Helicopter Association International (HAI) returns to Atlanta this year with momentum and a broader reach as the association pushes toward closer collaboration with the advanced air mobility (AAM) sector, president and CEO James Viola said.
Viola noted that last year’s resumption of Heli-Expo in Dallas after a two-year hiatus “was big” and added this year would likely prove even larger. “I’m pretty sure we’ll top our numbers from last year,” he said. Early registrations have exceeded last year's count and the number of exhibitors by late January had already topped 600. He noted that Atlanta was well received when HAI first hosted Heli-Expo there in 2019.
HAI wants to send a message that it represents “not only helicopters but all vertical flight,” said Viola. “We're trying to make sure that we have a taste of that at the show this year.”
That includes an AAM presence on the exhibit floor and plans to release a white paper in tandem with the convention to provide a picture of what “day one” of such operations might portray, Viola said.
“Day one is getting closer for some manufacturers,” he noted and stressed that such operations can use—and are using—helicopters as proof of concepts. Viola pointed to the efforts of Skyryse and Blade as examples.
“The intent is trying to figure out what the infrastructure looks like, how do you do some of the legs of moving people between vertiports and airports," he explained. "We can do that today so we can start working out the bugs.”
Viola also stressed that people in the FAA and industry "are starting to understand that it’s not a totally separate thing that’s happening.” He noted that AAM brings new types of powerplants and technical capabilities, but many of the vehicles in the works essentially operate vertically as helicopters. “It’s kind of an evolution now,” he said. “We’re excited about [new technologies] because they’re not replacing helicopters but bringing additional capabilities.”
At the same time, Viola expressed concern about the FAA’s recently released update to guidance on the planning, design, and construction of heliports. Advisory Circular 150/5390-2D provides voluntary guidance for rotorcraft but it does not include AAM. The agency said it plans separate guidance for those vertiports.
However, Viola questioned why they would separate them. The FAA has acknowledged the need to use existing infrastructure initially for AAM, he noted, adding that the manufacturers of those vehicles want just that.
“They don’t want to be restricted to land at vertiports,” he said, adding that by distinguishing heliports from vertiports, the FAA is creating a restriction versus an expansion of the current environment. "I think they're trying to really confine where these eVTOL aircraft are going,” he explained.
Such issues among the many others surrounding AAM appear on the schedule for Heli-Expo this week, including AAM showcases on aircraft, infrastructure, and operations; a leaders forum; a look at the future of the airspace; and a discussion from Joby Aviation.
In all, Heli-Expo will host nearly 200 events, activities, and sessions, the vast majority of which center on safety. Viola pointed to the myriad educational, professional development, and refresher courses for mechanics and pilots and the opportunities for them to complete recurrent training.
Safety management systems (SMS) will be a hot topic given the FAA’s recent proposal to require such programs for Part 135 operators and Part 91 air tours. HAI continues to work to ensure its members have options for an SMS program that fits them. “We're trying to figure out what does that small operator need to help them do things right,” he said.
HAI has partnered with the Air Charter Safety Foundation on a voluntary Aviation Safety Action Plan (ASAP) self-reporting program for helicopter operators that Viola said can serve as an essential element for an SMS program.
He noted that operators have begun to embrace ASAP but some continue to face difficulty getting the programs recognized by the FAA. At the same time, HAI is working on a safety accreditation program. HAI will host discussions on both SMS and accreditation during Heli-Expo, joining activities including a Safety Town Hall, Safety Symposium, and the annual Rotor Safety Challenge involving more than 50 educational sessions alone.
Another area of focus at Heli-Expo will center on the workforce shortage. Among activities include a Career Fair on Tuesday as well as HAI's annual Mil2Civil Workshop, which highlights the transition from military to civil jobs.
Viola said the rotorcraft and the larger aviation community must consider how to maintain a pipeline of pilots and mechanics. “There are lots of options on the helicopter side of the house, but we’ve got to get young people involved,” he said, stressing studies that say interest gets sparked at about sixth grade.
Viola pointed to opportunities such as STEM programs or large-scale events such as EAA AirVenture, but he also said that the industry needs to get creative. “Why can't we come up with a helicopter game where people can play [involving] helicopters—something they can play on their phones?” he asked. “What we're trying to do is more coordination.”