Federal Register #2026-21590

FAA Directive Requires Updated GE CF34 Engine Control Software

The FAA issued an airworthiness directive requiring updated control software for specified GE CF34 engines; this is a safety regulation, not a procurement solicitation. - Government buyer and issuing office - U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) - OEM - General Electric Company (GE), manufacturer of the affected CF34 engines and associated EEC FADEC software - Affected engines and required software updates - CF34-8C1, CF34-8C5, CF34-8C5A1, CF34-8C5A2, and CF34-8C5B1 engines with listed EEC FADEC part numbers: replace software version V6.50 or earlier with an eligible version V6.60 or later. - CF34-8E2, CF34-8E2A1, CF34-8E5, CF34-8E5A1, CF34-8E5A2, CF34-8E5A2HA, CF34-8E6, and CF34-8E6A1 engines with listed EEC FADEC part numbers: replace software version V5.60 or earlier with an eligible version V5.70 or later. - The FAA estimates 3,364 engines are affected; 70 also require an upgrade from a three-sector to a seven-sector memory configuration. - Notable requirement - Operators must complete the applicable software replacement within 12 months of the directive’s effective date. - The attachment also describes a separate Class E airspace rule for Northwestern Memorial Healthcare Heliport in DeKalb, Illinois; it is unrelated to the engine software action.

Description

The FAA issued a final airworthiness directive for certain General Electric Company CF34-8C and CF34-8E engines. Prompted by reports of in-flight “Engine Degraded” messages caused by corrosion in the variable geometry system actuator, the directive requires removing certain EEC FADEC software versions from service and installing updated software eligible for installation. The directive is effective November 27, 2026, and applies to 3,364 engines installed on U.S.-registered airplanes; the source estimates that 70 engines will also require a memory upgrade.

View original listing