🚁Proposed Class E Airspace Establishment in Blue Hill, ME
This action proposes to establish Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface for Blue Hill, ME, by adding airspace for Blue Hill Memorial Hospital Heliport, Blue Hill, ME. Controlled airspace is necessary for the safety and management of instrument flight rules (IFR) operations at this heliport.
Learn More🚁New FAA Airworthiness Directive for Airbus Helicopters
The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Airbus Helicopters Model SA341G and SA342J helicopters. This AD was prompted by a report of a pilot collective pitch stick handle grip that broke when pulled. This AD requires replacing certain pilot collective pitch stick handle grips and prohibits installing those pilot collective pitch stick handle grips. These actions are specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which is incorporated by reference. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
Learn More🚁Special Conditions for Helicopter Overload Protection Device Compliance
This action proposes special conditions for a supplemental type certificate (STC) to install a helicopter hoist equipped with an overload protection device (OLPD) on Sikorsky Model S-61A, S-61L, and S-61N (including those modified by STC No. SH640NE, which shortens the S-61N by 50 inches) helicopters. These helicopters, as modified by Carson Helicopters, Inc. (Carson), will have a novel or unusual design feature when compared to the state of technology envisioned in the airworthiness standards for transport category rotorcraft. This design feature is an OLPD installed in the hoist. The applicable airworthiness regulations do not contain adequate or appropriate safety standards for this design feature. These proposed special conditions contain the additional safety standards that the Administrator considers necessary to establish a level of safety equivalent to that established by the existing airworthiness standards.
Learn More🚁New Airworthiness Directive for Airbus Helicopters
The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus Helicopters Model EC 155B, EC155B1, SA-365N, SA-365N1, AS-365N2, and AS 365 N3 helicopters. This AD prompted by an engine compartment fire where the upper stiffener of the central firewall in the engine compartment was found damaged. This AD requires replacing the aluminum central firewall stiffener with a titanium central firewall stiffener and prohibits installing an aluminum central firewall stiffener. These actions are specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which is incorporated by reference. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
Learn More🚁FAA Airworthiness Directive on Airbus Helicopters 2025-03-01
The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2021-04- 18, which applied to Airbus Helicopters Model EC225LP helicopters. AD 2021-04-18 required repetitively inspecting the bearing in the swashplate assembly of certain main rotor (M/R) mast assemblies and, depending on the findings, replacing the M/R mast assembly. AD 2021-04- 18 also prohibited installing those M/R mast assemblies unless certain requirements were met. Since the FAA issued AD 2021-04-18, it was determined that additional M/R mast assemblies are affected by the same unsafe condition and that it is necessary to distinguish the affected part numbers between M/R mast assemblies and mast swashplate assemblies. This AD continues to require the actions specified in AD 2021-04-18 and adds additional part-numbered M/R mast assemblies and distinguishes the affected part numbers between M/R mast assemblies and mast swashplate assemblies, as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which is incorporated by reference. This AD also clarifies the possible consequences that could result from the unsafe condition and clarifies a requirement. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
Learn More🚁FAA Proposes New Airworthiness Directive for Robinson Helicopters
The FAA proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2024-19-11, which applies to all Robinson Helicopter Company Model R44 and R44 II helicopters. AD 2024-19-11 requires visually inspecting a certain flex plate assembly (flex plate) and certain clutch shaft forward yokes (yokes), including each flex plate bolt, and depending on the results, taking corrective actions. AD 2024-19-11 also requires removing certain yokes from service within a specified threshold, or as an alternative, performing in-depth inspections. Since the FAA issued AD 2024-19-11, it has been determined that clarifications regarding the alternative inspections are necessary. This proposed AD would retain all the requirements of AD 2024-19-11 and would clarify that the alternative inspections are repetitive and add a particular paint remover option to use when performing those alternative inspections. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
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