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This FAA airworthiness directive (AD), which takes effect Apr. 30, requires replacement of certain affected bolts on the horizontal control rods of the flight controls with bolts that are eligible for installation. It also prohibits installation of an affected bolt on any helicopter.

The Bell Textron team for the US Army’s Flight School Next program includes Textron subsidiary TRU Simulation + Training, DigiFlight, Alpha-1 Aerospace, V2X, Delaware Resource Group, and Semper Fly Helicopters.

The FAA is continuing its review of the safety implications of its recent order banning the use of visual separation between helicopters or powered-lift aircraft and airplanes in Class B and Class C airspace and in terminal radar service areas. VAI is participating in a Mar. 24–26 safety risk management panel as a subject-matter expert. We recognize the magnitude of these regulatory changes on operations, and we are committed to representing you and your concerns as the US aviation ecosystem continues to evolve.

(Vertical HeliCASTS) – At VERTICON 2026 earlier this month, The Helicopter Podcast team spoke with VAI President and CEO François Lassale about leadership, safety culture, and pilot decision-making in aviation.

The helicopter dealership sold and delivered a Leonardo AW119 Ke previously operated by the South African Red Cross Air Mercy Service to Aeromaster for corporate transportation, offshore oil support, and air medical operations in the South American country.

The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) is accepting feedback through Apr. 21 on this proposed airworthiness directive (AD), ATA – Rotorcraft Flight Manual – Section Emergency Procedures – Amendment; ATA 42 – Integrated Modular Avionics – Ethernet Network – Inspection/Modification.

The maker of the Valo electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft notes advances in flight testing and manufacturing along with increased orders in its 2025 Annual Report.

VAI brought together nearly 200 members from across the vertical aviation community for a Mar. 23 member roundtable on the operational and safety impacts of recent changes to US airspace rules.

The company’s maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) facility in Latrobe is now fully operational and conducting final preparations for the delivery of Airbus H145 D3s to Life Flight Network and CareFlite.

A team from the OEM showed how 5G cellular infrastructure can double as real-time drone detection using a prototype system known as NetSense. The system turns commercial networks into an added layer of safety capable of identifying aerial intrusions in crowded or complex environments.