VAI/Mark Bennett Photo VAI hosts member roundtable to shape response to visual separation ban Operator feedback will help inform VAI’s advocacy as FAA begins safety review. On Mar. 23, 2026, VAI brought together nearly 200 members from across the vertical aviation community for a member roundtable on the operational and safety impacts of recent changes to US airspace rules. The strong turnout underscored the significance of the issue and the need for immediate industry engagement. During the discussion, operators and other members shared firsthand perspectives on how the new policy is affecting real-world operations and identified concerns that will help shape VAI’s advocacy moving forward. On Mar. 18, the US Department of Transportation and the FAA suspended the use of visual separation for helicopters or powered-lift aircraft crossing the flight path of arriving or departing aircraft in Class B and Class C airspace and in terminal radar service areas (TRSAs). Instead, the FAA now mandates the use of ATC-managed radar separation with defined lateral and vertical distances where helicopter routes intersect with arrival or departure paths. Members participating in the roundtable identified several recurring concerns, including: • Safety risks created by the implementation of the mandate • Inconsistent interpretation or misapplication of the mandate by local air traffic control • Operational delays, reroutes, fueling issues, and reduced flexibility. Beginning Mar. 24, the FAA will hold a three-day safety risk management panel (SRMP) to review the safety impacts of the Mar. 18 order. VAI will serve as a subject-matter expert on the panel and will bring forward the operational feedback shared by members during the roundtable. VAI is grateful for the FAA’s efforts to address any safety concerns stemming from the airspace changes. We appreciate the opportunity to participate in the SRMP and any other efforts to collaboratively enhance the safety of the National Airspace System. VAI also thanks each member who participated in the roundtable. These firsthand reports on the operational impacts of regulatory changes are invaluable to our advocacy efforts, and we appreciate your efforts to collect and report this information. If you have concerns or comments regarding the new mandate, please email Advocacy@verticalavi.org.
