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(AIN) – Israeli electric aircraft developer Air plans to begin manufacturing electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft in Florida by the end of this year under a partnership with the Florida Department of Transportation, the company announced Aug. 11.

AirSuite will develop a new ground management system with Wisk Air Helicopters to improve coordination between air and ground operations, with support from the Government of Ontario (Canada) through the Ontario Vehicle Innovation Network.

This helicopter, as modified by Skyryse, will have a novel design feature compared with the state of technology envisioned in the airworthiness standards for normal category helicopters, replacing the mechanical flight controls with a digital fly-by-wire system. These special conditions, effective Sep. 11, 2026, contain the additional standards necessary to establish a level of safety equivalent to that of existing airworthiness standards.

Have you taken some great photos of vertical flight aircraft? Let us (and the whole world) see them by entering the 2027 VAI Photo Contest, which is now open for submissions! The top photographer in each of five categories will win $100; the photographer who submits the top-rated photo overall will receive the Grand Prize of $500. Enter today!

The aircraft will replace an AS350 B3 currently in service at the Baltimore (Maryland) County Police Department (BCPD).

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Airbus Helicopters Model AS350B, AS350 BA, AS350 B1, AS350 B2, AS350 B3, AS350D, EC130 B4, and EC130 T2 helicopters. The AD, effective Sep. 10, 2026, requires inspecting the main gear box engine coupling for correct installation and, depending on the results, taking corrective action.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Bell Textron Canada Model 505 helicopters. The AD, which takes effect Sep. 10, 2026, requires a one-time visual inspection for proper installation of the washer on the tail-rotor pitch link assembly and, depending on the results, taking corrective action.

The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2015-20-12 for certain Carson, Croman, Glacier, Robinson Air Crane, Sikorsky, and Siller helicopters regarding the aircraft’s main rotor shafts (MRS). The new AD, effective Sep. 10, 2026, retains some of the requirements of the original rule while reducing the retirement life for a certain MRS installed on certain helicopters, among other details.

(YouTube) – Go behind the scenes of the successful first-ever run of the GT50, the engine that will power Hill Helicopters’ HX50 aircraft. Watch footage from this major milestone, hear from the team that made it happen, and discover what comes next for the development program.

(Vertical Plus) – As workforce shortages continue to pressure operators across the helicopter industry, maintenance leaders say attracting and retaining technicians will require more than simply filling vacancies. The challenge is developing maintainers who understand the pace, accountability, and technical demands of rotary-wing operations, and who are prepared to build long-term careers within them.