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The latest edition of the United States Helicopter Safety Team (USHST) newsletter features a republished 1995 article from Customs Today about one of the longest rescue operations ever recorded after the cargo ship Salvador Allende sank in 1994 in the North Atlantic Ocean. USHST industry cochair Chris Baur, then a captain in the US Air Force, took part in the rescue.

The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has issued a revision to Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2025-0278, ATA 25 – Equipment/Furnishings – Emergency Sea Anchor Pin – Inspection/Replacement, which was released Dec. 24, 2025. The revision takes effect Jan. 21, 2026.

Fulton, an aircraft maintenance technician with Air Methods operator Mercy Air in California, is retiring Jan. 16 after nearly 30 years at the organization.

The latest edition of the United States Helicopter Safety Team (USHST) newsletter highlights Tony Randall, winner of the 2025 Hugh Dryden Lifetime Achievement Award from the Flight Test Safety Committee. Randall is senior manager of flight safety at Bell and a member of the USHST Steering Committee.

This European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) airworthiness directive (AD), ATA 04 – Time Limits/Maintenance Checks – Airworthiness Limitations Section – Amendment, takes effect Jan. 26, 2026. It will supersede AD 2025-0090, released Apr. 23, 2025.

The OEM delivered the milestone aircraft to HSM-41, the US Navy’s Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron, which will use it for MH-60R pilot training in support of the US Pacific Fleet.

The US Department of Interior (DOI) is moving ahead with Phase 3, which marks the next step in establishing the US Wildland Fire Service but does not transfer personnel or assets from the US Forest Service. The US Senate Committee on Appropriations is calling for a feasibility study to evaluate the consolidation. We will continue to monitor developments with this issue and provide updates to VAI members.

The OEM has named Matthieu Louvot CEO of Airbus Helicopters, effective Apr. 1. He is currently executive VP of strategy. Louvot will succeed Bruno Even, who is leaving Airbus Helicopters after eight years as CEO.

Baird was previously COO for the Utica, New York–based company. He will continue to report to CEO Derek Swaim.

A LifeFlight Australia crew based in Toowoomba, Queensland, airlifted two injured hikers in separate rescues Jan. 11 from the Scenic Rim and Moreton Bay regions.