Stage: Final Publications

Regulatory Agency Final Publications

FAA AC 135-44, Part 135 Operator Aircraft Configuration Inspection

This AC provides information
concerning the placement of aircraft into service for Title 14 of the Code of Federal
Regulations (14 CFR) part 135 commuter and on-demand operations. This AC describes an acceptable means,
but not the only means, to demonstrate the aircraft to be operated is configured to the
operational requirements of 14 CFR part 135. The terms “should” and “recommend” are
used when following the guidance is recommended but not required to comply with
this AC.

EASA ED Decision 2026/001/R, New air mobility | Continuing airworthiness rules for electric- and hybrid-propulsion aircraft and other non-conventional aircraft

The objective of this Decision is to issue amendments to CS-MCSD to support the implementation of Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/111 as regards the continuing airworthiness for electric- and hybrid-propulsion aircraft and other non-conventional aircraft.

The amendments adapt CS-MCSD so that they can be considered by type-certificate applicants when identifying in the operational suitability data (OSD) of certain aircraft, namely new air mobility aircraft, the training requirements for maintenance certifying staff, since such training is not defined in Annex III (Part-66) to Commission Regulation (EU) No 1321/2014 for such aircraft.

The update of CS-MCSD, together with the requirements of Appendix III ‘Aircraft type training and examination standard’ to Annex III (Part-66), shall form the basis for the development and approval of Part-66 type-rating training courses for new air mobility aircraft.

Overall, this Decision is intended to facilitate new air mobility aircraft applicants’ compliance with the OSD requirements by using the specifications contained in CS-MCSD Issue 2

FAA Order 8130.2L, Airworthiness Certification of Aircraft

This order establishes policies and procedures for issuing airworthiness certificates, export
certificates of airworthiness, and special flight authorizations for aircraft. This order applies to
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) aviation safety inspectors and certain persons designated
to act as representatives of the FAA.
If this order is utilized by persons other than the FAA or the Administrator’s designees, it is a
guidance document. Its content is not legally binding in its own right and will not be relied upon
by the Department as a separate basis for affirmative enforcement action or other administrative
penalties. Conformity with the guidance document is voluntary only. Nonconformity will not
affect rights and obligations under existing statutes and regulations.

FAA Notice N 8900.766, Determine Applicant Readiness for Certification

The purpose of this notice is to provide information for and assist
Office Managers (OM), Front Line Managers (FLM), or office points of contact (POC) who are
working with applicants applying for an Air Carrier Certificate, Operating Certificate, or Air
Agency Certificate; or the issuance of management specifications (MSpecs) in accordance with
Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) parts 91 subpart K (part 91K), 125, 133,
135, 137, 141, 142, 145, and 147. The scope and intent of this notice is to supplement Federal
Aviation Administration (FAA) Order 8900.1, Volume 2, Air Operator and Air Agency
Certification and Application Process; and Volume 10, Chapter 12, Certification Services
Oversight Process.

EASA Opinion No 01/2026 Regular update of the air operations rules

This Opinion proposes to amend the European Union (EU) regulatory framework for air operations with  aeroplanes and helicopters to:

  • introduce new requirements on the duties, responsibilities and training of operations control personnel (OCP), including assessment to ensure their continuous competence;
  • align the EU legal framework with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards on extended diversion time operations (EDTO), including the introduction of targeted amendments to the existing extended range operations with two-engined aeroplanes (ETOPS) provisions;
  • introduce additional improvements to the requirements considering the lessons learnt from their implementation and standardisation inspections, taking into account ICAO Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs) and applicable safety recommendations.

The proposed regulatory material is expected to maintain, and in some cases enhance, the level of safety while providing benefits to stakeholders in terms of efficiency and cost-effectiveness. The amendments are also expected to ensure alignment with ICAO. These proposals have low to very low economic impact, and no impact on environment.