Airbus Helicopters Face Rotor Inspection Mandate
Published Date: 2/18/2025
Rule
Summary
If you fly Airbus EC225LP helicopters, listen up! The FAA updated safety rules to check and maybe replace certain rotor parts to keep your chopper safe. This new rule covers more parts, clears up some confusion, and keeps you on a smart schedule—so no surprises or big bills if you stay on top of it.
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 3 costs, 0 mixed.
Mandatory inspections and replacements
If you operate an Airbus EC225LP helicopter, the FAA requires repetitive inspections of the bearing in the swashplate assembly of certain main rotor (M/R) mast assemblies and requires replacing the M/R mast assembly if inspection findings meet the replacement criteria. This rule supersedes AD 2021-04-18 and continues those inspection and replacement actions.
Installation prohibition for affected parts
The AD prohibits installing the affected M/R mast assemblies unless the installer meets the specified requirements. That means you cannot fit those M/R mast assemblies back onto aircraft unless the conditions in the AD are satisfied.
Expanded list of affected part numbers
The FAA added more part-numbered M/R mast assemblies to the list of affected parts and explicitly distinguishes affected part numbers between M/R mast assemblies and mast swashplate assemblies, as specified in the incorporated EASA AD. This broadens which parts and assemblies are subject to the AD.
Clarified safety consequences and requirement
The AD clarifies the possible consequences from the unsafe condition and clarifies a requirement from the earlier AD, making it clearer what safety risks could occur and what operators must do. This gives clearer guidance about the hazard and compliance expectations.
Personalized for You
How does this regulation affect your finances?
Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this federal register document means for your household, plus every other regulation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
2026-13440, Enabling Supersonic Overland Flight
The FAA wants to let supersonic planes fly over land again by updating old rules that banned them because of loud sonic booms. Thanks to new tech that keeps booms quiet, this change will open the door for faster, cooler flights across the U.S., helping America lead the world in supersonic travel. People and companies interested in supersonic flight should share their thoughts by August 17, 2026.
2026-13126, Designation-Restrict the Operation of Unmanned Aircraft in Close Proximity to a Fixed Site Facility; Extension of Comment Period
The FAA is giving more time—until August 5, 2026—for people to share their thoughts on new rules that would limit drone flights near important fixed sites like power plants or airports. This affects drone operators and facility owners who want to keep the skies safe and secure. No new costs yet, just extra time to weigh in and help shape the rules.
2026-08943, Designation-Restrict the Operation of Unmanned Aircraft in Close Proximity to a Fixed Site Facility
The FAA is proposing new rules to keep drones away from certain important fixed sites like power plants or airports to keep everyone safe and secure. If you own or operate one of these sites, you can request a drone flight restriction zone to protect your property and people nearby. Comments are open until July 6, 2026, and these changes could affect drone pilots and site operators, but no big costs are expected.
2026-16913, Agency Information Collection Activities: Requests for Comments; Clearance of a Renewed Approval of Information Collection: Maintenance, Preventive Maintenance, Rebuilding, and Alteration; Correction
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, FAA invites public to make comments about our intention to request the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval to renew an information collection. The Federal Register Notice with a 60-day comment period soliciting comments on the following collection of information was published on June 02, 2026. The Information to be collected is necessary to insure the safety of the flying public. Documentation of maintenance repair actions record who, what, when, where and how of the task performed. All maintenance actions as well as documentation are required by Title 14 CFR part 43. This collection focuses on Form 337 which is collected by the FAA. Other records for preventative maintenance, and logbook entries are not collected by the FAA serve as a responsibility of the owner to maintain in case of verification of airworthiness when seeking approval or sale of the aircraft. This ensures proper certification of personnel; proper tooling is utilized and accurate measures to ensure safety. Total form 337s submitted in 2024 is 76,253. Total general aviation aircraft registrations on file are 438,651. It is estimated by the numbers collected one in every five aircraft have a 337-form submitted for major alteration and repairs performed. Each 337 takes approximately 1 hour.
2026-16874, Airworthiness Directives; Airbus SAS Airplanes
The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Airbus SAS Model A330-941 airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by an occurrence of a triple "PRIM FAULT" in the Flight Control Primary Computer (FCPC) at touchdown. This proposed AD would require the installation of a new FCPC standard and applicable concurrent modifications. This proposed AD would also prohibit the installation of certain parts The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
2026-16888, Standard Instrument Approach Procedures, and Takeoff Minimums and Obstacle Departure Procedures; Miscellaneous Amendments
This rule amends, suspends, or removes Standard Instrument Approach Procedures (SIAPs) and associated Takeoff Minimums and Obstacle Departure Procedures for operations at certain airports. These regulatory actions are needed because of the adoption of new or revised criteria, or because of changes occurring in the National Airspace System, such as the commissioning of new navigational facilities, adding new obstacles, or changing air traffic requirements. These changes are designed to provide for the safe and efficient use of the navigable airspace and to promote safe flight operations under instrument flight rules at the affected airports.
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2025-02699, Modification of Class D Airspace and Modification of Class E Airspace; Jack Northrop Field/Hawthorne Municipal Airport, Hawthorne, CA
The airspace around Jack Northrop Field/Hawthorne Municipal Airport in California is getting a makeover! These changes help pilots fly safer and smoother by updating the rules for both instrument and visual flights. If you fly in or near this airport, expect clearer airspace boundaries soon—no extra costs or delays involved.
Next: 2025-02722, Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Atlantic Herring Fishery; 2025 Management Area 3 Possession Limit Adjustment
Starting in 2025, fishermen in Management Area 3 can only keep up to 2,000 pounds of Atlantic herring at a time. This change helps stop catching too many herring before the year ends, protecting the fish and future fishing chances. If we don’t act now, stricter limits could hit later, so this keeps things fair and fish-friendly.