Bell 505 Choppers Must Update Maintenance Plans, FAA Demands
Published Date: 9/30/2026
Proposed Rule
Summary
If you own or work with Bell Model 505 helicopters, heads up! The FAA wants you to update your maintenance schedules with new safety rules to keep flying safe. Comments on these changes are open until November 16, 2026, so get ready to adjust your plans and budgets accordingly.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
Must update maintenance limits within 30 days
If you own or operate a Bell Model 505 helicopter, you must revise the airworthiness limitations section of your maintenance manual or instructions for continued airworthiness and your approved maintenance/inspection program to add new or more restrictive life limits and checks within 30 days after the AD's effective date. The FAA estimates this AD would affect 191 U.S.-registered Model 505 helicopters and that the one-time paperwork/labor cost to revise the ALS is 1 work-hour (1 x $85 = $85) per helicopter, for a total estimated cost to U.S. operators of $16,235.
No alternative actions allowed without approval
After you incorporate the new airworthiness limitations, you are not allowed to use alternative actions, thresholds, intervals, or life limits unless those alternatives are approved as specified in Transport Canada AD CF-2026-20R1. That means operators must get formal approval before changing any required life limits or inspection intervals.
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