Download PDF View Digital Issue Last Hover: Frank Carson (POWER UP) – Founder of Carson Helicopters is remembered as an industry visionary. VAI Out & About: Flying with Magnum Helicopters (POWER UP) – Hosting the VAI Air Tour Safety Conference in Hawaii created a perfect opportunity to visit the Honolulu-based member. Fly Safe: Use a FRAT to Avoid Going SPLAT (POWER UP) – A step-by-step process for managing operational risk. Accident Recovery: Too Many Shades of Gray (POWER UP) – Regulatory ambiguity, inadequate oversight lead to preventable tragedy. Flight Path: Chris Baur (POWER UP) – Q&A with a pilot and aerospace executive from The Woodlands, Texas, who currently serves as co-chair of the US Helicopter Safety Team. Member Focus: Priority 1 Air Rescue (POWER UP) – VAI member Priority 1 Air Rescue provides a range of special mission training for search-and-rescue and air ambulance services. FlyOver: Cedar Breaks, Utah, USA (POWER UP) – AirLife 3 pilot Craig Shilling and flight nurse Kate Hampson fly over Cedar Breaks, Utah. Retired US Army Aviator Linda McDonald DuMoulin (POWER UP) – Pioneer cracked glass ceiling for women as a US Army pilot. VAI Finalizes Rebranding with New Website, Publications (POWER UP) – VAI has completed the rebranding of the association with the launch of new communication tools, including an updated website, a refreshed daily newsletter, and a redesigned magazine. Robinson’s New Era (POWER UP) – Under new leadership, the OEM eyes expansion in an evolving market. Solving the BVLOS Challenge (POWER UP) – VAI advocates for safe, fair beyond-visual-line-of-sight rules. James Viola, VAI President and CEO, Is 2024 Recipient of Wesley L. McDonald Distinguished Statesmen of Aviation Award (POWER UP) – The award, presented annually since 1954 by the National Aeronautic Association (NAA), honors individuals who have significantly contributed to the advancement of US aerospace for at least two decades while demonstrating patriotism, integrity, and moral courage. VAI Introduces VERTICON (POWER UP) – VAI enters an exciting new chapter in 2025 as the association formerly known as Helicopter Association International prepares to produce the inaugural VERTICON trade show, which takes place Mar. 10–13 (exhibits open Mar. 11–13) in Dallas, Texas. Advocating for You: 2024 Year in Review (POWER UP) – A transformative year for US aviation sets the stage for key priorities in 2025. President’s Message: The Best Way to Honor Our First Responders (POWER UP) – Strengthening vertical aviation will improve disaster response. From the Board: Powering Up Service (POWER UP) – We need your help to achieve our goals for the industry. VAI Event Highlights Air Tour Safety (POWER UP) – Inaugural conference provides operators with practical ways to improve safety. Report from Chile: Working Together for Vertical Aviation (POWER UP) – A global trend toward stricter regulation underscores the need for collaboration across our industry. Integrating Drones into Your Operation (POWER UP) – Use these aircraft to supplement your helicopter operations while improving safety and lowering costs. VAI Adopts New Bylaws (POWER UP) – VAI has adopted new bylaws to address the vertical flight industry’s rapid growth and diversification. VAI Debriefs seek to break down complex FAA regulations (POWER UP) – VAI has launched VAI Debriefs—a series of concise, easy-to-read guides to keep our members informed about the latest FAA regulations. EUROPEAN ROTORS 2024 a Major Success (POWER UP) – Held from Nov. 4–7, 2024, at the RAI Amsterdam convention center in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, the annual event attracted over 4,600 participants from across the globe.
