FAA Demands Dust-Busting on Choppers to Stop Shocking Short Circuits
Published Date: 3/9/2026
Proposed Rule
Summary
If you fly Airbus Helicopters like the AS 350B2, AS 350B3, EC120B, or EC 130 B4, listen up! The FAA wants you to regularly clean and check a part called the lighting and ancillaries control unit to stop short circuits caused by dust or debris. You might also need to update your emergency floatation switches and flight manual soon, so get ready to keep your chopper safe and sound.
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 4 costs, 0 mixed.
Required repetitive LACU cleaning and inspection
If you operate an Airbus Helicopter Model AS 350B2, AS 350B3, EC120B, or EC 130 B4, the FAA would require repetitively cleaning and inspecting the lighting and ancillaries control unit (LACU) for foreign object debris (FOD). The FAA estimated the cleaning and inspection takes 2 work-hours at $85 per hour (total $170) per helicopter per inspection, and applying that per-inspection cost to U.S. registry helicopters equals $97,920 per inspection for the affected fleet.
EFS activation-switch modification required
Depending on helicopter configuration, you would need to modify emergency flotation system (EFS) activation switches as a terminating action for the repetitive cleaning and inspection requirement. The FAA estimated the modification takes 16 work-hours at $85 per hour (total $1,360) per helicopter and estimated the cost on U.S. operators to be $783,360.
Installation and part removal restrictions
The proposed AD would prohibit installing certain affected LACUs and EFS units on any helicopter unless specified requirements are met, and where the referenced EASA material specifies to discard parts, the FAA requires removing those parts from service. These installation and removal rules apply to the affected Airbus Helicopters models (AS 350B2, AS 350B3, EC120B, EC 130 B4).
Number of helicopters affected and per-action fleet costs
The FAA estimates this AD would affect 576 helicopters of U.S. registry. The FAA's cost estimates shown in the proposal are: $170 per helicopter per inspection (2 work-hours x $85) totaling $97,920 per inspection across U.S. operators; $1,360 per helicopter for the EFS modification totaling $783,360 for U.S. operators; and $85 per helicopter to revise the RFM totaling $48,960 for U.S. operators.
Rotorcraft flight manual must be revised
The proposed AD requires revising the existing Rotorcraft Flight Manual (RFM) for the helicopter to reflect the EFS activation-switch modification and updated procedures. The FAA estimated revising the RFM takes 1 work-hour at $85 per hour per helicopter, totaling $48,960 for the affected U.S. fleet.
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.
2026-16970, Agency Information Collection Activities: Requests for Comments; Clearance of a Renewed Approval of Information Collection: Flight Attendant Fatigue Risk Management Plan
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, FAA invites public 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 18, 2026. The collection involves submission of Fatigue Risk Management Plans (FRMP) for flight attendants of certificate holders operating under Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) part 121. The certificate holders will submit the information to be collected to the FAA for review and acceptance as required by the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
2026-16956, Airworthiness Directives; Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG Engines
The FAA proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2022-11-15, which applies to all Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG (RRD) Model Trent7000-72 and Trent7000-72C engines. AD 2022-11-15 requires initial and repetitive on-wing borescope inspections (BSIs) of the high-pressure turbine (HPT) blades to detect axial cracking and, depending on the results of the inspections, replacement of the HPT blade set. Since the FAA issued AD 2022-11-15, RRD issued updated service material providing improved instructions for inspection of the HPT blades, removing the reduced life limit for affected HPT blades, and revising the HPT blade limits for axial cracking. This proposed AD would continue to require initial and repetitive on-wing BSIs of the HPT blades to detect axial cracking and, depending on the results of the inspections, replacement of the HPT blade set. This proposed AD would also remove the reduced life limit for affected HPT blades. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
2026-16961, Airworthiness Directives; Dassault Aviation Airplanes
The FAA proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2025-13-11, which applies to all Dassault Aviation Model FALCON 7X airplanes. AD 2025-13-11 requires replacing the affected spoiler electrical units (SPECUs) and prohibits the installation of affected parts. Since the FAA issued AD 2025-13-11, it was determined that additional SPECUs are subject to the unsafe condition. This proposed AD would continue to require the actions in AD 2025-13-11 and would require replacing additional SPECUs. This proposed AD would also prohibit the installation of affected parts. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2026-04520, ACCOUNTABILITY IN HIGHER EDUCATION AND ACCESS THROUGH DEMAND-DRIVEN WORKFORCE PELL: PELL GRANT EXCLUSION RELATING TO OTHER GRANT AID; AND WORKFORCE PELL GRANTS
Starting soon, students enrolling in short, high-quality workforce programs can get new Workforce Pell Grants to help pay for school. The rules also change how Pell Grants work with other grants, making sure students get fair financial aid without overlap. These updates affect colleges, students, and financial aid offices, with comments open until April 8, 2026.
Next: 2026-04533, Trump Accounts
The IRS is rolling out new rules for Trump accounts, special savings accounts for kids. These rules explain how to open an account, who can make decisions, and what trustees need to know. If you’re involved, get ready to comment by May 8, 2026, and keep an eye on how this might affect your money moves.