Welcome to the final VTOL Advocate newsletter of the year! Thank you so much for reading and staying with us throughout 2025. We look forward to continuing to share updates on federal, state, and international issues. The VAI Government Affairs team wishes you a happy holiday season. Federal Updates VAI Welcomes US Advanced Air Mobility National Strategy Congress Introduces Act to Boost Domestic Sustainable Aviation Fuel International Updates Medical Certification Requirements for TRIs, TREs Federal Updates VAI Welcomes US Advanced Air Mobility National Strategy Summary of Facts VAI welcomes the release of the US Department of Transportation’s Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) National Strategy, a whole-of-government framework outlining how the United States plans to integrate AAM aircraft, including electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) and other powered-lift vehicles, into the national transportation system over the next decade. The strategy establishes federal priorities for airspace integration, infrastructure, security, workforce development, autonomy, and community engagement, with a strong emphasis on safety, scalability, and economic competitiveness. Released Dec. 17 on the 122nd anniversary of the Wright brothers’ first flight, the strategy is intended to accelerate the development and deployment of AAM technologies and support their safe integration into US airspace, reinforcing US leadership in AAM and aviation more broadly. VAI President and CEO François Lassale joined US Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy and senior FAA officials at the strategy’s release to express industry support. In his remarks, Lassale described the strategy as a clear, coordinated roadmap to safely integrate new aviation technologies, strengthen the US workforce and supply chain, and expand access to critical rotorcraft missions and future air services nationwide. “The strategy is an important signal from the US federal government,” said Lassale. “It makes clear that the next generation of powered-lift aircraft are not a concept. They are a developing operational reality that requires deliberate and thoughtful integration into the existing aviation system as FAA certification and standards advance.” The strategy outlines a phased approach to AAM integration. Near-term operations are expected to rely on existing aviation frameworks, including piloted aircraft operating from current airports and heliports. Over time, the federal government anticipates expanded operations, new infrastructure such as vertiports, and increased automation as technologies mature. The strategy highlights several areas directly relevant to VAI members: Airspace: Modernization of low-altitude airspace management, coordinated with ongoing FAA air traffic control upgrades Infrastructure: Use of existing airports and heliports in early phases, with gradual development of vertiports guided by FAA standards Workforce: Recognition that pilots, maintenance technicians, engineers, and safety professionals trained in vertical flight will remain central to AAM operations Safety and security: Application of established FAA and Transportation Security Administration frameworks for initial operations, with future requirements informed by risk-based analysis. Vertical aviation already performs many of the missions envisioned for AAM, including emergency response, medical transport, utility support, and operations in complex low-level environments. The AAM National Strategy appropriately recognizes the value of this operational experience and its relevance to future AAM integration. VAI Position and Actions VAI appreciates the Trump administration’s leadership in advancing American ingenuity, and we strongly support the AAM National Strategy, which provides a clear, coordinated vision for integrating new aviation capabilities safely and responsibly. VAI also notes that the strategy underscores the need for sustained industry engagement as federal agencies translate policy into rulemaking, guidance, and investment decisions. As implementation moves forward, VAI will continue working with policymakers and the industry to advance the next generation of vertical aircraft and support their seamless integration into the broader aviation system. Congress Introduces Act to Boost Domestic Sustainable Aviation Fuel Summary of Facts The Securing America’s Fuels Act was introduced earlier this month in the US House of Representatives by Reps. Mike Flood (R-Neb.-01), Sharice Davids (D-Kans.-03), Troy Carter (D-La.-02), and Tracey Mann (R-Kans.-01). The bipartisan legislation aims to strengthen the domestic sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) industry by restoring and extending key tax incentives, providing long-term certainty, and supporting innovation, job creation, and emissions reductions. The bill restores the SAF bonus credit of up to $1.75 per gallon for qualifying producers, which was eliminated in recent budget actions, and extends the Section 45Z clean fuel production credit for all clean fuels through 2033. The legislation also establishes a new investment tax credit to help finance SAF production facilities and infrastructure; authorizes federal funding for research to further reduce SAF life-cycle emissions; and supports US-based projects. Collectively, these provisions are intended to make SAF more economically viable, expand market opportunities for farmers, create jobs in rural communities, and strengthen US energy independence. The bill has garnered strong industry support and represents a significant legislative effort to scale up SAF production in the United States. VAI Position and Actions VAI supports the Securing America’s Fuels Act as an important step toward expanding sustainable aviation fuel production in the United States. By restoring and extending key tax incentives and providing long-term investment certainty, the bill helps accelerate SAF deployment, strengthen domestic supply chains, and advance sustainability goals across the vertical flight industry. International Updates Medical Certification Requirements for TRIs, TREs Summary of Facts The European Helicopter Association (EHA) has identified a lack of harmonization among European Union member states regarding medical certification requirements for type rating instructors (TRIs) and type rating examiners (TREs). While some national authorities permit TRIs and TREs conducting noncommercial instruction to hold a Class 2 medical certificate, others require a Class 1. This inconsistency stems from Part-FCL (flight crew licensing); specifically, FCL.915.TRI, which references holding a CPL (commercial pilot license), MPL (multicrew pilot license), or ATPL (airline transport pilot license)—each of which requires a Class 1 medical—but does not explicitly restate medical requirements for TRI or TRE privileges. As a result, member states have adopted differing interpretations, restricting otherwise qualified and experienced instructors. EHA considers that the lack of clarity in Part-FCL and the associated AMC/GM (acceptable means of compliance/guidance material) undermines regulatory harmonization, creates administrative inefficiencies for training organizations, and unnecessarily limits instructor availability in the rotorcraft sector. The impact is particularly acute in specialized and resource-constrained areas such as helicopter air ambulance, offshore, and mountain operations. From a safety perspective, there is no evidence that permitting TRIs and TREs to conduct noncommercial instruction with a Class 2 medical certificate reduces safety margins. EHA therefore urges the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) to clarify that TRIs and TREs engaged in noncommercial instruction may operate with a Class 2 medical, aligning their requirements with those of flight instructors and ensuring consistent application across EU member states. Such clarification would help retain experienced instructors, support harmonized implementation of EASA rules, reduce administrative burdens, and maintain high safety standards across the rotorcraft training community. EHA’s Position and Actions EHA considers that the regulatory inconsistency regarding TRI/TRE medical certification undermines harmonization and creates unnecessary barriers to retaining qualified instructors. Evidence supports permitting Class 2 medicals for noncommercial instruction without compromising safety. Aligning TRI/TRE requirements with those of flight instructors by allowing Class 2 certification for noncommercial instruction would enhance regulatory consistency, sustain instructor capacity, and maintain safety. EHA urges EASA to address this issue through targeted regulatory clarification. EHA’s recommendations: Regulatory clarification: Amend AMC/GM or Part-FCL to explicitly allow TRIs and TREs conducting noncommercial instruction to operate with a Class 2 medical certificate. Differentiated requirements: Establish distinct medical standards for commercial and noncommercial instruction, following the existing flight instructor model. Guidance to competent authorities: Issue uniform implementation guidance to ensure consistent interpretation across EU member states. Monitoring and review: Evaluate safety and training outcomes after implementation to confirm effectiveness.
