FAA to Helicopter Owners: Swap AC Parts or Risk Altitude Goofs
Published Date: 6/18/2025
Proposed Rule
Summary
If you fly an Airbus Helicopters Deutschland MBB-BK 117 D-2 or D-3, listen up! The FAA wants you to update your flight manual and swap out some air conditioning parts to fix airspeed and altitude errors. These changes keep your helicopter safe and stop old parts from being used again—so get ready to act soon and keep flying smooth.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
Mandatory manual update and parts swap
If you operate an Airbus Helicopters Deutschland MBB‑BK 117 D‑2 or D‑3, the FAA would require you to revise the rotorcraft flight manual supplement (RFMS) and replace the air conditioning system (ACS) condenser outlet grids with ACS condenser outlet covers. The rule would also prohibit installing ACS condenser outlet grids going forward.
Fixes airspeed and altitude errors
The proposed directive targets reports of airspeed and altitude indication errors on Airbus Helicopters Deutschland MBB‑BK 117 D‑2 and D‑3 helicopters and would require changes to stop those errors. The FAA says the actions are intended to address the unsafe condition and keep the helicopter's flight instruments accurate.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
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