Core Initiatives
Advocacy
Driving change at the local, state, federal, or international levels, championing policies, and advocating for regulations.
Safety
VAI is the leading voice of the global aviation community, elevating and promoting safety by providing critical training and resources.
Education
VAI is committed to growth and increasing awareness of all aspects of vertical mobility, with programs that cater to members at any stage of their careers.
Advocacy Initiatives
Workforce Development
The immediate challenge: shortages of pilots and aviation mechanics/ engineers threaten readiness of the vertical aviation industry.
Recruiting and retaining talent remain ongoing industry challenges.
Air Tour Management Plans
Envisioned as a way for commercial air tour operators to conduct tours cooperatively with US national park units. Since 2020, planning has excluded industry, raising concerns over safety, economic impacts, and airspace access.
Fly Neighborly
Simple, safe techniques can reduce helicopter sound and promote community acceptance of vertical aviation. This sound reduction program, created by the FAA and endorsed by VAI, seeks to create better relationships between communities and helicopter operators.
Safety Initiatives
Land & LIVE
Protecting pilots by promoting the practice of landing anywhere and anytime to address weather or in-flight emergencies.
Spotlight on Safety
Showcasing safety tips and stories to help enhance helicopter safety in daily operations.
Safety Management Systems
Helping members identify and manage potentially dangerous and costly safety risks and ensure compliance.
Operational Risk and Resilience Accreditation
Organized approach to managing risks and improving processes across your flight operations.
Education Initiatives
VERTICON Programs
Get in-depth learning with Elevations Courses (formerly PECs) and improve on-the-job safety with Foundations Challenge (formerly RSC) sessions.
Workforce Development
The opportunity: industry will need 7,500+ helicopter pilots and 40,000+ AMTs in the next 15 years.
VAI Online Academy
Year-round training at your fingertips, designed by experts for vertical aviation professionals.