Federal Updates VAI Urges Industry Members to Comment on Proposed Drone Regulations Potential Government Shutdown: What It Means for Aviation FAA Launches Integration Pilot Program for eVTOL, AAM Aircraft State and Local Updates VAI Highlights Workforce Development at NASAO Conference News From VAI’s Northeastern US Regional Representative “Advocacy in Action,” by Josh Rousseau, VAI Northeastern US Regional Representative __________________________________ Federal Updates VAI Urges Industry Members to Comment on Proposed Drone Regulations Summary of Facts The FAA has proposed a new rule, Normalizing Unmanned Aircraft Systems Beyond Visual Line of Sight Operations (BVLOS), also known as Part 108, to expand BVLOS drone operations. The proposed rule introduces significant changes to how aircraft share the low-altitude airspace where vertical flight operations routinely take place. VAI fully supports safe drone integration and recognizes the importance of advancing BVLOS operations for unmanned aircraft systems (UAS). At the same time, it is essential that the proposal be improved to reflect the realities of manned vertical flight operations and the important missions these aircraft perform. The proposed rule relies on inaccurate assumptions about the low-altitude environment, proposes significant changes to long-standing right-of-way rules, and risks creating unnecessary hazards in the airspace. VAI has drafted comments on the proposed rule that highlight several areas for improvement: The FAA’s statement that manned aircraft don’t operate within 400 ft. of structures is incorrect and therefore must not form the basis of safety analyses. Right-of-way rules must continue to protect the least maneuverable aircraft; manned aircraft should retain precedence over UAS within the right-of-way hierarchy. Detect-and-avoid systems must include redundant, overlapping systems (including onboard broadcast receivers for UAS systems and visual and/or acoustic systems) as part of a phased approach to ensure reliable avoidance maneuvers upon the effective date of Part 108. Shielded operations must be restricted to ensure that no manned aircraft are operating in the areas where UAS would have shielded protections. Recreational operations should not be permitted under Part 108 at this time. The 400 ft. above ground level flight area for UAS should be maintained unless exceeding that level is required to ensure safety. When such an exceedance is required, it should always be limited to no more than 100 ft. above a structure and only be permitted as needed for temporary transit. With targeted revisions, the FAA has an opportunity to strengthen the proposal and ensure that BVLOS integration enhances, rather than compromises, the safety and efficiency of the US National Airspace System. VAI Position and Actions VAI calls on all its members to review the association’s comments and submit them, along with any of their own perspectives, to the FAA. Comments are due Oct. 6. VAI’s comments will be made available on VAI’s website on Tuesday, Sep. 30. We also strongly encourage our members outside of the United States to submit comments. While the FAA is a US regulator, its rules often set global precedents and influence international aviation standards. Input from non-US operators will help ensure that the rule reflects the realities of vertical flight worldwide. It is imperative that the FAA receive as much consistent feedback as possible. The more aligned the input the FAA receives, the stronger our collective voice will be in shaping the final rule. Potential Government Shutdown: What It Means for Aviation Summary of Facts Congress returned to Washington, D.C., today, Monday, Sep. 29, facing an urgent funding deadline. Without action before midnight on Tuesday, Sep. 30, the government will shut down on Wednesday, Oct. 1. To avoid a shutdown, Congress must pass either a short-term continuing resolution (CR) or 12 separate full-year funding bills (not possible before the deadline). Because funding bills require 60 votes in the Senate, at least seven Senate Democrats will need to support any proposal if all Republicans vote in favor. The aviation community, including VAI, has urged Congress to prevent a shutdown. Even short shutdowns, or last-minute threats that are averted, disrupt the National Airspace System (NAS), which handles 45,000 flights, 2.9 million passengers, and 59,000 tons of cargo per day across 29 million square miles of airspace. Shutdowns directly harm the FAA’s ability to: Hire and train new air traffic controllers Implement safety initiatives Conduct maintenance on and repair critical equipment Carry out aircraft inspections and pilot checkrides. Advance modernization and infrastructure projects. When air traffic controllers and other essential safety staff work without pay, thousands of FAA employees are furloughed, creating delays and backlogs long after funding resumes. This worsens the ongoing air traffic controller staffing shortage by halting hiring and closing the FAA training academy in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The broader economic impact is also significant. Commercial aviation contributes over 5% of US GDP ($1.37 trillion in 2023) and supports more than 10 million jobs. The 35-day shutdown in 2018–2019 cost the economy $3 billion in permanent losses, according to the Congressional Budget Office. VAI Position and Actions Earlier this year, the aviation community, including VAI, launched the Modern Skies Coalition, endorsing Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy’s efforts to expand air traffic controller hiring and modernize the air traffic control system. Congress has already approved $12.5 billion toward modernization, with at least $19 billion more needed. A shutdown now would jeopardize this progress. VAI urges Congress to act immediately to avoid a government shutdown and the subsequent harm to the FAA, its workforce, the aviation industry, and the traveling public. FAA Launches Integration Pilot Program for eVTOL, AAM Aircraft Summary of Facts On Sep. 12, the FAA released the Screening Information Request (SIR) for the Electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing Integration Pilot Program (eIPP), an initiative led by the FAA’s Unmanned Aircraft Systems Integration Office (AUS). The eIPP stems from Executive Order (EO) 14307: Unleashing American Drone Dominance (Jun. 6, 2025), which established US policy to accelerate safe commercialization of UAS and fully integrate electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) and other advanced air mobility (AAM) operations into the National Airspace System (NAS). The EO directed the secretary of transportation, through the FAA administrator and in coordination with the Office of Science and Technology Policy, to launch an integration pilot program. Under the eIPP: Eligible applicants are state, local, tribal, and territorial (SLTT) governments partnered with private-sector organizations experienced in eVTOL/AAM development, manufacturing, operations, or enabling technologies The SLTTs act as hosts for operations and planning while representing local community interests The objective is to deliver collaborative projects that advance AAM integration while meeting the FAA’s high safety standards. Focus areas of operations: Air taxis: Short-range, on-demand eVTOL flights connecting to ground transport with reduced noise impacts Regional air travel: New fixed-wing aircraft, including short takeoff/landing capabilities, enabling advanced regional mobility Cargo: Use of novel aircraft for goods transport Logistics and emergency services: eVTOL operations for offshore energy, medical transport, and disaster response Automation safety: Demonstrations of automated technologies to enhance safety and efficiency. The FAA intends to award at least five Other Transaction Agreements with SLTT governments under this SIR, with the possibility of additional awards depending on available resources (49 USC §106(l)). Proposals are due electronically via the eIPP portal no later than 3:00 pm eastern (UTC-5) on Dec. 11, 2025. VAI Position and Actions VAI welcomes the launch of the eIPP as a critical step toward safely integrating eVTOL and AAM operations into the NAS. This initiative demonstrates the FAA’s commitment to advancing innovation while maintaining the highest safety standards. VAI encourages collaboration between state, local, tribal, and territorial governments and private-sector partners, noting that successful integration depends on coordination at every level. State and Local Updates VAI Highlights Workforce Development at NASAO Conference Summary of Facts Last week, Katia Veraza, VAI’s assistant director of state government affairs and regional relations, participated in a panel at the annual conference of the National Association of State Aviation Officials (NASAO) in Anchorage, Alaska. Organized by the NASAO Aviation Education Committee, the session presented a strategic “flight plan” for strengthening the aviation workforce. Katia Veraza, VAI’s assistant director of state government affairs and regional relations (far right) at the NASAO conference last week with Mike McHugh (North Dakota Aeronautics Commission), Hetty Carlson (Colorado Division of Aeronautics), and Paula Kedy (Oklahoma Department of Aerospace and Aeronautics). Panelists drew on a report from the Youth Access to American Jobs in Aviation Task Force, an FAA advisory committee, as well as other research to showcase innovative ways of engaging young people in aviation. Veraza highlighted VAI’s Rotor Pathway Program and the association’s ongoing efforts to introduce students to vertical flight careers at an early age. Attendees heard practical strategies and real-world examples to help inspire and prepare future aviation professionals. The session provided actionable ideas and resources for states and communities to expand workforce development initiatives and cultivate the next generation of aviation leaders. VAI Position and Actions VAI welcomed the opportunity to participate at the NASAO conference this year. We strongly advocate introducing students to aviation careers at a young age, recognizing that early exposure is critical to cultivating the next generation of skilled professionals. News From VAI’s Northeastern US Regional Representative “Advocacy in Action,” by Josh Rousseau, VAI Northeastern US Regional Representative It’s been a busy month in New Jersey working alongside dedicated people committed to advancing our industry despite efforts to restrict safe operations, livelihoods, and community contributions. The Eastern Region Helicopter Council (ERHC) annual meeting is one of the most important vertical aviation gatherings in the Northeast United States. It brings together local operators, companies, pilots, and stakeholders to address industry challenges and advance shared priorities. This year’s meeting, Sep. 5–6 in Atlantic City, was the largest to date, and it was an honor to be elected to the ERHC Board of Directors. United by a common vision, VAI and ERHC will continue to lead the region with strength and resilience. Following the event, FAA officials, state and local agencies, operators, and stakeholders met in New Jersey to discuss operational and political challenges facing the region. Alignment on priorities is critical to achieving lasting results for vertical aviation. With decades of experience in urban and confined-area operations, regional operators provide essential expertise in regulatory compliance, infrastructure, workforce development, and safe integration, supporting both current operations and the next generation of vertical aviation. Despite these efforts, some elected officials and advocacy groups continue to pursue actions that could remove aviation from one of the nation’s most productive economic corridors. While local facilities and operators implement measures to address community concerns, open dialogue is often bypassed in favor of letters, legislation, petitions, or media campaigns. This approach undermines effective solutions, leaves real issues unresolved, and risks harming broader discussions about the future of airspace safety, innovation, and integration. The VAI government affairs team is proud to lead the industry in these conversations at all levels. Engaging with talented and passionate aviation professionals this month reinforced the importance of focusing on meaningful results rather than short-term political wins. Progress requires vigilance and action, and VAI’s advocacy continues to keep the industry moving forward safely and sustainably.
