The Federal Aviation Administration has issued a final rule that widens the inspection program choices available to owners and operators of single-engine turbine-powered airplanes and unmanned aircraft. The rule was published in the Federal Register on November 10, 2026, and takes effect January 11, 2027.
Until now, single-engine turbine-powered airplanes were limited to annual, 100-hour, or progressive inspections. Under the revised rule, these owners may instead adopt an inspection program recommended by the manufacturer or one created by the registered owner or operator, provided the Administrator approves it. The existing options remain available. Unmanned aircraft operating under Part 135 may now follow the same Part 91 inspection rules.
The agency noted that a 1989 update gave turbine-powered rotorcraft these options but left out single-engine turbine airplanes because they were less common at the time. More than 4,500 such airplanes are now registered in the United States, according to the rule.
The rule also extends the deadline for mechanical reliability reports from 72 hours to 96 hours and allows electronic submission. For Part 145 repair stations, it removes the word "current" from a technical data requirement and clarifies when FAA approval of contract maintenance applies. The FAA said repair stations will no longer need to pay for manuals and subscriptions covering aircraft they do not work on.
The FAA estimated an annualized net cost savings of $57.02 million at a seven percent discount rate. One manufacturer estimated savings of about $9,492 per aircraft in 2024 dollars compared with an annual inspection. The agency received 21 comments on the January 2024 proposal.
Source: Federal Register -- https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2026-11-10/html/2026-22953.htm