Boeing 757s can now use non-rechargeable lithium batteries in their emergency beacons

The Federal Aviation Administration has created new safety rules for installing non-rechargeable lithium batteries in emergency locator beacons on Boeing 757 airplanes. This means these specific aircraft can now legally use a newer battery technology for their underwater locator beacons.

Aircraft manufacturers and airlines often face a slow process when new technologies emerge that aren't covered by existing safety rules. Each new component or system needs a specific regulatory path. This document creates that path for a common battery type in a specific application, allowing a small but important upgrade to older aircraft.