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The US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has announced it will vote on Jul. 22 on a plan to auction off 160 MHz of Upper C-Band spectrum (3.98–4.14 GHz) next year. The forthcoming spectrum sale requires coordination with the aviation industry, which uses nearby spectrum for radio altimeters.

The FAA proposes to amend the regulations for certificated mechanics by replacing the inspection authorization with an inspection rating on a mechanic’s certificate, similar to the existing airframe and powerplant ratings. Comments on this notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) are due by Aug. 31.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain MD Helicopters Model 369D, 369E, 369F, 369FF, 369H, and MD 500N helicopters. Prompted by a report of mechanical damage to the main transmission driveshaft coupling, this proposed AD would require a one-time visual inspection of the couplings for cracks of the splines and, depending on the results, replacement of the couplings. Comments on this notice of proposed rulemaking are due by Aug. 17.

(Urban Air Mobility) – The electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) cargo aircraft maker has begun the process to certify the Hili aircraft with the General Civil Aviation Authority of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The aircraft is being developed to transport payloads of up to 250 kg (551 lb.) over distances of up to 700 km (435 miles).

The FAA’s 48th annual General Aviation and Part 135 Activity Survey (GA Survey), reporting on calendar year 2025, is still underway, but time is running out to respond! The last day aircraft owners and operators can respond is Friday, Jul. 10, 2026. VAI highly encourages participation in the survey, whose data is used by governmental agencies and industry organizations to compute safety metrics, determine funding for infrastructure and service needs, and more.

The move, effective Jun. 29, establishes Honeywell Aerospace as an independent, publicly traded company in the aerospace and defense industry.

Reiser Simulation and Training and Varjo hosted an “Experience Day” Jun. 24 in Berg, Germany, showcasing high-fidelity extended-reality (XR) simulation for civil aviation, aerospace, defense, and training communities. The event featured expert talks and live demonstrations highlighting mixed reality’s role in closing gaps between evolving operational demands and traditional training capabilities.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH Model EC135 P1, EC135 P2, EC135 P2+, EC135 P3, EC135 T1, EC135 T2, EC135 T2+, EC135 T3, and EC635 T2+ helicopters. This proposed AD was prompted by a report of a separated tail-rotor blade (TRB) assembly due to a crack caused by intergranular corrosion. This proposed AD would require repetitively inspecting a certain TRB assembly for cracks and, depending on the results, removing any cracked TRB assembly from service and replacing an affected part as terminating action for the repetitive inspections. This proposed AD would also prohibit installing a certain TRB assembly on any helicopter unless certain requirements are met. Comments on this notice of proposed rulemaking are due by Aug. 13.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus Helicopters Model H160-B helicopters. This AD was prompted by a discovery during a maintenance operation that several self-locking nuts of the window jettisoning system could be loosened by hand due to a nonconformity in certain cable kits. This AD requires modifying each affected window into a serviceable window and prohibits installing an affected window or an affected door on any helicopter. The AD is effective Aug. 3.

(HeliOps magazine) – HeliOps sits down with VAI President and CEO François Lassale to chat about the association’s evolution and where the organization is headed not just for the industry in North America but around the world.