VAI/Mark Bennett Photo
2026 US national helicopter route chart update
A summary of helicopter route charts that are completed, in development, and undergoing ongoing modernization as of October 2026.
The FAA has updated most of its helicopter route charts for the United States and is nearing completion of updates to charts for Dallas–Fort Worth, Los Angeles, and New York. The agency is also looking ahead to a new chart for Las Vegas next summer.
The current updates are:
Completed
- Baltimore, Maryland–Washington, D.C.
- Chicago, Illinois
- Detroit, Michigan
- Grand Canyon
- Houston, Texas
- US Gulf Coast
Ongoing Modernization and Updated Timelines
- Boston, Massachusetts (on track for Oct. 29, 2026, publication)
- Dallas–Fort Worth, Texas; Los Angeles, California; and New York, New York (realigned to Dec. 24, 2026, publication)
New Development
- Las Vegas, Nevada (in progress and expected to be completed by July 2027)
In developing and assessing helicopter routes, the FAA establishes task forces to facilitate discussion between the agency and operators about the routes and their effect on local operator communities. Once the task forces have completed their work, a safety risk management panel comprising representatives of the FAA, the National Air Traffic Controllers Association, and operators is convened to ensure that the proposed changes don’t introduce additional hazards into the National Airspace System (NAS).
In Los Angeles, where task force meetings are continuing, work is ongoing toward the creation of a new local helicopter symposium to enhance coordination between the FAA and the vertical aviation industry on the route updates and other important issues.
VAI has been working closely with the FAA at both the federal and local levels to ensure that the needs of the vertical flight community are met as changes are made to the NAS.
