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(US Department of War) – Members of the US Air Force 1st Special Operations Wing are also working to integrate compact drones to provide real-time images, collect information, and deploy ahead of soldiers.

(IGIS) – Professors at the University of California’s Agriculture and Natural Resources Department are providing resources to help operators understand recent changes to drone rules and regulations in the United States.

(Vertical magazine) – A pilot and aviation journalist shares her new appreciation for how challenging and meticulous the work is in an accident investigation, even in cases that seem straightforward, after attending the Southern California Safety Institute’s Helicopter Accident Investigation course.

The OEMs have entered the second phase of the European Next Generation Rotorcraft Technologies (ENGRT) project, which involves a three-year effort to develop technologies to help protect European Union states.

The Indianapolis Downtown Heliport (8A4) in Indiana is facing demolition related to plans for a new stadium. Enstrom owner Chuck Surack and a group of business owners are helping submit comments to the FAA through a new grassroots organization, the Sunlight Coalition. We urge VAI members to submit comments to the FAA opposing the closure by Feb. 26.

(Vertical magazine) – Robinson and Lake Fusion Technologies are developing light detection and ranging (LiDAR) systems to help pilots of low-flying helicopters detect and avoid obstacles.

The OEM will bring a new 480B Elite, a US Army 480B, and a new 280FX to the event, which takes place Mar. 9–12 (exhibits open Mar. 10–12) in Atlanta, Georgia.

This European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) airworthiness directive (AD), ATA 65 – Tail Rotor Drive – Tail Gear Box Input Flange – Functional Checks, takes effect Feb. 26.

The FAA is accepting comments through Mar. 30 on this proposed airworthiness directive (AD), which would require repetitive inspections of the cable drum on certain rescue-hoist assemblies for cracks and repairing or replacing them, if necessary. It would also prohibit the installation of an affected rescue-hoist assembly on any helicopter without first meeting certain requirements.

(CCTV) – The China Aerospace Science and Technology Corp., a government-owned company that serves as a main contractor for the Chinese space program, completed the first flight of a new electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft Feb. 6 in Chongqing.