All photos: f-stop Photography VERTICON 2025: The Rest of the Story POWER UP can’t capture everything that makes VERTICON the most exciting place to be for the vertical aviation community. If you were there, you understand. But if you couldn’t make it to Dallas, here’s a taste of what you missed. Members of the VAI Board of Directors flank VAI President and CEO James Viola as he accepts their farewell gift of an R66 tail rotor signed by board and staff members. Six days after the Mar. 10 presentation, Viola became president and CEO of the General Aviation Manufacturers Association. Pictured are, from left, David McColl, Sarah Arnold, Sarah Mooney, Mike Romanowski, Mark Schlaefli, Paul Gottwig, James Viola, Stacy Sheard, Miller Stallings, Rick Kenin, Nicole Battjes, and François Lassale. VERTICON kicks off with a Welcome Reception the evening before the show floor opens. The crowd at this year’s event, held Mar. 10, enjoys perfect weather, Western-themed games and gear, and the chance to connect with old friends, such as former Red Bull stunt pilot Chuck Aaron (inset photo). Air tour operator and VAI Board Chair Mark Schlaefli addresses the Mar. 10 meeting of the VAI Tour Operators Industry Advisory Council (IAC). The IACs provide a forum for industry sectors to communicate and collaborate with VAI staff and leadership. Famed stunt pilot Fred North takes attendees behind the scenes of Hollywood blockbusters in a Main Stage presentation on Mar. 12. In addition to his work on more than 200 films, including the Mission Impossible and Fast & Furious franchises, North holds the world record for piloting a helicopter at altitude, climbing to 42,500 ft. Are these photographers waiting for Taylor Swift? Tom Cruise? VERTICON celebrities have blades, engines, and a max payload, as demonstrated by this group watching aircraft depart during the fly-out that began immediately after the show’s close on Mar. 13. Two students from an Idaho State University team, the Flying Spuds, race the clock to troubleshoot and adjust a switch within a thrust reverser control system, one of the events in the Aerospace Maintenance Council (AMC) Competition, which was held on the VERTICON show floor on Mar. 11. While the Spuds didn’t take home the top prize, Eliza Ward, shown at left, received the AMC Professionalism Award for student competitors, as well as a $350 grant from the Northrop Rice Foundation toward the costs of FAA A&P certification tests. What will make headlines at VERTICON 2026? Join us in Atlanta, Georgia, Mar. 9–12, with exhibits open Mar. 10–12, for the world’s largest vertical aviation conference and trade show to find out!
