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Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on Jul. 17 announced a new executive directive to establish the Michigan Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) Initiative with over $4.1 million in funding. The project is intended to advance the testing, production, and integration of uncrewed aircraft systems technologies in the state.

Civil aviation authorities from the Asia-Pacific region on Jul. 14 unveiled guidelines to facilitate the regulation of advanced air mobility operations. The guidelines, jointly developed by 24 Asia-Pacific states and administrations, are intended to help support industry development, accelerate safe adoption, and reduce regulatory risk and cost.

Embention, a developer of autopilot systems and avionics for autonomous aerial vehicles, is the first manufacturer approved by the Spanish Aviation Safety and Security Agency (AESA) with Production Organization Approval (POA) to build autopilots for drones and electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft.

The US Department of Commerce has issued a request for public comments related to a Section 232 national security investigation into imports of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and their parts and components. VAI will share its draft response with members in the coming weeks. At that time, VAI will encourage members to submit their responses, using VAI’s response as a template and adding any unique details they wish to provide.

The US Department of Transportation (USDOT) has updated a request for solutions for the Brand New Air Traffic Control (ATC) System initiative, which seeks to overhaul the US ATC framework within the next three to four years.

(POWER UP magazine) – Despite challenges, much US federal and state activity in the first half of the year supports helicopter operations.

(POWER UP magazine) – What’s next for Sikorsky? The historic OEM is working on cutting-edge aircraft technologies, as well as improvements to its legacy products.

Registration is open through the end of July for the online Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU) course “Leadership in Flight Department Operations,” which will be available daily from Aug. 1 to Aug. 28, 2025. The course will review leadership styles and characteristics germane to any working group but with a focus on flight department operations. Continuing education credits are available.

The US Helicopter Safety Team (USHST) is offering mental health support through its Peer Pilot Program for helicopter pilots and aircrew members involved in responding to the flooding disaster along the Guadalupe River in Texas. VAI proudly supports this important work.

The ORRA program offers VAI members a flexible, evolving, organized approach to managing risks and improving processes across their flight operations.