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VAI celebrates excellence in vertical aviation photography. Alexandria, VA (Feb. 2, 2026) — Vertical Aviation International (VAI) is excited to unveil the winners of the 2026 POWER UP Magazine Photo Contest. The winning photos, including the Grand Prize winner and six category winners, include entries from Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands, Spain, Switzerland, and the United […]

Federal Updates FAA Reopens Comment Period on Part 108 BVLOS Drone Proposal State and Local Updates Action Needed: FAA Reopens Comments on Indianapolis Heliport 2026 State Legislation Report News from VAI’s Northeastern US Regional Representative “Advocacy in Action,” by Josh Rousseau, VAI Northeastern US Regional Representative Federal Updates FAA Reopens Comment Period on Part 108 […]

The company has obtained FAA technical standard order (TSO) authorization for its avionics units developed for the Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk.

This FAA airworthiness directive (AD), which takes effect Feb. 17, supersedes AD 2014-13-09, released Jul. 15, 2014. The updated AD continues to require some of the actions in the existing AD while expanding the applicability to include EC135 P3 and T3 models and reducing the compliance time for the repetitive inspections. It would also allow the modification of the ring frame X9227 as a terminating action for repetitive visual inspections. The FAA is accepting comments on the updated AD through Mar. 19.

This FAA airworthiness directive (AD), which takes effect Feb. 17, requires replacement of the upper and lower pitch-rod end bearings on the pitch rods of the main rotor with new pitch-rod end bearings, and reporting of the results. The FAA is accepting comments through Mar. 19 on the AD.

Airbus Helicopters has published a feature about how a pair of Hungarian Air Force H225Ms joined a battle to douse wildfires in Albania only a few days after delivery in late July 2025.

Air Methods operator Mercy Air 29 began providing air medical services in 2006 to the US Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center in Twentynine Palms.

The FAA has approved VAI’s request to extend and amend Exemption No. 6002O to allow properly trained pilots employed by member operators to remove and reinstall liquid oxygen (LOX) system containers in company-owned or -leased aircraft after receiving and documenting training in this task by an FAA-certificated airframe mechanic. The extension runs until Jan. 31, 2028. The existing exemption expires at midnight on Jan. 31, 2026; all operations specifications will need to be updated with the new exemption number before that time. Because Jan. 31, 2026, falls on a Saturday, there is a risk of noncompliance for Part 135 operators that have this exemption in their operations specifications if they do not update and issue them prior to the weekend.

VAI, a Modern Skies Coalition member, is asking Congress to pass the FY26 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies appropriations bill. The legislation would fund the FAA against future US government shutdowns. A potential deal to avoid another shutdown is in the works and is expected to receive votes in Congress by Jan. 31.

This European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) airworthiness directive (AD), ATA 53 – Fuselage – Mounts and Attachment – Checks/Replacement, takes effect Feb. 5.