Resource Hub Court affirms federal jurisdiction over US aviation. Vertical Aviation International (VAI) and the general aviation industry commend the recent decision by the US District Court, District of Hawaii, to overturn a section of Hawaii Act 311 that imposed reporting requirements on air tour operators in that state. The decision reaffirms the doctrine of preemption, which reserves certain functions, including oversight of aviation, to the federal government. In April 2024, Safari Helicopter and VAI filed a legal challenge to the law, which mandated burdensome monthly reporting requirements for Hawaii air tour operators. In its ruling, the court issued a permanent injunction against the state’s enforcement of these requirements. The state has 30 days to appeal the ruling. “VAI and the air tour industry are committed to working with the communities where we live, work, and operate to elevate safety and community compatibility,” says Cade Clark, chief government affairs officer for VAI. “However, having a single regulator—the FAA—manage the National Airspace System ensures that our airspace remains free from conflicting rules.” In line with its commitment to elevate safety in the vertical aviation industry, VAI will host the Air Tour Safety Conference on Sep. 23–24 at the Hawaii Convention Center on Oahu, inviting US aerial tour operators as well as state and local government officials to discuss vital topics, including the recent FAA mandate for safety management systems. For more details on the conference and registration, visit the event website.
