FAA Orders Canopy Fixes After Aerobatic Planes Pop Open in Flight
Published Date: 12/10/2025
Proposed Rule
Summary
If you own an Extra Aerobatic Aircraft GmbH EXTRA NG plane, listen up! The FAA wants you to swap out your canopy signs and update your flight manual because some canopies have popped open mid-flight. You’ve got until January 26, 2026, to share your thoughts before this rule might become official—fixing this keeps your flight safe without breaking the bank.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 3 costs, 0 mixed.
Must replace canopy placards quickly
If you own an Extra Aerobatic Aircraft GmbH Model EXTRA NG airplane that does not have canopy placard part number EX-01106.01-Canopy installed, you must replace the canopy placards at the front and rear canopy handles within 3 months or 25 hours time-in-service, whichever happens first after the AD’s effective date. The FAA estimates replacing the placards takes 1 work-hour ($85) plus $10 in parts (total $95 per airplane) and that 30 U.S.-registered airplanes would be affected.
You must update the POH/AFM Limitations
After replacing the canopy placards, you must revise the Limitations Section of the existing Pilot Operating Handbook/Airplane Flight Manual (POH/AFM) to include canopy placard P/N EX-01106.01-Canopy before the next flight, or incorporate Revision 16 (or later) of the POH/AFM. The FAA estimates this revision takes 1 work-hour ($85) per airplane; the owner/operator holding at least a private pilot certificate may make the revision and must record compliance in the maintenance records.
Prohibited: installing non-approved placards
As of the effective date of this AD, you may not replace any canopy placard with a placard that is not part number EX-01106.01-Canopy. This rule limits allowable replacement parts for the canopy placard.
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