Friday, 5 June 2026
FAA mandates Falcon 7X slat-warning software upgrade, effective 9 July
FAA issues final AD on the Dassault Falcon 7X. The rule becomes effective on 9 July 2026. It mandates a software upgrade on the maintenance and avionics interface computer, together with a revised airplane flight manual.
The directive follows a report of failed inboard slat extension during the landing phase. The crew-alerting system gave no indication of the failure to the flightcrew. The FAA states that the condition could reduce lift margin on approach and landing, possibly leading to loss of aircraft control. The agency identified the absence of a slat-failure message as the unsafe condition.
The mandated action is installation of Dassault modification M2138. The mod revises the MAIC software so that the 'FCS: SLAT INB EXTEND FAIL' message displays when the failure occurs. Operators must also adopt the updated flight manual procedures for slat malfunctions. The rule mirrors EASA AD 2025-0092, issued by the European regulator on 23 April 2025, which itself superseded EASA Emergency AD 2022-0161-E.
Compliance terminates the requirements of FAA AD 2022-18-18 for Falcon 7X airframes that have embodied Dassault modification M1000. The AD applies across the type certificate. Cost and downtime estimates are not given in the published summary. Owners should coordinate the upgrade with Dassault service centres and confirm compliance dates with their maintenance provider.
The Falcon 7X entered service in 2007. The directive was published in the Federal Register on 4 June 2026, following a notice of proposed rulemaking advanced earlier this year. Comments on the proposed rule were addressed before adoption. The FAA docket reference is FAA-2026-2293.
Source: FAA AD 2026-11216, Federal Register, 4 June 2026; Justia Regulation Tracker.
Also today
EASA approves Gogo Galileo HDX retrofit for Challenger 604/605/650
EASA approves Gogo Galileo HDX on Bombardier Challenger 604, 605 and 650. Skyservice Business Aviation holds the supplemental type certificate. The approval covers EASA-regulated markets, joining existing FAA, Transport Canada and ANAC sign-offs. Skyservice is scheduling installations in Toronto, Montréal and Vancouver, and is offering installation kits for operators that prefer their own maintenance provider. Galileo HDX uses Eutelsat OneWeb's low-Earth-orbit satellites, providing low-latency global connectivity. The certification closes a gap for European Challenger operators who could not previously upgrade to next-generation broadband on the platform.
Source: Skyservice press release; Aviation International News, 3 June 2026.
Modern Aviation breaks ground on Fort Worth Meacham hangar
Modern Aviation broke ground on a Fort Worth Meacham hangar project on 3 June. The 87,150 sq ft complex comprises two 39,200 sq ft hangars and two attached 4,375 sq ft offices. Each hangar is sized to accommodate the largest business jets in production today. Completion is targeted for the first quarter of 2027. Modern Aviation operates 19 FBO locations across the United States and Puerto Rico. The expansion lifts total hangar capacity at Modern Aviation's Meacham FBO above 250,000 sq ft.
Source: Modern Aviation press release, 4 June 2026; Aviation International News, 4 June 2026.
FAA proposes $336,000 civil penalty against Planet Nine Private Air
The FAA has proposed a $336,000 civil penalty against Planet Nine Private Air. The agency alleges that the Van Nuys-based operator filed 21 passenger flight plans between November 2023 and August 2024 classifying commercial charter flights as general aviation. The routes covered Canada, Costa Rica, Czechia, France, Germany, Ireland, Sweden and the United Kingdom. The FAA also alleges that Planet Nine failed to obtain required overflight or landing permits and did not comply with oceanic and international procedures. Planet Nine has 30 days to respond, and has called the proposed penalty 'a gross overreach' affecting fewer than 0.2 per cent of its flight segments.
Source: ch-aviation; Aviation International News, 4 June 2026.
