François Lassale heads into his first Verticon as the president and CEO of Vertical Aviation International (VAI) as the event is gaining momentum. The show—in its second edition as Verticon and building off the 35 years held as Heli-Expo—has 15,000-plus registrations, more than 650 exhibitors, 280,000 sq ft of exhibit space filled, and some 60 aircraft on static display.

“It’s shaping up to be a really good one,” he told AIN ahead of this week’s event. “We’re ahead of the drag curve, which is great for me. The team’s been working tirelessly for this.”

Today, MD Helicopters will take the wraps off its newest helicopter model, the MD 564, an iteration of the MD500 series with six main rotor blades, a four-bladed tail rotor, and improved performance.

The MD 564 is not a clean-sheet design but an update of the MD 500 series type certificate. It will be powered by the Rolls-Royce 250-C47E/3 engine with dual-channel Fadec, delivering 675 shp—up from the MD530F’s 650-shp 250-C30 (Series IV) engine. It will have a 400-nm range and 4-hour endurance with main and auxiliary fuel.

Coptersafety’s Leonardo AW169 flight simulator with Phase 8 avionics recently received FAA level-D approval. Built by TRU Simulation, the simulator is installed and ready for pilot training at Coptersafety’s Helsinki International Airport (EFHK) training center in Finland.

Phase 8 upgrades the AW169’s Honeywell Primus Epic 2.0 glass cockpit to introduce advanced search-and-rescue modes, an improved four-axis autopilot, and increased automation for single-pilot IFR certification. It also includes HTAWS with offshore modes, a synthetic vision system, and an advanced health and usage monitoring system (HUMS).

Honeywell, Moog, and XP Services are collaborating to convert a Sikorsky UH-60L Black Hawk into the RUC-60, equipped with Near Earth Autonomy’s Captain autonomy architecture. Mission flight testing is expected this year, following earlier integration work and flights of the responsive uncrewed capability (RUC) Black Hawk to prepare for the next phase of testing.

Autonomous helicopters are gaining interest among defense organizations, particularly for their ability to sustain forces without risking human crew members.

Pratt & Whitney Canada’s hybrid-electric PioneerLab helicopter demonstrator remains on track to fly next year as the RTX business advances hybrid initiatives and expands globally to meet sustained demand for helicopter engines and MRO services.

The PioneerLab demonstration aircraft, based on the Airbus Helicopters H145 platform, will combine a single P&WC PW210S engine with a pair of Collins Aerospace 250-kilowatt electric motors and controllers targeting up to 30% reduction in fuel consumption and carbon dioxide emissions, according to AIN’s March 9, 2025 report. Airbus Helicopters announced the 2027 target date during a media briefing at its Donauwörth, Germany facility and said the project is on track to confirm a preliminary design this year.

The digital flip-through issue of AIN’s award-winning VAI Convention News is now available online. It’s a great way to quickly scan the news from Verticon 2026, whether you’re in Atlanta attending the show or watching from afar.