FAA updates maintenance rules for Airbus AS350 and EC130 helicopters
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Table of Contents
The Federal Aviation Administration is issuing a new airworthiness directive that changes how operators maintain certain Airbus Helicopters. This rule replaces an older directive from 2022 with updated requirements based on safety standards set by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency.
Why it matters: This is a safety update driven by international standards. The FAA determined that the previous maintenance intervals were no longer sufficient to prevent potential component failures. By aligning with European requirements, the rule ensures U.S. helicopters meet current safety benchmarks without imposing significantly higher costs on operators.
Who it affects
- Owners and operators of Airbus Helicopters Model AS350B, AS350BA, AS350B1, AS350B2, AS350B3, AS350D, EC130B4, and EC130T2 helicopters.
This rule was issued by the Federal Aviation Administration as a final rule; verify details in the original document at regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2026-0006 before relying on it.
Agency: Transportation Department, Federal Aviation Administration
Source: Federal Register — read the official document