Rotorcraft Regulatory Changes Based on European Joint Aviation Requirements

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is amending the airworthiness standards for normal and transport category rotorcraft. The changes revise airworthiness standards for performance, systems, propulsion, and airframes. The changes increase the regulatory safety level, clarify existing regulations, and standardize terminology. The changes are based on standards incorporated by the European Joint Aviation Authorities (JAA) for Joint Aviation Requirements (JAR) 27 and 29. These changes are intended to harmonize the U.S. rotorcraft airworthiness standards with the European JAR.