VAI | Vertical Aviation International

Welcome to the newest member of Vertical Aviation International! ◾ Fulcrum Labs We’re beyond excited to have you as part of our amazing family. 👉 Find out how you can become a member at: verticalavi.org/join

Check out this message from Bruce Webb and Florence Verlut of Airbus Helicopters with a special invitation: We're both heading to Bali, Indonesia, 27–29 May, for the 2026 VAI Southeast Asia Aviation Safety Conference. This is a premier opportunity for industry leaders to gather, share insights, and advance safety standards across the region. Don't miss out on this incredible event in a world-class location. 🏝️ Register today at verticalavi.org/saasc and join us in Bali. #VerticalAviation #AviationSafety #VAI #Airbus #SoutheastAsia #Bali2026

Check out this message from Bruce Webb and Florence Verlut from Airbus Helicopters are teamed up to share a special invitation. We are heading to Bali, Indonesia, from May 27–29 for the VAI Southeast Asia Aviation Safety Conference. This is a premier opportunity for industry leaders to gather, share insights, and advance safety standards across the region. Don't miss out on this incredible event in a world-class location. 🏝️ Register today and join us in Bali: https://lnkd.in/eDiv7Kxg #VerticalAviation #AviationSafety #VAI #Airbus #SoutheastAsia #Bali2026

Today, with the support of the Eastern Region Helicopter Council, Inc, the VAI | Vertical Aviation International team hosted a follow-up regional roundtable to brief members with key takeaways from this week's concluded safety risk management panel (SRMP) and to continue to gather feedback about how the rule updates are being worked into daily operations. The meeting also provided an opportunity for the over 100 participants to raise any new operational, safety, or implementation concerns that have emerged since our initial March 23rd roundtable attended by 200 members from across the vertical aviation community. These firsthand perspectives on how the new policy is affecting real-world operations will help shape VAI’s advocacy moving forward. As vertical aviation evolves at an incredible pace, one principle guides every meaningful step forward: safety is non‑negotiable. Working closely with the FAA has reinforced just how essential collaboration is as we buildout BNATS while safely and efficiently integrating our airspace. Whether refining operational standards, evaluating emerging technologies, or strengthening data‑driven oversight, the goal is the same — build public trust through rigorous, transparent, and forward‑looking safety practices. Our industry is in an exciting and transformative time, but it only matters if it’s safe, scalable, and grounded in public confidence. Every decision we make today shapes the trust and reliability of tomorrow’s vertical flight ecosystem and I’m proud to be part of the team (Zac Noble, Theresa Marr, Amber N Harrison, Chris Martino, Francois Lassale, Katia Veraza, Cade Clark, Chuck Street) Powering Up the mission with our partners in government and the broader aviation community (Keith Blair, Kieran Roberts). If you have concerns or comments regarding the new mandate, please email Advocacy@verticalavi.org. More to come so stay tuned, stay engaged!

Welcome to the newest member of Vertical Aviation International! ◾ Nebraska ARMES Aviation We’re beyond excited to have you as part of our amazing family. 👉 Find out how you can become a member at: verticalavi.org/join

Modern Skies Coalition Statement Calling on Congress to Stop Essential Work Without Pay that Jeopardizes Aviation Safety and Security WASHINGTON, March 25, 2026 — The Modern Skies Coalition today issued the following statement on the ongoing Department of Homeland Security (DHS) shutdown: As the shutdown stretches into its sixth week, Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers (TSOs) are now on day 40 without a full paycheck. Just last fall, federal aviation employees went 43 days without pay during the longest government shutdown in history. Acting Administrator Ha McNeill has said that TSOs have now been working without pay for one half of the fiscal year! It is up to Congress to ensure that TSA officers, U.S. Customs airport officers, air traffic controllers and others are paid for the essential work they do every day to keep passengers and cargo moving safely and securely. Government shutdowns have real life impacts. The human cost is real with more than 400 TSA officers quitting, thousands of passengers impacted by delays and 4+ hour wait times at airports. Congress must act now before our system breaks. At the same time, our nation’s air traffic control system is also under immense strain from a longstanding air traffic controller shortage and outdated technology. Shutdowns set back efforts to hire, train and modernize. The aviation industry and the people who work in it cannot continue to be used as political leverage. Congress has the power to end this dysfunction once and for all and must use any legislative vehicle to accomplish this goal. The Aviation Funding Solvency Act and the Aviation Funding Stability Act would ensure that air traffic controllers and other safety personnel are paid during a shutdown. The Keep America Flying Act would provide the same protection for TSA officers. We urge Congress to utilize any legislation moving through the process to add these provisions that would ensure the aviation system isn’t subjected to another shutdown that jeopardizes safety and security. Read the letter here: https://lnkd.in/eKWJ__ac

Today the FAA continued its review of the safety implications of its recent order banning the use of visual separation between helicopters or powered-lift aircraft and airplanes in Class B and Class C airspace and in terminal radar service areas (TRSAs). VAI | Vertical Aviation International, our partners (including the Eastern Region Helicopter Council, Inc), and stakeholders participated as subject-matter experts in the safety risk management panel being conducted over the last two days. Our team recognizes the magnitude of these regulatory changes on operations, and we are committed to representing our members' focus on safety along with the other priorities of our industry as the aviation ecosystem continues to evolve. We continue to advocate for airspace rules that increase efficiency and maintain the highest standards of safety. More to come on this very soon... https://lnkd.in/e9KuXZVs

🚁 Is "No" the most important word in a pilot's vocabulary? In the latest episode of The Helicopter Podcast, recorded live at VERTICON 2026, we dive deep into the high-stakes world of aviation leadership and safety culture. Halsey Schider sits down with François Lassale, President and CEO of Vertical Aviation International (VAI), for a candid conversation that goes far beyond the cockpit. Key Takeaways: ✅The Power of "No": Halsey reflects on a formative lesson from his early career—learning to push back against mission pressure to make the right call. ✅Safety Beyond the Manual: Francois explains why a true safety culture isn't just about policies; it’s about what your team does when no one is watching. ✅A Life-Saving Mindset: Francois shares a powerful personal story involving a motorcycle accident, proving that a "safety-first" mentality is a lifestyle, not just a job requirement. ✅Modeling Leadership: How organizations can better support pilots in making sound decisions under pressure. Safety isn’t just taught—it’s lived. Whether you're in the air or leading a team on the ground, this episode is a masterclass in accountability and decision-making. 🎧 Listen to the full conversation now: https://lnkd.in/ezC84Uyv Brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS.

🚁 We’re Taking Flight at FIDAE 2026! We are thrilled to announce that VAI | Vertical Aviation International will be taking center stage at this year’s FIDAE - FERIA INTERNACIONAL DEL AIRE Y DEL ESPACIO in Santiago, Chile!   VAI's Katia Veraza, Director, State Government Affairs & Regional Relations, is a featured panelist at FIDAE on a dedicated session on vertical flight.   As the premier aerospace and defense event in Latin America, FIDAE 2026 is set to be massive:   350+ exhibitors from 33 countries.   100,000+ attendees and hundreds of official delegations.   Cutting-edge aerial demonstrations and static displays.   📅 Mark Your Calendars Join Katia and industry global leaders on April 8, from 2:00–5:00 p.m., for four essential panel sessions exploring the future of the vertical flight sector. These conversations are vital for advancing innovation and shaping the integration of vertical aviation into the global stage.   🤝 Let’s Connect. Are you a VAI member attending FIDAE? We want to see you there!   #VAI #FIDAE2026 #VerticalAviation #AerospaceInnovation

Thanks to our Founding Partner, ROTORTRADE, for promoting this event. Please register at https://lnkd.in/eDiv7Kxg