or CARS using magnetic tape or wire.

[Regulation 135.05.11(5) substituted by regulation 36(c) of Notice No. R.1503, GG45491, dated 15 November 2021 (Twenty-First Amendment of the Civil Aviation Regulations, 2021)]

 

(6) An aeroplane may commence a flight with the CVR inoperative: Provided that—
(a) for aeroplanes with an approved MEL, such aeroplane is operated in accordance with that MEL and such MEL incorporates the provisions of paragraph (b) below; or
(b) for aeroplanes without an approved MEL—
(i) the aeroplane shall not take-off from an aerodrome where repairs or replacements to such CVR can be made;
(ii) the aeroplane does not exceed six further consecutive flights with the CVR unserviceable;
(iii) not more than 48 hours have elapsed since the CVR became unserviceable; and
(iv) any FOR required to be carried is operative, unless the FDR is combined with a CVR.