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The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) determined the probable cause of this fatal accident to be the pilot’s abrupt control inputs, which resulted in a low-G condition, main-rotor mast bumping, and subsequent severing of the tail boom by the main-rotor blades.

The FAA and the National Park Service invite those interested to apply to fill two current and three upcoming vacancies on the National Parks Overflights Advisory Group. The current vacancies are for a representative of Native American tribes and a representative of general aviation. The upcoming openings are for two representatives of environmental concerns and one representative of commercial air tour operators. Applications must be received by Aug. 10, 2026.

The team at EAGLE, the Eliminate Aviation Gasoline Lead Emissions Initiative, explains why the FAA’s careful plan for a phased transition to unleaded avgas is so important to the future of general aviation. EAGLE industry members, which includes VAI, support the transition but emphasize the need for continued testing, data, communication, and flexibility to address fuel compatibility, cost, maintenance, infrastructure, and other unresolved issues.

The FAA proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2022-01-01, which applies to several Airbus Helicopters Series AS350, AS355, AS365, EC130, and SA 365 helicopters. AD 2022-01-01 requires applying alignment markings on, and performing repetitive inspections of, the main-rotor pitch rod upper links and, depending on the findings, taking applicable corrective action. Since the FAA issued AD 2022-01-01, the manufacturer designed a new pitch rod lever axis attachment screw and issued applicable modification material as an alternative option. This proposed AD would retain all the actions of the previous AD and allow the modification as a terminating action to the repetitive inspections and corrective actions, among other requirements. Comments on this notice of proposed rulemaking are due by Sep. 14.

The FAA today pre-released its Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) for the unmanned aircraft system (UAS) drone delivery Programmatic Environmental Assessment (PEA). VAI’s engagement on the issue ensured that the operational realities of the shared low-altitude airspace were formally considered and addressed in the FAA’s final decision.

The VAI team enjoyed a pleasant surprise last week when US Department of Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy stopped by the new Vertical Lift Center during the EAA AirVenture air show in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. The facility, cosponsored by VAI and Robinson Helicopter Co., displayed helicopters and electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft while promoting rotorcraft education, industry recruitment, and innovative technology in the vertical lift industry.

The US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) on Jul. 24 adopted rules to auction 160 MHz of spectrum in the Upper C-band (3.98–4.14 GHz) by July 2027. VAI Director of Regulatory Affairs Amber Harrison explains what this new development means for vertical aviation.

(Unmanned Airspace) – For advanced air mobility (AAM) aircraft developers speaking at last week’s Farnborough International Airshow, civil certification is only another step along the way to bringing artificial intelligence, autonomy, more capable drone logistics, and new forms of hybrid electric propulsion into the market.

Robinson Helicopter Co. President and CEO David Smith and VAI President and CEO François Lassale joined EAA Radio’s Digital Dave and Fast Eddie to talk vertical aviation Jul. 20 at EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. The focus of their discussion? The spectacular Vertical Lift Center, which debuted at this year’s show and was cosponsored by VAI and Robinson.