Resource Hub

The agreement with the Western US tour operator allows the Canadian online booking company to expand its private air travel fleet by adding 49 Airbus H130 and Sikorsky S-76 helicopters.

(AVweb) – The FAA has activated a radar data-sharing initiative with the Northern Plains Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) Test Site in Grand Forks, North Dakota, enabling the integration of federal radar information into the state’s Vantis beyond visual line of sight system.

(AirMed&Rescue) – The helicopter, which replaces a Bell 407 providing air medical services in Kern County, California, is equipped for poor weather conditions and low visibility operations.

(Flying magazine) – Television stations across the United States use electronic news-gathering helicopters as a tool to capture live news. While the number of newsroom helicopters has decreased over the years, having one in the California city is a necessity. A pilot and camera operator from Helinet Aviation, based at Van Nuys Airport (KVNY) in Los Angeles, describe how they use a helicopter to rapidly reach the scene of breaking news.

This two-day class will take you through everything you need to know to identify, plan, prepare, train, and recover from a flight that inadvertently enters instrument meteorological conditions (IIMC). The course takes place Saturday, Mar. 7, and Sunday, Mar. 8, at VERTICON 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. For more information and to register, click on the headline above.

(Flying magazine) – California-based Skyryse plans to introduce a universal emergency autoland capability for all aircraft—both fixed-wing and rotorcraft—that activates with a single tap on a touchscreen.

(Adirondack Explorer) – A New York State Police helicopter crew assisted ground teams with locating and airlifting a hiker experiencing symptoms of hypothermia and frostbite Feb. 25 from Dix Range.

Four seats are open in three operator member categories. Each director elected will serve a term of three years beginning Jul. 1, 2026. Electronic election ballots have been distributed to VAI membership representatives of vertical aircraft operator members.

Smith Myers Communications has added passive Wi-Fi, Bluetooth detection and geolocation, and ATAK cursor-on-target integration functions to its ARTEMIS system.

Tune in to VAI’s YouTube channel this Friday and Saturday, Mar. 6–7, to watch more than 40 helicopters fly into Atlanta, Georgia, for VERTICON 2026. The show takes place Mar. 9–12 (exhibits open Mar. 10–12).