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(AVweb) – Electric aircraft developer AIR announced Aug. 25 that it has partnered with Elmo Motion Control to supply motor-control hardware for its Heavy Lift UAS, an uncrewed vertical takeoff and landing cargo aircraft designed to carry payloads of up to 550 lb.

VAI is offering four scholarships for 2027 to help students, aviation maintenance technicians, and commercial helicopter pilots continue their education and training. Click on the headline above to learn more about each scholarship and how to apply!

There are only six days left to submit nominations for our annual awards program honoring excellence in the vertical flight industry. Nominate your peers, mentors, and others for exceptional service to the vertical aviation community by Monday, Aug. 31, 2026.

Aviation Specialties Unlimited (ASU) announced Aug. 24 that its Lightweight E3 Panoramic Night Vision Goggle (PANO) system has received FAA Technical Standard Order–C164c approval.

FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford recently expressed the agency’s opposition to closing airports across the country, specifically stating that “the FAA is not in favor of closing” Burke Lakefront Airport (KBKL) in Cleveland, Ohio.

The FAA proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2025-17-03, which applies to all Airbus Helicopters Model AS 332L, AS 332L1, AS 332L2, and EC225 LP helicopters. The proposed AD would retain all the requirements of the existing AD plus call for an additional inspection of the emergency sea anchor, among other tasks. Comments on this notice of proposed rulemaking are due by Oct. 8, 2026.

Presidential Proclamation 11055, published on Aug. 19, outlines the Trump administration’s reaction to a Commerce Department report on the effects of imports of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), as well as their parts and components, on the national security of the United States (US).

European Helicopter Association (EHA) Chairman Fredrik Kämpfe visited VAI headquarters last week to meet with VAI President and CEO François Lassale to discuss the two associations’ collaboration and strategic priorities facing the vertical aviation industry. VAI and EHA recently extended their partnership on EUROPEAN ROTORS, which has grown into Europe’s leading vertical aviation event since its founding in 2021.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has determined the probable cause of this fatal accident to be the pilot’s failure to maintain clearance of powerlines during an agricultural application pass.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has determined the probable cause of this accident to be the maintenance personnel’s failure to identify and replace damaged rivet nuts at the air-conditioning louver assembly, which resulted in the separation of the louver assembly from the
helicopter, the louver assembly’s impact with the tail rotor, and subsequent loss of helicopter control.