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Airbus Helicopters has officially delivered the first NH90 Standard 2 to the French Armament General Directorate. France has ordered 18 of the helicopters, a new variant of the NH90 TTH designed specifically for special operations. The aircraft, to be operated by the French Army Aviation’s special forces squadron in Pau, will be delivered by mid-2029.

Airbus Helicopters’ deliveries increased to 144 units in the first half (H1) of 2026, compared with 138 units in H1 2025. Revenues were broadly stable at 3.7 billion euros, the OEM reports for the period ending Jun. 30, 2026.

VAI is accepting proposals for flight operations situational awareness charting products supporting VERTICON 2027. Responses are due by Aug. 24, 2026. Click on the headline above for further information.

VAI has created an online career center for both employers and job seekers. The career center job board is open to all job hunters, with numerous resources to help find the perfect role. VAI member employers get discounted rates for job postings as well as access to prime candidates.

The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2024-02-55, which applies to certain Bell Textron Canada Model 505 helicopters. AD 2024-02-55 requires initial and recurring inspections of the vertical stabilizer top end cap assembly and corrective action if a crack is found. The new AD continues the inspection requirements of the earlier AD, excluding certain serial-numbered Model 505 helicopters, among other tasks. The new rule takes effect Sep. 3, 2026.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Leonardo S.p.a. Model AW189 helicopters. The AD, prompted by reports of cracking on the ejector ducts, requires repetitively inspecting the left- and right-hand side ejector ducts, including the exhaust bracket reinforcements and reinforcement plates, and, depending on the results, replacing any affected ejector duct. The AD is effective Sep. 3, 2026.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Safran Helicopter Engines Model Arriel 2E engines. The AD, effective Sep. 3, 2026, requires revising the existing maintenance or inspection program to incorporate the airworthiness limitations section of the existing approved aircraft maintenance program, as applicable.

The FAA proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2024-04-10, which applies to all Airbus Helicopters Model EC135 P1, EC135 P2, EC135 P2+, EC135 P3, EC135 T1, EC135 T2, EC135 T2+, EC135 T3, and EC635 T2+ helicopters. The proposed AD would retain the actions of the earlier rule and require repetitively inspecting a certain tail-rotor blade assembly for cracks, among other tasks. Comments are due by Sep. 14, 2026.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus Model EC130 B4 helicopters. The proposed AD, prompted by reports of weaknesses in the locking mechanisms on the left-hand side swinging and sliding door, would require modifying the swinging door star support and sliding door star support stringer. Comments on the proposal must be submitted by Sep. 8, 2026.

The FAA proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2022-20-11, which applies to certain Bell Textron Canada Model 429 helicopters. AD 2022-20-11 requires visually inspecting the external surface of the tail-rotor gearbox support assembly; borescope inspecting or visually inspecting the inside of the tail boom; and performing a tactile inspection, among other tasks. The proposed AD would require the same actions as the earlier rule and would reduce the inspection interval. Comments are due by Sep. 8, 2026.