Helicopter Manuals Wrong? FAA Orders Quick Fix-It Rewrite!
Published Date: 10/14/2026
Proposed Rule
Summary
If you own or work with Leonardo AW169 helicopters, listen up! The FAA wants to update the helicopter’s maintenance rules because the last update had some wrong info. You’ll need to revise your maintenance manuals and inspection plans by November 30, 2026, to keep flying safe and sound—no surprise costs mentioned, just safer skies ahead!
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 2 costs, 0 mixed.
Must Revise AW169 Maintenance Limits
If you operate a Leonardo AW169 helicopter, you must revise the airworthiness limitations section (ALS) of the maintenance manual or instructions for continued airworthiness and your approved maintenance/inspection program by incorporating Leonardo AW169 # AMPI Chapter 4 Issue 6, Document No. 169F0225A075, Issue A, dated October 17, 2025. The required revision must be done within 30 days after the effective date of the AD.
Estimated Compliance Cost — $85 per Helicopter
The FAA estimates this AD would affect 18 U.S.-registered AW169 helicopters. The estimated labor to revise the ALS is 1 work-hour at $85 per hour, with $0 parts cost, yielding $85 cost per helicopter and $1,530 total cost to U.S. operators.
No Unapproved Alternatives Allowed
After you incorporate the required airworthiness limitations, you may not use alternative actions, thresholds, intervals, or life limits unless they are approved by the Manager, International Validation Branch, FAA; or by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA); or by Leonardo S.p.a. EASA Design Organization Approval (DOA) for repair instructions and accomplishing those instructions.
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