Home / Advocacy / Advocacy Topics Advocacy Topics Find advocacy resources in the Resource Hub sorted by topic area. Government & Regulatory Advocacy Your Government and Regulatory Affairs teams advocate for legislation and regulations that meet the needs of an increasingly diverse vertical aviation industry. The topics VAI monitors appear below with links to the comments, testimony, letters, and other advocacy related to the topic. More advocacy resources / Air Tour Management PlansAir Tour Management Plans (ATMPs) Envisioned as a way for commercial air tour operators to conduct tours cooperatively with US national park units. Since 2020, planning has excluded industry, raising concerns over safety, economic impacts, and airspace access. VAI supports the concept and use of ATMPs with industry input. VAI with air tour operator members is pursuing litigation over airspace access in national parks, with success in Hawaii. EAGLE Initiative (Eliminate Aviation Gasoline Lead Emissions) A partnership comprising the aviation and petroleum industries and the US government working toward lead-free aviation fuels by the end of 2030. VAI, representing the vertical aviation industry, is committed to the EAGLE initiative. Sustainability The aviation industry’s efforts to reduce its environmental footprint, including development and use of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). VAI is dedicated to reducing greenhouse gas emissions from aircraft. In 2024, VAI began an initiative to use 100% SAF for aircraft flying into/out of its annual conference and trade show, the largest annual gathering of vertical-capable aircraft in the world. Veterans Issues Covers topics including commemoration activities to legislation affecting veterans rights such as education benefits under the GI Bill. VAI supports veterans rights and opposes caps on flight training benefits. FAA Reauthorization Legislative process where the US Congress renews agency funding and authority over the National Airspace System. VAI works with legislators to ensure vertical aviation priorities are included in the bills. Workforce Shortages of pilots and aviation mechanics / engineers threaten readiness of the vertical aviation industry. Recruiting and retaining talent remain ongoing industry challenges. VAI’s Workforce Development Industry Advisory Council is tackling this issue. Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) Term used to define a mission set (moving cargo and people between places not or underserved by aviation) or next generation vertical-capable aircraft. VAI has taken a leadership role in helping the vertical aviation community embrace AAM. VAI’s decision to rebrand in 2024 was in recognition of the diversity of vertical-capable aircraft, including AAM and UASs, represented within the industry. Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UASs) Remotely piloted and autonomous aircraft (also called drones); integration of these aircraft into the US National Airspace System (NAS) touches all areas of the industry and regulation. VAI has been at the forefront of all major policy discussions related to integrating UASs into the NAS. VAI issued a position statement about UASs operating beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS), with recommendations for achieving safe operations and advocating for performance-based requirements and standards. Infrastructure / Heliports / Vertiports Where aircraft are serviced, hangared, land, and take off from; as vertical aviation diversifies, the infrastructure needs to be funded and developed or maintained. VAI led a successful campaign to keep NYC West 30th Street Heliport (KJRA) open. VAI’s Vertical Flight Infrastructure Industry Advisory Council is focused on engaging with international regulators to promote harmonization of design standards, among other activities. Federal Preemption / ADA As established by the Airline Deregulation Act (ADA), federal preemption allows the FAA to oversee the National Airspace System. Preemption takes precedence over any state laws. VAI advocates for federal preemption and has appealed for Congress to codify FAA’s authority. Community Compatibility Mandates US airports to adopt community compatibility programs and phase out louder, older aircraft. VAI’s Fly Neighborly program promotes voluntary sound reduction techniques by helicopter operators to mitigate sound impacts on communities. 5G Interference 5G signals used in high-speed wireless communication can disrupt aircraft altimeter readings, affecting safety during landings. The FAA began addressing concerns in 2022. VAI advocated for exemptions and safety measures, securing permission for helicopter air ambulance operators to continue providing medical services. Safety VAI’s strategic initiative focused on delivering and promoting programs and services that make aviation safer. VAI advocacy efforts support this initiative. VAI supports the FAA mandated safety management system (SMS) program. ATC Privatization An unsuccessful attempt to put air traffic control (ATC) under a nonprofit corporation’s authority. (Proposed in the 2018 FAA reauthorization bill.) VAI was part of the opposition group raising concerns of safety, access, and oversight that successfully quashed the privatization proposal. Testimony / Hearings VAI members and staff provide legislators benefit of their experience and subject matter expertise at briefings and hearings, often through written testimony but sometimes by testifying in person. VAI’s Government Affairs team monitors legislation and identifies opportunities for member engagement.
