Older helicopters get a permanent fix for cracking, ending repeated inspections

The US aviation regulator has updated rules for certain Leonardo S.p.A. helicopters. This change means helicopter owners can install a permanent fix for a known cracking problem, instead of doing repeated inspections.

For years, operators of these helicopters had to regularly check for cracks in a critical structural area. This was an ongoing cost and a logistical headache. Now, they can install a modification that eliminates the need for those checks entirely, which means less downtime and lower maintenance costs over the helicopter's lifespan.