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The Boeing subsidiary completed the first flight of its Generation 6 autonomous electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft Dec. 16 in Hollister, California.

Limhi Somerville plans to join Archer Aviation from Vertical Aerospace in early 2026 to lead a new Archer electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft engineering hub in South West England, United Kingdom (UK).

Proposals for the Electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing (eVTOL) and Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) Integration Pilot Program (eIPP) are now due Dec. 19, 2025. VAI welcomes the extension and urges strong coordination between governments and industry to advance innovation while upholding rigorous safety standards.

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) has identified multiple incident-management communication issues between teams responding to bushfires. The issues led to systemic-level improvements for coordination among teams during wildfire response operations.

The country’s military has exercised an option for 20 Airbus H145M light combat helicopters as part of a December 2023 order for 82 helicopters. Plans call for the German Army to receive 72 helicopters for training, reconnaissance, and light attack missions, and the Luftwaffe to receive 10 for special forces operations.

The OEM has extended its support contract with Heli-One under the Royal Norwegian Air Force’s All-Weather Search and Rescue (SAR) Helicopter program, which uses a fleet of AW101 SAR Queens.

The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) is accepting feedback through Jan. 12, 2026, on this proposed airworthiness directive (AD), ATA 52 – Doors – Jettisonable Windows and Seals on the Sliding Doors and Fixed Panels – Modification.

The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has issued a revision to Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2023-0147R1, ATA 05 – Time Limits/Maintenance Checks – Main Gearbox Suspension Bar Pins/Fittings – Re-Calculation of Life Limits; ATA 53 – Fuselage – Main Gearbox Suspension Bar Pins/Fittings – Replacement/Modification. The revision took effect Dec. 15, 2025.

The Saudi Arabia General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) will collaborate with Archer Aviation to establish a regulatory pathway for electric vertical takeoff and landing air taxi operations across the country.

The California-based OEM completed an international flight demonstration in collaboration with Toyota Motor at the Fuji Speedway in Oyama, Shizuoka.