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The US Army has selected Bell Textron for the fourth phase of its Flight School Next program. The OEM is proposing the Bell 505 for the program with partners Alpha 1 Aerospace, Delaware Resource Group, DigiFlight, Semper Fly Helicopters, TRU Simulation, and V2X. Read more about the program in the March 2026 edition of POWER UP Magazine.

The FAA is accepting comments through May 26, 2026, on this proposed airworthiness directive (AD), which would supersede AD 2024-02-55, issued Feb. 28, 2024. The proposed AD would retain the inspections in the existing AD while limiting the applicability to exclude certain serial-numbered 505s with an improved-design vertical stabilizer top-end cap. It would also require replacing the vertical stabilizer top-end cap assembly with an improved-design top-end cap assembly.

The company’s Valo electric vertical takeoff and landing prototype aircraft conducted the initial transition from vertical takeoff to fixed-wing flight under the oversight of regulators from the UK Civil Aviation Authority and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency.

The international aviation and space fair in Santiago, Chile, which starts tomorrow, Apr. 7, and runs through Apr. 12, will include dedicated sessions about vertical aviation for the first time. Katia Veraza, VAI director of state government affairs and regional relations, will participate in one of the sessions led by ACHAV, the Chilean Association of Vertical Flight.

Mike Moore, lead pilot for Air Methods operator JeffSTAT 2 in Lansdale, Pennsylvania, completed the milestone transport in March during a routine flight to a Philadelphia hospital.

This FAA airworthiness directive (AD), which takes effect May 11, requires replacing the emergency life raft system container assembly. It also prohibits installing an affected container assembly without first meeting certain requirements.

This FAA airworthiness directive (AD), which takes effect May 11, requires repetitive inspections of certain vertical upper-fin spars and corrective action, if necessary. The AD also prohibits installing certain upper-fin assemblies.

Various aircraft components found in the helicopter crash, which killed two people, have been sent to the US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) Materials Lab for additional examination.

At the 2026 International Air and Space Fair (FIDAE) in Santiago, Chile, Bell will showcase a lineup of versatile vertical aviation solutions used widely across Latin America. Attendees will also learn about the OEM’s latest customer support initiatives designed to elevate aircraft readiness in the region.

The luxury aircraft tax enacted in the state last year, which was set to take effect Apr. 1, has been fully repealed following the passage and signing of H.B.2711 on Mar. 31. VAI Director of State Government Affairs and Regional Relations Katia Veraza explains the impact of this win for the vertical aviation community.