Airbus Pilots: Update Those Maintenance Checklists Again, FAA Says
Published Date: 2/14/2025
Rule
Summary
If you operate Airbus A318, A319, A320, or A321 planes, this new FAA rule updates your maintenance checklists with stricter safety steps to keep flying safe. It replaces older rules and kicks in on March 21, 2025, so get ready to update your programs soon. These changes help prevent problems but might mean some extra work and costs for airlines.
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 3 costs, 0 mixed.
Must update Airbus maintenance programs
If you operate Airbus A318, A319, A320, or A321 airplanes with an original airworthiness or export certificate issued on or before December 19, 2023, you must revise your maintenance or inspection program to incorporate the new airworthiness limitations specified in EASA AD 2024-0031. This AD is effective March 21, 2025, and the AD requires revising the existing maintenance or inspection program within 90 days after the effective date of this AD.
FAA cost estimates per operator
The FAA estimates this AD affects 1,898 U.S.-registered airplanes and estimates revising a maintenance or inspection program takes an average of 90 work-hours per operator at $85 per hour. The FAA lists costs per operator as $7,650 for retained actions from AD 2023-13-10, $7,650 for retained actions from AD 2024-04-03, and $7,650 for the new actions (each calculated as 90 work-hours x $85 per hour).
Section 4 ALS Part 2 tasks excluded
This AD does not require incorporating Section 4, “Damage Tolerant--Airworthiness Limitations Items--tasks beyond MPPT,” of ALS Part 2 specified in EASA AD 2024-0031. The FAA states those Section 4 tasks are placeholders with no maintenance instructions and are not required to be added to the maintenance or inspection program now.
FAA approval required for compliance extensions
Operators seeking alternative actions, intervals, or extensions (e.g., to ALS Part 2 task compliance times) must obtain FAA approval through the Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOC) process; Airbus Statement of Compliance (ASAC) extensions are not accepted as automatic authorization. AMOC requests must follow 14 CFR 39.19 procedures and be approved by the Manager, AIR-520, Continued Operational Safety Branch.
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Previous: 2025-02644, Airworthiness Directives; Airbus SAS Airplanes
If you own or operate Airbus A318, A319, A320, or A321 planes, listen up! The FAA is updating the rules for how you maintain these aircraft to keep them super safe. Starting March 21, 2025, you’ll need to follow new, stricter maintenance checks that might cost a bit more time and money but keep everyone flying safely.
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