Viola Sees Expansion at Vertical Aviation International, More Work To Do | Aviation International News

Verticon 2025

Viola Sees Expansion at VAI, More Work To Do

Vertical Aviation International leader prepares to embark on new role at GAMA

Jame Viola VAI, GAMA — VAI president and CEO James Viola will focus on safety for all of aviation. © Barry Ambrose/AIN

By Kerry Lynch • Editor, AIN monthly magazine

March 3, 2025

As Vertical Aviation International (VAI) returns to the newly minted Verticon convention and exhibition from March 10 to 13, the see and avoid safety topic comes back into focus. VAI president and CEO James Viola pointed to the recent tragic midair collision of a U.S. Army Black Hawk and the PSA CRJ-700 airliner that claimed the lives of all 67 aboard both aircraft at Washington DC's Reagan National Airport (DCA).

While it will be some time before the NTSB delivers its probable cause, Viola believes that an accident such as this highlights an ongoing effort to focus on see-and-avoid skills and that the issue likely will be addressed during the expo. He noted that focus is important not only as a lesson learned from accidents that have occurred but also as advanced air mobility vehicles begin to enter the market, potentially sharing airspace and airports.

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