Week to Wednesday, 7 October 2026
FAA proposes software update to lift Praetor and Legacy approach limitations
The FAA proposes a flight-control software update on 340 US-registered Embraer jets. The notice of proposed rulemaking reached the Federal Register on 1 October 2026 under docket FAA-2026-11796. It would supersede AD 2024-05-13, which has constrained the fleet since 10 April 2024. Comments close on 16 November 2026.
Applicability covers all Embraer EMB-545 and EMB-550 aircraft, certificated in any category. The FAA Flight Standardization Board report for type certificate TC00062IB lists the EMB-545 as the Legacy 450 and Praetor 500, and the EMB-550 as the Legacy 500 and Praetor 600. One type rating, EMB-550, covers all four.
The 2024 directive was an interim action. It required a flight manual revision carrying new operational airspeed limitations, plus flight control limitations and approach procedures to follow whenever angle of attack limiter protection engages. It also required a records inspection for limiter engagements and a report to the agency. Brazil's ANAC recorded a hard landing with substantial damage in which the limiter engaged on final approach in unstable air and stayed engaged to touchdown.
Embraer has since built the final fix. The proposal would require loading flight control computer software part number 494910-1011 and incorporating a new flight manual revision, with both flight control computers reidentified. Loading the software terminates the airspeed limitations and the approach procedures the 2024 directive imposed. The records inspection and the reporting requirement are not carried over.
The FAA costs the retained actions at one work-hour, $85 an aircraft and $28,900 fleet-wide. The new actions run to four work-hours, up to $340 an aircraft and up to $115,600 across US operators. Parts cost nothing. The manufacturer told the agency that warranty may cover some or all of the work.
Source: Federal Register, 1 October 2026; govinfo; FAA Flight Standardization Board.
Also this week
FAA proposes new airworthiness limitations for 1,191 AS350 helicopters
The FAA proposes replacing the airworthiness limitations on 1,191 US-registered Airbus AS350 helicopters. The proposal, published on 5 October 2026 under docket FAA-2026-11800, would supersede AD 2026-12-09 and incorporate EASA AD 2026-0102. It reaches the AS350B, AS350BA, AS350B1 and AS350D. Operators would revise the airworthiness limitations section of the maintenance manual and the approved maintenance programme within 12 months of the effective date. The agency cites new and more restrictive limitations and maintenance tasks, set to prevent failure of critical parts and primary structural components. One work-hour at $85 covers the paperwork, or $101,235 fleet-wide. Comments close on 19 November 2026.
Source: Federal Register, 5 October 2026; govinfo.
FAA orders AW139 exhaust clamp checks within 25 service hours
The FAA has ordered a clamp inspection on 57 US-registered Leonardo AW139 helicopters. AD 2026-20-07, under docket FAA-2026-11789, takes effect on 16 October 2026 and skipped the comment stage, because the inspection falls due within 25 hours time in service of that date. A nozzle exhaust duct clamp separated from the engine nozzle duct, came to rest on the tail rotor drive shaft and damaged it. Each inspection runs two work-hours at $85 an hour, $170 an aircraft and $9,690 across US operators. Comments close on 16 November 2026.
Source: Federal Register, 1 October 2026; govinfo.
FAA mandates emergency exit labels across 1,213 Airbus helicopters
New safety labels fall due on 1,213 US-registered Airbus helicopters from 5 November. AD 2026-20-03, under docket FAA-2026-3487, follows a finding that the instructions for opening the sliding door emergency exit are insufficient, which could hinder the door in an emergency and injure occupants. Applicability runs across the AS350 and AS355 families plus the EC120B and EC130B4. Labels cost $105 and fitting takes one work-hour, or $190 an aircraft and $230,470 across US operators. One commenter asked for a pre-order process for the label kits. The agency declined, calling parts distribution outside its scope.
Source: Federal Register, 1 October 2026; govinfo.
NBAA and CJP ask the FAA to pause Citation single-pilot rescissions
NBAA and Citation Jet Pilots have asked the FAA for a 90-day stay. Their 29 September letter went to Hugh Thomas, executive director of the FAA Flight Standards Service, the day the rescission of single-pilot exemptions on the CE-500, CE-550 and CE-560 took effect. The two bodies argue the agency released no underlying data for independent analysis, and did not address whether the two datasets it cited were properly comparable. They want compliant operators separated from problem holders, and an industry working group formed. A stay would not block enforcement against a named operator.
Source: NBAA, 30 September 2026.
FAA proposes high-altitude special conditions for the HondaJet Echelon
The FAA proposes special conditions for Honda Aircraft's HA-480 at 47,000 feet. Part 23 carries no adequate standard for normal category aircraft above 41,000 feet, so the agency is writing one. The proposal, published on 5 October 2026 under docket FAA-2025-5730, addresses pressure vessel integrity at the higher differential pressures. It would apply a factor of 1.67 to the maximum relief valve pressure in section 23.2225(c)(3). The HA-480, marketed as the Echelon, is a derivative of the HA-420 on type certificate A00018AT, seating up to 11 passengers at 17,550 pounds. Comments close on 19 November 2026.
Source: Federal Register, 5 October 2026; The Air Current.
Garmin Autoland certified on the Epic E1000 AX turboprop
The FAA has certified Garmin Autoland on the Epic E1000 AX. Epic Aircraft announced the approval on 30 September 2026. The system integrates with the aircraft's Garmin G1000 NXi avionics suite and works alongside Garmin Autothrottle, which manages engine power and guards against speed exceedances. Epic says the E1000 AX is the only aircraft of its kind offering multiple Autoland buttons through the cabin, putting the sequence within a passenger's reach. Chief executive Doug King called the approval the result of years of engineering and testing.
Source: Epic Aircraft, 30 September 2026.
