HANGAR TALK INDUSTRY NEWS RELEVANT TO YOUR BUSINESS
VAI Applauds Launch of Louisiana Rotor Pathway Program
Vertical Aviation International (VAI) recently celebrated the launch of the Louisiana Rotor Pathway Program, an initiative connecting Louisiana high school students with education and career opportunities in vertical-aviation maintenance while allowing them to earn college credit.
The program is initially focused on introducing students to vertical-aviation maintenance through partnerships between industry, high schools, post-secondary institutions, and other stakeholders. Southern University at Shreveport (SUSLA) is providing curriculum and instruction at its facilities, with the first participating students coming from the Bossier Parish and Caddo Parish school districts.
The program comes as the vertical-aviation industry faces a growing need for qualified maintenance professionals. By introducing students to aviation maintenance while they are still in high school, the Rotor Pathway Program creates a direct route from education to careers in an essential segment of the industry.
“The launch of the Louisiana Rotor Pathway Program is a testament to the dedication, professionalism, and commitment to aviation demonstrated by leaders across Louisiana,” says Cade Clark, executive vice president of VAI. “There is a tremendous need in our industry to increase the number of qualified mechanics, and I am excited that Louisiana is leading an initiative that gives students the opportunity to discover rewarding careers in vertical-aviation maintenance. I want to thank the government, education, and industry partners who have stepped up to make this program a reality and are investing in the next generation of aviation mechanics.”
The Louisiana Rotor Pathway Program builds on the success of the Utah and North Dakota Rotor Pathway Programs, which serve as models for connecting students with education, training, and career opportunities in vertical aviation.
“Programs like this demonstrate what is possible when education and industry work together to address workforce needs,” Clark says. “Students gain access to the education and training needed for in-demand careers, while industry develops a workforce pipeline that can support future growth. I commend everyone involved in Louisiana for stepping up and being part of the solution.”
New EC135 Windshields and Nose Bubbles Now in Stock at Tech-Tool Plastics
Tech-Tool Plastics Inc. recently released new windshields and nose bubbles for the Airbus/Eurocopter EC135 and H135 helicopter family, built to the same standard of precision fit and durability that has defined the company’s windows for 50 years.
“I don’t usually have windows this clear,” said the test pilot after assessing Tech-Tool’s new EC135 windshield.
Superior optics Tech-Tool’s EC135 windshields and nose bubbles, available for all EC135 and H135 models, are manufactured in-house using the company’s own precision tooling. Every window holds a true, distortion-free shape from edge to edge. Tech-Tool’s proprietary technology yields optically superior windshields with no distortion, giving pilots a significantly cleaner sightline.
“Fifty years in, what we’re most proud of is that we keep showing up with the products operators actually need. There is a real gap in this market for EC135 windshields and nose bubbles that have easy availability and unrivaled clarity. That’s what drives us to keep expanding our product line, so every operator has access to windows they need when they need them.” said Tech-Tool Plastics President John Tracy Wilson.
Stocked and ready to ship
The new windshields and nose bubbles are currently in stock and ready to ship. Maintaining inventory levels for all of their products has been Tech-Tool’s long-standing priority, so when operators have a need they are quickly able to fill it.
36
Sept/Oct 2026
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92
