VTOL Advocate – July 7, 2025

July 7, 2025

VTOL Advocate

6 Minutes

In this issue: Congress passed a $12.5 billion funding bill for air traffic control modernization; Utah and Texas continue building education pathways for the future vertical aviation workforce; VAI Western US Regional Representative Chuck Street reports on his activities; and the challenges and opportunities surrounding advanced air mobility (AAM) in Chile, and the country’s potential to lead AAM development in Latin America.     
 

US Federal Updates

Congress Agrees to $12.5B for ATC Modernization

US State and Local Updates

VAI Participates in Utah Aeronautics Education and Training Summit

Texas Launches Applied Sciences Pathway Program

News from VAI’s Western US Regional Representative

“Word from the Street,” by Chuck Street, VAI Western US Regional Representative

International Updates

The Future of Air Mobility in Chile and Latin America Is Taking Off


US Federal Updates

VAI has been an active participant in the Modern Skies Coalition—a broad alliance of aviation and aerospace organizations advocating for targeted investment in ATC technology and facilities. The coalition has worked to ensure that modernization remains a priority amid growing operational demands and persistent system strain.

The $12.5 billion represents a critical first step—a down payment—in the long-term process of transforming the National Airspace System (NAS) to better serve current and future aviation users, including the vertical aviation community.

Modernization isn’t optional; it’s a safety imperative and a prerequisite for accommodating emerging vertical aircraft and operations. This funding marks meaningful progress toward those goals, and VAI looks forward to continued engagement with the FAA and Congress to ensure that the funding is implemented effectively and sustained in the years ahead.

US State and Local Updates

The summit offered hands-on labs and interactive classes to discuss the latest trends and technologies shaping the aviation industry. During the event, Clark held a class for the Utah Rotor Pathway Program (URPP) to discuss further workforce development outreach opportunities in Utah. The URPP brings together industry, universities, and high schools to provide helicopter pilot and maintenance training at the secondary-school level.

On Jun. 28, the Logan-Cache Airport (KLGU) hosted a career fair and air show for the community. VAI members participating in the fair included Southern Utah University and Life Flight.

  • All interested 11th- and 12th-grade students at participating schools must be allowed to enroll
  • Partnerships will be created between school districts or open-enrollment charter schools and institutions of higher education.

News from VAI’s Western US Regional Representative

The past few weeks have been active in California, particularly regarding the proposed elimination of five helicopter routes near Los Angeles International Airport (KLAX). The KLAX tower manager initially announced the routes would be discontinued on Aug. 7, despite the absence of a safety risk management (SRM) panel review.

Following discussions with the tower manager, the decision was put on hold pending the outcome of an SRM panel review, scheduled for Aug. 19–20. VAI will participate in the review, and I’m currently in touch with local helicopter operators who may be nominated to serve on the panel. More updates will follow.

International Updates

The event convened key stakeholders from Chile and abroad, including the director of the Chilean Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGAC); officials from the Ministry of Transport and Telecommunications (MTT); air traffic management experts and unmanned aircraft system traffic management experts from Airbus; and drone operators from Chile, Colombia, and Spain.

Speakers included ACHHEL President Loreto Moraga and representatives from the DGAC and the MTT, who addressed the challenges and opportunities surrounding advanced air mobility (AAM) in Chile. The discussion emphasized the country’s potential to lead AAM development in Latin America.

We thank the organizers, experts, and participants for a successful event and encourage continued dialogue at the next EXPODRON 2025, Chile’s premier event focused on unmanned aircraft systems, electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft, and next-generation air mobility technologies, to be held Oct. 14–15 at Club Hípico de Santiago.