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This European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) airworthiness directive (AD), ATA 72–Engine–Gas Generator High Pressure Turbine Blades–Replacement, becomes effective Dec. 26, 2024. It revises AD 2024-0218, which was released Nov. 18, 2024.

The manufacturer has delivered the first NH90 under a batch order for 23 helicopters to the Spanish Directorate General of Armament and Material in Albacete. The order comprises 10 NH90s for the Spanish Army Airmobile Force, 7 for the country’s navy, and 6 for the Spanish Air and Space Force, with deliveries through 2028.

Construction is complete at the new high-volume manufacturing facility at Covington Municipal Airport (KCVC) in Newton County under a partnership with automaker Stellantis. Production of Archer’s Midnight electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft is set to begin in early 2025.

VAI members receive discounts to attend and exhibit at VERTICON (formerly known as HAI HELI-EXPO®), among other VAI events. VERTICON 2025 takes place Mar. 10–13 (exhibits open Mar. 11–13), 2025, in Dallas, Texas.

The US Helicopter Safety Team has announced plans to introduce the Peer Pilot Program for helicopter pilots, with a series of kickoff events scheduled for March 2025 during VERTICON 2025 in Dallas, Texas.

VAI is applauding the FAA’s decision to postpone the implementation of a policy change until Mar. 1, 2025, that would classify incomplete medical applications as denied.

The Torrance, California–based manufacturer is adding an R66 transition course, an avionics and autopilot familiarization course, and a post-maintenance procedure course to its lineup starting in April 2025.

Robinson has obtained FAA authorization to extend the service life for the R22 and R44 main-rotor and tail-rotor blades from 12 to 15 years.

US House Transportation and Infrastructure (T&I) Committee Chairman Sam Graves (R-Mo.-06) sent a letter to the FAA on Dec. 18 requesting a delay on a proposed change to policy regarding the consideration of medical applications that’s anticipated to go into effect on Jan. 1, 2025.