Which time period does the cockpit voice recorder cover?

• A. the time electrical power commences before flight until electrical power is shutoff at the end of the flight
• B. the time from the beginning of taxi until the aircraft stops taxi at the end of the flight
• C. the start of takeoff to the end of landing sequence at the destination
• D. anytime the flight crew starts a conversation

Answer: (C)

This question tests when a cockpit voice recorder is active during a flight. The CVR is designed to capture cockpit audio throughout the flight’s critical phases, starting with the takeoff maneuver and continuing through climb, cruise, descent, approach, and the landing sequence at the destination, including the post-landing taxi as the aircraft comes to a stop. This continuous window ensures investigators can review crew communications and cockpit sounds for the entire flight segment, not just moments when someone is speaking.

So, the best description is the period from the start of takeoff to the end of the landing sequence at the destination because it covers the full operational phase where important flight-phase communications occur. The other options either extend the recording to preflight power-up or post-shutdown, or limit recording to conversations alone, which doesn’t reflect the continuous nature of CVR recording.