VAI Global Program

The VAI Global Program coordinates worldwide industry collaboration to maintain and enhance safety and economic viability of the international vertical aviation industry by forging partnerships between industry and worldwide civil aviation authorities. The program is recognized as a Non-Governmental Organization by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and, as such, program members are able to attend and participate in ICAO panels and working groups.

VAI Global is a rebranding of what was formerly the International Federation of Helicopter Associations. The VAI Global Executive Committee comprises senior executives from its 17 member organizations and is the matured phase of what was the VAI International Partnership Program.

The VAI Global Program reflects the full scope of vertical aviation, including helicopters, powered-lift, remotely piloted and unmanned aircraft systems, and advanced air mobility aircraft. The program includes and represents national and regional associations across the Americas, Europe, Africa, and Asia-Pacific.

The VAI Global Program functions daily to advance global safety, professionalism, and operational effectiveness through harmonized, practical regulations, standards, and best practices. It serves as the leading voice of vertical flight before international regulators.

The program’s goals:

• Unite and foster collaboration globally across all vertical aviation associations.
• Consistently strive to maintain & enhance the safety of the global vertical aviation industry
• Provide VAI leaders to support ICAO panels, working groups and activities.
• Represent the full scope of the vertical aviation community, including operators, manufacturers, and services providers.
• Through the wide range of its international associations, forge partnerships with worldwide regulators and standards development organizations.
• Provide and coordinate a forum where industry stakeholders and civil aviation authorities can work together on vertical flight issues.
• Sustain VAI as the face and voice of vertical flight and ensure appropriate representation of the vertical aviation industry in front of international regulatory bodies.
• Supports the actions of regional associations, aviation authorities, and industry stakeholders

VAI and its partners agree to work together to:

• Provide their members with services that directly benefit their operations
• Promote, produce, and deliver programs that improve industry safety
• Collaborate with regulatory and legislative authorities to promote industry objectives
• Educate key stakeholders on the unique contributions vertical flight offers society, and to foster public confidence in the value and safety of vertical lift operations
• Facilitate an open exchange of information among rotorcraft owners, operators, customers, pilots, aeronautical engineers, and other industry stakeholders
• Promote professionalism, economic viability, and integrity within the vertical flight industry.

The VAI Global Program goes beyond a simple affiliate relationship. While VAI’s affiliate program recognizes other nonprofit organizations with aligned purposes and values, VAI Global establishes a structured collaboration among international vertical aviation associations. Through this program, associations coordinate advocacy, share best practices, and represent the global industry with a unified voice before international regulators, including ICAO.