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The US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) on Jul. 24 adopted rules to auction 160 MHz of spectrum in the Upper C-band (3.98–4.14 GHz) by July 2027. VAI Director of Regulatory Affairs Amber Harrison explains what this new development means for vertical aviation.

(Unmanned Airspace) – For advanced air mobility (AAM) aircraft developers speaking at last week’s Farnborough International Airshow, civil certification is only another step along the way to bringing artificial intelligence, autonomy, more capable drone logistics, and new forms of hybrid electric propulsion into the market.

Robinson Helicopter Co. President and CEO David Smith and VAI President and CEO François Lassale joined EAA Radio’s Digital Dave and Fast Eddie to talk vertical aviation Jul. 20 at EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. The focus of their discussion? The spectacular Vertical Lift Center, which debuted at this year’s show and was cosponsored by VAI and Robinson.

(AIN) – Greek charter flight provider Hoper is adding a pair of leased Airbus helicopters—a five-seat AS355 Écureuil 2 and six-seat H135—to its fleet to meet high demand in the summer vacation season. According to the Athens-based company, the twin-engine rotorcraft will be operated by companies within its network of operators.

The updated fleet of Black Hawk helicopters will feature Moog’s Genesys Avionics Suite and four-axis GRC 4000 autopilot system.

(AvBrief.com) – FAA Deputy Administrator Chris Rocheleau says there will be a new “roadmap” issued on the transition to unleaded avgas in coming weeks, and it now seems likely that industry and government will miss the 2030 congressional deadline for the elimination of 100LL leaded fuel, according to reporting from AvBrief.

(AvBrief.com) – Amazon says its MK30 drones have a best-in-class perception system that uses a combination of high-res cameras, radar, and ADS-B to detect and avoid obstacles in real time.

(MundoGEO) – The proposal from Brazil’s National Civil Aviation Agency (ANAC) represents a significant step toward establishing the environmental certification framework for Eve Air Mobility’s electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft. The proposal is open for consultation until Aug. 8.

The FAA is taking another step toward modernizing aviation with Mobile Clearance—a new digital capability that lets general and business aviation pilots request IFR departure clearances through approved flight apps such as ForeFlight and Garmin Pilot.