One example of a cowling assembly for a rotorcraft (100) includes a stationary fairing (301) affixed to an airframe of the rotorcraft (100), an articulated fairing (303) hinged on the stationary fairing (301) for articulation relative to the stationary fairing (301) between a closed position, a first partially open maintenance position and a second fully open maintenance position. The articulated fairing (303) is supported in the first maintenance position by a for example gas-charged strut (401) and is releasably locked in the second maintenance position against the stationary fairing (301) by a locking mechanism. The locking mechanism includes a latch blade (307) disposed on the stationary fairing (303) and a latch arranged on the articulated fairing (303), wherein a latch pin engages with a hole or recess in the latch blade (307) when the latch blade (307) extends through a slot (308) in the articulated fairing (303).