Federal Aviation Administration regulatory updates — rulemaking, airworthiness directives, drone policy, ATC standards, and enforcement actions affecting US aviation operations.
The 787’s low-range radio altimeter has been dropping valid data at low altitude on approach. The fix is not a software patch but new coaxial cable on both sides on 169 US-registered airplanes. Operators have five years from 14 December 2026. FAA AD 2026-22-09 · FR Doc. 2026-22817Effective 14 December 2026169 US-registered airplanes Quick Answers … Read more
AIRWORTHINESS · FINAL RULE · GA & TRAINING FLEET Several Diamond DA 40s lost a passenger door in flight. The fix ranges from an AFM revision any private pilot can accomplish through inspections and force measurements to on-condition part replacements. Effective 7 December 2026. FAA AD 2026-22-06 · FR Doc. 2026-22310Effective 7 December 2026 987 … Read more
A fan blade came off a 737-800; debris hit the fuselage, and the aircraft descended under emergency. The FAA’s answer — proposed for all 3,450 US-registered CFM56-7B engines — is a visual inspection. Comments close 27 November 2026. FAA NPRM · FR Doc. 2026-21852Comments due 27 November 2026 3,450 US-registered engines Quick Answers Which engines … Read more
Pitch oscillation reports pushed the FAA to order freeplay measurements on nearly 2,000 US-registered 737NGs. The fix is an inspection, not a modification. The clock is already running. FAA AD 2026-20-14 · FR Doc. 2026-21333Effective 23 November 2026 1,987 US-registered airplanes Quick Answers Which airplanes are affected? Boeing 737-600, -700, -700C, -800, -900, and -900ER … Read more
A batch of non-conforming low-pressure compressor blades is prone to cracking. The FAA orders them out of service. Eight US-registered engines are affected, with parts costing about $225,000 per engine. FAA AD 2026-20-11 · FR Doc. 2026-20869 Effective 17 November 2026 MCAI-based · EASA AD 2025-0288R1 Quick Answers Which engines are affected? All Rolls-Royce Deutschland … Read more
Five notices of proposed rulemaking landed in the same Federal Register issue on 5 October 2026, all aimed at cutting licensing burden under the launch and reentry rules. Comments close 4 November 2026. 5 NPRMs · published 5 October 202614 CFR parts 401, 404, 413, 414, 450 · Comments due 4 November 2026 Quick Answers … Read more
AVIATION REGULATORY WATCH · FAA POLICY STATEMENT Policy statement — final, not a proposalEffective September 29, 2026Docket FAA-2026-12343 · 91 FR 61135 Quick Answers What did the FAA do? It ended the long-running exemption program that allowed certain Cessna Citation CE-500 variants to fly with one pilot, even though the rules require two. When does … Read more
A new NPRM would change the requirements for when pilots must wear oxygen masks in pressurized aircraft under Parts 91 and 135. The proposed flight-level limits are not yet in force. Published: September 25, 2026 · Regulatory status: Notice of Proposed Rulemaking · Comment deadline: November 23, 2026. Proposal only — current requirements remain in … Read more
Both final rules published September 11, 2026 in Federal Register Vol. 91, No. 175 · AD 2026-18-05 (Dassault Aviation, doc. 2026-18602, Docket FAA-2026-4663) and AD 2026-18-04 (Rolls-Royce Deutschland, doc. 2026-18601, Docket FAA-2026-2287) · 14 CFR Part 39 · both MCAI-based, originating from EASA Quick Answers What are these two ADs? Two FAA final rules published … Read more
Final rule published August 20, 2026 (FR Vol. 91, No. 160; doc. 2026-16954) · 14 CFR Part 39 · Docket FAA-2025-2555 · Issued August 17, 2026 Quick Answers What must operators do? At the next engine shop visit after September 24, 2026 where the 3rd stage HPC rotor is exposed, replace the full set of 3rd … Read more