Freestream Aircraft

Monday, 17 August 2026

FAA finalises Gulfstream 200 fatigue directive effective 18 September

The FAA has adopted a new Gulfstream 200 airworthiness directive. The final rule was published in the Federal Register on 14 August 2026. It becomes effective on 18 September 2026. The scope covers all Gulfstream Aerospace LP Model Gulfstream 200 and Galaxy airplanes, in any category.

The action addresses fatigue damage in principal structural elements. Left unaddressed, the FAA states, the condition could reduce airframe structural integrity. The Civil Aviation Authority of Israel triggered the process with its own directive, ISR I-05-2025-09-1, dated 1 September 2025. The FAA followed with a notice of proposed rulemaking on 5 June 2026, drew no comments, and issued the final rule as proposed.

Compliance requires each affected operator to revise its maintenance or inspection programme. The revisions incorporate new airworthiness limitations from Section 05-10-10 and Section 05-10-11 of the G200 Maintenance Manual, Revision 39, dated 15 August 2025. Initial compliance falls due at the applicable inspection or discard interval named in the CAAI directive, or within 90 days of the AD's effective date, whichever is later. Alternative methods of compliance may be approved by the manager of the FAA's International Validation Branch under 14 CFR 39.19.

The FAA estimates 163 US-registered aircraft in scope. The average total cost per operator is put at $7,650, based on 90 work-hours at $85 per hour. The agency notes the per-operator estimate reflects that programme revisions cover each affected fleet, rather than each airframe.

The AD carries docket number FAA-2026-4652 and amendment 39-23439. Paul R. Bernado, acting director of the FAA's Compliance and Airworthiness Division, signed the rule on 3 August 2026.

Source: Federal Register, AD 2026-16-09, 14 August 2026.


Also today

Pilatus opens CHF 100m Schwarzhorn composite centre in Nidwalden

Pilatus opened its Schwarzhorn composite competence centre in Nidwalden last week. The Swiss OEM invested around CHF 100 million ($123 million) in the building, its largest single-facility outlay to date. The site brings composite development and production under one roof and provides workspaces for about 300 employees. The PC-24 twinjet is the first Pilatus type with a primary structural composite component. Rooftop and façade photovoltaic arrays, process waste-heat recovery and groundwater cooling support a targeted LEED Platinum rating. Chief executive Markus Bucher framed the project as a commitment to Swiss innovation, manufacturing and training.

Source: Aviation International News, 14 August 2026; Luftfahrtmagazin, 15 August 2026.

NBAA urges FAA to limit aircraft registry data distribution

NBAA has asked the FAA to keep aircraft registry data narrowly scoped. The association's 12 August 2026 statement responds to a Section 803 stakeholder consultation. Section 803 of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024 limits public dissemination of aircraft registry information. NBAA coordinated the response with AOPA, EAA and Vertical Aviation International. Doug Carr, NBAA senior vice-president for international operations, said the coalition reinforced the registry's original safety and record-security purpose. The FAA is separately renewing its Privacy ICAO Address information collection, notice published 17 August 2026.

Source: NBAA, 12 August 2026; Federal Register, 17 August 2026.