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Robinson has obtained clearance from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and regulators in Argentina, India, and Japan to offer its empennage configuration retrofit kit, which includes a symmetrical horizontal stabilizer and tail cone that is now standard on all new models, for operators of existing R66, R44, and R22 helicopters.

This European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) airworthiness directive (AD), ATA 31–Instruments–Warning Unit Emergency Off Switches–Operational Check, takes effect Jan. 2, 2025.

This Transport Canada airworthiness directive (AD), CF-2024-42, Main Rotor Drive System–Cracking of Transmission Oil Check Valve, takes effect Dec. 27, 2024. It applies to Bell 427s with serial numbers 56001 through 56084, as well as 58001 and 58002.

This European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) airworthiness directive (AD), ATA 72–Engine–Gas Generator High Pressure Turbine Blades–Replacement, becomes effective Dec. 26, 2024. It revises AD 2024-0218, which was released Nov. 18, 2024.

The manufacturer has delivered the first NH90 under a batch order for 23 helicopters to the Spanish Directorate General of Armament and Material in Albacete. The order comprises 10 NH90s for the Spanish Army Airmobile Force, 7 for the country’s navy, and 6 for the Spanish Air and Space Force, with deliveries through 2028.

Construction is complete at the new high-volume manufacturing facility at Covington Municipal Airport (KCVC) in Newton County under a partnership with automaker Stellantis. Production of Archer’s Midnight electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft is set to begin in early 2025.

VAI members receive discounts to attend and exhibit at VERTICON (formerly known as HAI HELI-EXPO®), among other VAI events. VERTICON 2025 takes place Mar. 10–13 (exhibits open Mar. 11–13), 2025, in Dallas, Texas.

The US Helicopter Safety Team has announced plans to introduce the Peer Pilot Program for helicopter pilots, with a series of kickoff events scheduled for March 2025 during VERTICON 2025 in Dallas, Texas.

VAI is applauding the FAA’s decision to postpone the implementation of a policy change until Mar. 1, 2025, that would classify incomplete medical applications as denied.

The Torrance, California–based manufacturer is adding an R66 transition course, an avionics and autopilot familiarization course, and a post-maintenance procedure course to its lineup starting in April 2025.