FAA Tells Helicopter Pilots: Watch Those Vibrations Closely
Published Date: 12/17/2025
Proposed Rule
Summary
If you fly certain Airbus Helicopters (AS332 models), the FAA wants you to keep an eye on vibration levels during flights to keep things safe. They’re updating old rules to add regular vibration checks and fixes if needed, on top of previous safety steps. Comments on this plan are open until February 2, 2026, so operators should prepare for some extra work but no big money hits yet.
Analyzed Economic Effects
6 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 4 costs, 0 mixed.
New in‑flight vibration checks
If your Airbus Helicopter AS332 (models AS332C/C1/L/L1) has Airbus modification 0722907, you must repetitively measure vibration levels in flight during the first flight after certain maintenance tasks and thereafter. Measurements must check the 11.7–12.7 Hz band and if vibration exceeds 0.08 g (0.40 IPS) you must, before further flight, remove the dual hoist or remove the blade de‑icing harnesses per the Airbus service bulletin.
Remove hoist or de‑icing now
For AS332 helicopters without Airbus modification 0722907 installed, you must remove the removable parts of the dual hoist installation or remove the de‑icing system within 7 days after May 20, 2020. The FAA estimates the labor cost for either removal is 12 work‑hours at $85/hour, or $1,020 per helicopter.
Installation restricted until requirements met
The proposed AD would prohibit installing the de‑icing system and the dual hoist unless the specified measurement and configuration requirements are accomplished. That means new installations of those systems are not allowed until the AD’s requirements are satisfied.
Placard and manual alternative
For AS332 helicopters without modification 0722907, you may comply by revising the rotorcraft flight manual (inserting specified pages) and installing a locally made placard on the instrument panel instead of removing the hoist or de‑icing system. The FAA estimates on‑condition labor to revise the RFM or to install the placard is 1 work‑hour at $85 each (cost per action $85).
Who may perform checks and record them
Measuring the vibration levels in‑flight and inserting pages into the rotorcraft flight manual may be performed by the owner/operator pilot who holds at least a private pilot certificate, and these actions must be entered into the aircraft maintenance records in accordance with 14 CFR 43.9(a) and 91.417(a)(2)(v). The FAA treats these checks and RFM insertions as actions pilots may perform because they involve recording data and inserting pages rather than maintenance.
Limited U.S. impact and cost estimate
The FAA estimates this proposed AD would affect five helicopters on the U.S. registry. The agency estimates removal actions cost $1,020 per helicopter ($5,100 for all five) and measuring vibrations costs $595 per helicopter per cycle ($2,975 for five helicopters per cycle).
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