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The new IFR-equipped Bell 407GXi will allow Mercy Air 15, an Air Methods operator in Kern County, California, to expand operations in low-visibility conditions, including tule fog.

VAI encourages pilots, mission planners, and operators—particularly those conducting low-level, off-airport, or special-mission operations—to consider using SlackMap as a supplemental awareness tool.

The FAA General Aviation and Part 135 Activity Survey is now open, and VAI encourages operators to participate. Governmental agencies and industry organizations will use data from the survey results to compute safety metrics, determine funding for infrastructure and service needs, and more.

The manufacturer will hold piston courses Jun. 8–12 and Sep. 21–25 and turbine courses Jun. 15–19 and Sep. 28–Oct. 2 in Menominee, Michigan.

Anodyne Electronics Manufacturing (AEM) will display its new panel-mount radio designed for offshore, air medical, search-and-rescue, coast guard, and forestry operations, at Booth #7023 during VERTICON 2026.

The OEMs have entered the second phase of the European Next Generation Rotorcraft Technologies (ENGRT) project, which involves a three-year effort to develop technologies to help protect European Union states.

The Indianapolis Downtown Heliport (8A4) in Indiana is facing demolition related to plans for a new stadium. Enstrom owner Chuck Surack and a group of business owners are helping submit comments to the FAA through a new grassroots organization, the Sunlight Coalition. We urge VAI members to submit comments to the FAA opposing the closure by Feb. 26.

This European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) airworthiness directive (AD), ATA 65 – Tail Rotor Drive – Tail Gear Box Input Flange – Functional Checks, takes effect Feb. 26.

The FAA is accepting comments through Mar. 30 on this proposed airworthiness directive (AD), which would require repetitive inspections of the cable drum on certain rescue-hoist assemblies for cracks and repairing or replacing them, if necessary. It would also prohibit the installation of an affected rescue-hoist assembly on any helicopter without first meeting certain requirements.

SkyDrive has received an order from 7A Drones for 10 SD-05 electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft for a planned emergency medical evacuation route that will connect Magong on Penghu Island with Hujing Island in Taiwan.