FAA updates maintenance rules for certain Airbus helicopters

The Federal Aviation Administration is updating an existing safety rule that applies to specific models of Airbus Helicopters. The new directive replaces a previous order from January 2023 and aligns U.S. requirements with recent changes made by European aviation authorities.

Why it matters: This is a targeted safety update for roughly 972 helicopters in the U.S. registry that use specific pitch change units. It ensures that mechanical parts are installed correctly to prevent potential failures, while shifting some routine visual checks to the manufacturer’s standard maintenance schedule rather than creating new federal inspection mandates.

Who it affects

• Owners and operators of Airbus Helicopters models AS350B, AS350BA, AS350B1, AS350B2, AS350B3, AS350D, AS355E, AS355F, AS355F1, AS355F2, AS355N, and AS355NP

---

This information comes from a final rule issued by the Federal Aviation Administration in the Federal Register; you should verify the exact text of the directive before making compliance decisions.

Agency: Transportation Department, Federal Aviation Administration
Source: Federal Register — read the official document