1. A random access recording method for recording and playing back of avionics data, comprising: a) storing data received from a plurality of data channels in respective data files; b) storing timeline pointers that signify when the data from the respective plurality of data files was stored; c) determining a particular position of a timeline icon provided on a graphical user interface (GUI) display, the timeline icon signifying a point in time that a user desires to review avionics data stored in step a); and d) playing back data stored based on the particular position of the timeline icon with respect to corresponding values of the timeline pointers stored in step b).