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(AIN) – The incoming VAI president and CEO is already laying the groundwork for a fast start with plans for elevating the organization on an international stage and across vertical aviation.

This FAA airworthiness directive (AD), which takes effect Sep. 26, requires inspecting for the presence of the retaining ring in the emergency flotation system (EFS) inflation assembly and taking corrective action, if necessary. It also prohibits the installation of an EFS with certain inflation assemblies.

Under a partnership with the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department, pilots from Dallas Avionics met with students last week at the Friedens Early Learning Center in Seguin.

The $720 million contract involves the production of joint air-to-ground and HELLFIRE missiles for the US Army, US Navy, and international partners.

Chris Baur, VAI board member and industry chairman of the US Helicopter Safety Team (USHST), and Hiro Onishi, chairman of the Association for Promotion of Helicopter Industry, Japan (APHIJ), met Aug. 20 in Tokyo to discuss ways the three organizations can work together to improve helicopter safety and expand IFR infrastructure. Both leaders identified multiple areas for joint work with a shared commitment to eliminating fatal helicopter accidents, among other objectives.

VAI has partnered with six safety management system (SMS) industry leaders to provide substantial savings for operators that don’t already have an SMS in place.

VAI Ambassador Jessica Meiris, an FAA Safety Team representative and member of the US Helicopter Safety Team, provides best practices for operating around helicopters as part of the Rotorcraft Collective series.

Maverick’s fleet of 49 Airbus H130 and Sikorsky S-76 helicopters is now part of Airble’s network of VIP charter offerings across the Western United States.

The FAA is accepting comments on this proposed airworthiness directive (AD) through Oct. 6. It would supersede AD 2021-20-16, issued Oct. 18, 2021. The proposed AD would retain the existing inspection while adding a requirement to replace the upper-fin assembly with a modified assembly.

Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin company, has received a $43 million US Army contract to modernize the UH-60 Black Hawk, including upgrading the airframe, adding a digital backbone for unmanned aircraft system integration, and using model-based systems engineering to increase performance and reduce costs.