FAA Issues Routine Helicopter Maintenance Update for Airbus Models
Published Date: 6/16/2026
Rule
Summary
If you own or work with certain Airbus Helicopters like the AS350 or EC130 models, listen up! The FAA is updating safety rules to make sure your helicopter’s maintenance manuals have the newest, stricter checks. These changes kick in on July 21, 2026, and might mean some extra work but keep everyone flying safer.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 3 costs, 0 mixed.
Revise maintenance manual ALS
If you own or operate an Airbus Helicopters Model AS350B, AS350BA, AS350B1, or AS350D helicopter, you must revise the airworthiness limitations section (ALS) of your existing maintenance manual or instructions for continued airworthiness and the approved maintenance or inspection program. This revision must be done within 30 days after the AD becomes effective on July 21, 2026.
FAA shortens compliance window to 30 days
The FAA requires revising the approved maintenance/inspection program's ALS within 30 days after the AD's effective date (July 21, 2026). This replaces the 12-month revision window specified in EASA AD 2024-0133R1 with a 30-day requirement in this FAA AD.
Estimated one-time compliance cost
The FAA estimates this AD affects 963 U.S.-registered helicopters. The estimated cost to revise the ALS is 1 work-hour at $85 per helicopter (no parts), for a total estimated cost to U.S. operators of $81,855.
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