ADs Resume after Nearly Three-week Break

After a brief hiatus, Airworthiness Directives (ADs) from the U.S. FAA have once again returned to the Federal Register. The FAA had not published any ADs since U.S. President Donald Trump issued an executive order for a 60-day halt on new rules for a regulatory review nearly three weeks ago. That order also called for a withdrawal of new rules that had already been sent to the Federal Register.

A memorandum from Reince Priebus, assistant to the President and chief of staff, however, referenced exceptions for “emergency situations or other urgent circumstances related to health, safety, financial or national security matters.” The FAA said it had “worked to ensure that no ADs are currently being held.”

Today’s Federal Register includes the first ADs since January 18—three involve Boeing aircraft and another is for Piper Cheyennes and Navajos, as well as two proposed ADs involving a glider and an aerobatic trainer.

In addition, while some questions were initially raised about whether the executive order would push back implementation of the recently released BasicMed rule, the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association said the medical reform remains on track for its May 1 implementation date.