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Bristol, England–based Vertical has become the second company globally to complete a two-way piloted transition flight in a full-scale tiltrotor electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft and the first to do so under civil aviation Design Organisation Approval regulatory oversight.

The FAA is removing Emergency Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2026-01-51 for Airbus H160-B helicopters after the OEM determined that the main-rotor pitch rod–end failure was due to an inadequate maintenance procedure rather than an unsafe condition and that, therefore, no AD is warranted.

The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) is accepting feedback through Apr. 29 on this proposed airworthiness directive (AD), ATA 63 – Main Rotor Drive – Vertical Mount – Inspection / Replacement / Life
Limitations.

This airworthiness directive (AD), which covers select Airbus AS350 helicopters, was prompted by a report of a gap between the bolted assemblies under the attachment fittings of the main gearbox (MGB) suspension bars. The AD, effective Apr. 29, requires replacing any affected front and rear attachment fittings, screws, nuts, and washers of the MGB suspension bars, and prohibits installing any affected parts unless they are new (never previously installed).

The US Army has awarded Boeing a $324 million contract for six CH-47F Block II Chinook helicopters, increasing the total on order to 24 and accelerating delivery of critical capability to troops.

(ANTARA) – The Indonesian National Search and Rescue (SAR) Agency, Basarnas, has located the debris suspected to be part of an Airbus H130 PK-CFX helicopter that reportedly lost contact and crashed Apr. 16 in a forest area in Sekadau District, West Kalimantan.

The US Senate Commerce Committee’s advancement of the Mental Health in Aviation Act Apr. 14 is an important step toward modernizing aviation mental health policy. This bipartisan bill moves the conversation in the right direction by helping address outdated barriers, reduce stigma, and support a safer system for pilots, air traffic controllers, and the broader aviation community. VAI appreciates the committee’s leadership on this issue and applauds the Pilot Mental Health Campaign for its advocacy efforts to move this bill forward.

The FAA has proposed an airworthiness directive (AD) for select Airbus Helicopters models that requires additional safety labels to improve emergency sliding-door exit instructions and address a safety concern.

The House of Representatives on Apr. 14 overwhelmingly approved the Airspace Location and Enhanced Risk Transparency (ALERT) Act of 2026. The bipartisan legislation was introduced in February following the conclusion of the full investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) of the January 2025 midair collision between American Airlines Flight 5342 and a US Army UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (KDCA). VAI applauds the passage of the ALERT Act and appreciates the bipartisan leadership behind this effort. The bill represents a broad effort to address the aviation safety issues identified through the NTSB’s investigation and to strengthen safety across the US National Airspace System.

NHV is adding Airbus H160 helicopters to its offshore fleet to boost efficiency, safety, and sustainability across European and African energy operations, with the first commercial flights expected in May 2026.