Rotax Pilots: Check Nozzles or Swap Gearboxes Now
Published Date: 8/13/2026
Rule
Summary
The FAA is making sure certain BRP-Rotax engines used in various aircraft are safe by requiring a one-time check to see if an oil spray nozzle and screws are properly installed on the propeller gearbox. If they're missing, the gearbox must be replaced. This rule starts August 28, 2026, and helps keep pilots and passengers safe without big costs unless a replacement is needed.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 2 costs, 0 mixed.
Mandatory gearbox inspection and replacement
If your airplane has one of the listed Rotax engines, you must do a one-time visual inspection of the propeller gearbox for the oil spray nozzle and M7X16 hexagon screws by August 28, 2026. The inspection must be done before further flight for engines with less than 25 hours time-in-service (TIS) or within 5 hours TIS for engines with 25 hours or more; if the nozzle or screws are missing, the propeller gearbox must be replaced before further flight. The FAA estimates this AD affects 180 engines on U.S. airplanes, with an inspection cost of $170 per engine and an on-condition replacement cost showing labor $5,600 and parts $5,897.50 as listed in the rule.
Prohibition on installing affected gearboxes
After August 28, 2026, you may not install a propeller gearbox with serial numbers listed in the Rotax Alert Service Bulletin ASB-2026-001R00 on any engine unless it has been inspected in accordance with this AD. Replacing the propeller gearbox in accordance with the AD at or before the inspection compliance time also counts as terminating the inspection requirement for that engine.
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.
2026-16502, Airworthiness Directives; Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG Engines
The FAA proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2025-26-03, which applies to certain Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG (RRD) Model Trent 1000-A, Trent 1000-AE, Trent 1000-C, Trent 1000- CE, Trent 1000-D, Trent 1000-E, Trent 1000-G, and Trent 1000-H engines. AD 2025-26-03 requires repetitive borescope inspections (BSIs) of the high-pressure compressor (HPC) rear drum cavity and cavities between each HPC rotor disc, and depending on the results of inspection, removal of the engine from service. AD 2025-26-03 also allows an alternative method of complying with the repetitive BSIs if certain actions are accomplished. Since the FAA issued AD 2025-26-03, RRD published updated service material with a revised bolting arrangement at the HPC rotor shaft to high-pressure turbine (HPT) rotor disc interface to address the unsafe condition. This proposed AD would require repetitive BSIs of the HPC rear drum cavity and cavities between each HPC rotor disc, and depending on the results of inspection, removal of the engine from service. This proposed AD would also allow an alternative method of complying with BSIs if certain actions are accomplished, and require modification of the bolting arrangement as a terminating action for the repetitive BSIs. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
2026-16506, Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Helicopters
The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus Helicopters Model EC 155 B and EC 155 B1 helicopters. This AD was prompted by a determination that new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations are necessary. This AD requires revising the airworthiness limitations section (ALS) of the existing maintenance manual (MM) or instructions for continued airworthiness (ICA) and the existing approved maintenance or inspection program, as applicable. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
2026-16566, Airworthiness Directives; Airbus SAS Airplanes
The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus SAS Model A318 series airplanes; Model A319 series airplanes; Model A320 series airplanes; and Model A321-111, -112, -131, -211, -212, -213, -231, -232, -251N, -252N, -253N, -271N, -272N, - 251NX, -252NX, -253NX, -271NX, and -272NX airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by reports of a certain nose landing gear (NLG) sliding tube having widespread overheat damage and multiple cracks on the base metal during shop visits. This proposed AD would require a special detailed inspection (SDI) of the affected NLG sliding tube and replacement, as applicable. 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: 2026-16511, Determination of Attainment by the Attainment Date; 1997 Ozone Standards; California; Coachella Valley
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is taking final action to determine that the Riverside County (Coachella Valley), CA 1997 ozone "Extreme" nonattainment area attained the revoked 1997 ozone national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS) by its June 15, 2025 attainment date. This determination is based on quality-assured and certified ambient air quality monitoring data from 2022 through 2024.
Next: 2026-16514, Air Plan Approval; Illinois; Clean Data Determination for the Illinois Portion of the St. Louis Area for the 2015 Ozone Standard
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is determining under the Clean Air Act (CAA) that the Illinois portion of the St. Louis, MO- IL nonattainment area (hereafter also referred to as the "St. Louis area" or "area") has achieved clean data for the 2015 ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS or standard). This determination is based upon complete, quality-assured, and certified ambient air monitoring data for the 2023-2025 design value period showing that the Illinois portion of the area achieved attainment of the 2015 ozone NAAQS. This determination also relies on the EPA's concurrence of an exceptional events request submitted by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (Illinois EPA) on December 18, 2025, and concurred on by the EPA on January 12, 2026. Therefore, the EPA is taking final agency action on Illinois' exceptional events request. In a separate action, the EPA is finalizing a similar determination for the Missouri portion of the St. Louis area. This final determination suspends the requirements for the area to submit attainment demonstrations and associated Reasonably Available Control Measures (RACM), Reasonable Further Progress (RFP) plans, contingency measures for failure to attain or make reasonable progress, and other planning State Implementation Plans (SIPs) related to attainment of the 2015 ozone NAAQS, for as long as the area continues to attain the 2015 ozone NAAQS.