VAI/Mark Bennett Photo FAA, US DOT announce suspension of visual separation in congested airspace to improve safety VAI will host a member roundtable on Monday, Mar. 23, to gather operator and industry feedback. Prior to an FAA-scheduled safety risk management panel (SRMP), VAI is seeking member input following the US Department of Transportation (DOT) and FAA announcement Mar. 18 regarding new operating requirements for helicopter and fixed-wing aircraft operations in congested airspace near busy US airports. Under the FAA’s general notice, the agency is suspending the use of visual separation between helicopters and airplanes and requiring air traffic controllers to use radar-based separation where helicopter routes intersect with airport arrival and departure paths. According to the FAA, the change follows a yearlong review of mixed helicopter and airplane operations across the United States and reflects the agency’s determination that there has been an overreliance on pilot “see-and-avoid” operations in high-traffic environments. The FAA is conducting an SRMP on this issue next week. VAI recognizes that this change may have impacts on helicopter operators. VAI will participate in the SRMP next week and remains committed to working with the FAA, operators, and other stakeholders to support implementation, provide operational clarity, and maintain the highest standards of safety across the vertical aviation community. To better understand those impacts and inform VAI’s engagement with the FAA and Congress, VAI will host a member roundtable on Monday, Mar. 23, to gather feedback from operators and other stakeholders across the country. For information on the VAI Member Roundtable, or to relay any concerns or comments regarding the new mandate, please email advocacy@verticalavi.org.
