For the global vertical lift community, what Santiago demonstrated in April 2026 is no longer an aspiration — it is a concrete reality. In a region where geography imposes extreme distances, inaccessible mountains, and endless coastlines, helicopters, eVTOLs, and VTOL systems are not niche technologies. They are critical infrastructure.
FIDAE 2026 understood that. And with this edition, it made sure the world did too.
María Jesús Ardura Fuentes is a private helicopter pilot and founder of BlueIce Patagonia Consulting, a strategic marketing consultancy specializing in the aviation industry. She covers South America for Rotor Pro magazine.