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The official helicopter service provider of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway used a fleet of nine helicopters to transport more than 500 passengers—surpassing a previous high of 450 in 2024—during last weekend’s Indianapolis 500 in Indiana.

Under a partnership with the Aircraft Electronics Association, VAI members can receive an aircraft maintenance–specific safety management system (SMS) program at no additional cost.

The new Swiss Helicopter Association (SHA) Mountain Flying Handbook includes an in-depth look into the challenges of mountain helicopter operations.

(Air Charter Safety Foundation) – Collecting and analyzing safety data through a flight data monitoring (FDM) or flight operations quality assurance program empowers operators to uncover hidden risks, enhance training, and foster a proactive mindset.

When we ask VAI members which of our services has the greatest impact, the top answer is advocacy. And as the vertical aviation industry rapidly evolves, the work of our advocacy team takes on even greater importance. Watch this month’s VAI Flight Report video to learn more about the issues we address to ensure our members’ success.

(CNY Central) – A medical helicopter crew from Air Methods operator LifeNet landed at Liverpool High School in New York May 28 to talk with students about their profession.

(KFBM) – Police departments across California will now be required to release some videos captured by department-owned drones, a judge in San Diego ordered earlier this month in response to a lawsuit filed by a journalist.

(KRCR) – A Butte County Sheriff’s Office helicopter crew assisted teams from the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection and Butte County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue with airlifting a hiker who fell down a waterfall May 25 in a remote area of Pulga.

(BBC) – A helicopter crew is assisting Scottish Fire and Rescue Service ground teams with extinguishing a wildfire in Alford, Aberdeenshire.

Michael Gardner, who was seriously injured last year after falling from a mountain, met May 19 with the SkyLife crew members and first responders who saved his life. The reunion took place at the Air Methods operator’s base in Fresno.