According to PCAR regulations, FDR and CVR must be carried for all airplanes with a takeoff mass over what weight?

The requirement for flight data recorders (FDR) and cockpit voice recorders (CVR) according to the PCAR (Philippine Civil Aviation Regulation) is specifically aimed at enhancing aviation safety and accident investigation. For airplanes with a takeoff mass exceeding 5,700 kg, the regulations mandate the installation of both FDR and CVR systems.

The reason why this particular weight of 5,700 kg is significant relates to the operational complexity and risk associated with larger aircraft. Heavier aircraft typically operate under different conditions and face more complex scenarios during flight compared to smaller aircraft. Therefore, having these recording devices ensures that critical operational data and cockpit conversations can be analyzed in the event of an accident. This contributes significantly to improving air safety and processes associated with incident investigations.

Smaller aircraft, such as those below this weight threshold, are often subject to less stringent regulations, primarily because the risk factors and the implications of accidents are different. Thus, the regulation sets a clear and specific threshold, emphasizing the importance of data recording technology in larger aircraft operations.