Verticon 2025

Story and photos by Jeff Serpa

Verticon 2025 brought together the global vertical aviation industry for four days of education, discussion, and connection in Dallas, Texas. The world’s largest vertical aviation trade show and conference, concluded its 2025 show on Thursday March 13th. This was the first edition of Verticon, produced by Vertical Aviation International (VAI), since the association, formerly known as Helicopter Association International, announced the rebranding in February 2024, at the Anaheim HAI Heli Expo. Verticon 2025 brought together the best of the vertical aviation industry manufacturers including Airbus, Bell Helicopters, MD, Leonardo, and Robinson Helicopters. In addition to the helicopter manufacturers, suppliers, pilots, maintenance technicians, system operators and educators displayed to showcase the latest innovations in helicopters as well as the technology, products, and services that support vertical aviation.

The opening day of Verticon 2025 brought some big announcements form some of the top manufacturers in the industry. First day sales a Verticon 2025 started the show off strong. Airbus debut their new H140 multi mission helicopter, which had twenty five commitments the first day of the unveiling. “The H140 was designed by customers for customers. Signing with some of the world’s most prominent EMS operators shows that the H140 has hit the mark,” said Bruno Even, CEO of Airbus Helicopters. In addition to the H-140 commitments, Airbus also had firm orders for ten H-125’s and eleven H-135’s on the first day of Verticon 2025. Airbus Helicopters wrapped up the 2025 edition of Verticon with 118 commitments, including 63 firm orders, from customers worldwide for a variety of its multi-mission helicopters.

Major highlights for Airbus included more than 74 commitments for the H140, the new light twin engined multi-mission helicopter. Emergency medical services will be the first mission to enter into service for the H140. Major HEMS operators in the U.S. and in Europe — Global Medical Response, ADAC Luftrettung, ÖAMTC Flugrettung, Air Methods, Stat MedEvac, Metro Aviation, and DRF Luftrettung — signed orders and letters of intent for the helicopter. The Airbus H160 has started commercial offshore operations with operator PHI Aviation for Shell after an innovative route-proving program. Brazilian operator Omni signed a multi-services HCare contract ahead of the start of operations for Petrobras. New York State Police will become the first law enforcement agency in the U.S. to operate the H160 after announcing an order for one H160 and three H145 helicopters.

Bell Helicopters who will celebrate its 90th anniversary this year displayed its full Commercial aircraft portfolio at Verticon 2025. Bell Helicopters closed out 2024 with 172 deliveries to various segments, providing aircraft to the Royal Jordanian Air Force, Chicago PD, Quiktrip and more. The Bell team completed various fleet deals including ten Bell 525s to Equinor and fifteen Bell 407GXis to Global Medical Response. The Global Customer Solutions team announced new upgrades including the BasiX-Pro Glass Cockpit retrofit kit for Bell 412 and 429 models, as well as EASA certification for Garmin’s GFC™ 600H flight control system for the Bell 505.

In addition to its commercial portfolio on display, Bell proudly displayed one of its new Subaru Bell 412EPX models, the Kern County Fire 412EPX. Kern County is one of the many agencies in California that leverages the Subaru Bell 412EPX for firefighting missions to serve the citizens of California.

Robinson Helicopters announced its first all-new aircraft in nearly 15 years, the R88, a larger, and increasingly capable helicopter designed to meet a wider range of mission requirements while maintaining the company’s hallmark reliability, affordability, and safety. The R88 represents a significant expansion of Robinson Helicopter’s product portfolio, addressing the increasing demand for versatile and cost-effective single-engine utility helicopters. The highly configurable R88 is designed for a variety of missions, including aerial firefighting, air medical transport, utility work, passenger transport and more. Its adaptable interior design allows for quick reconfiguration, supporting various mission needs.

“With the unveiling of the R88, we expect to disrupt the single-engine helicopter market, offering superior performance and capabilities at a competitive price,” said David Smith, president and CEO of Robinson Helicopter Company. As the most vertically integrated manufacturer of helicopters in the world, we have a unique opportunity to provide solutions that no other manufacturer can – a highly-capable and affordable helicopter with readily available parts and predictable maintenance. This is exactly what our 10,000+ existing customers have come to expect from Robinson.” In addition to the their new R88, Robinson also announced the upgraded R66 NxG.

Verticon 2025 featured just under 700 exhibitors, including 44 aircraft from top aircraft manufacturers, in addition to 125 education and training sessions covering a wide range of topics, from automation to aerial firefighting. The VAI Safety Zone provided a diverse array of tools, technology, and services designed to help attendees elevate their safety culture, manage operational risk, and optimize mission effectiveness. Main Stage speakers, including noted film stunt pilot Fred North and “Supersonic Survivor” Brian Udell, provided their perspectives on risk management and using difficult experiences as a tool to excel.

Total attendance for Verticon 2025 was 14,000 attendees, representing 88 countries. “We are thrilled with the overwhelming success of Verticon 2025,” said James Viola, president and CEO of Vertical Aviation International (VAI). “This year’s event was an extraordinary opportunity to bring the vertical aviation community together and showcase the incredible progress being made in our rapidly evolving field. Vertical flight technology is poised to play a pivotal role in reshaping air transportation and creating more sustainable solutions for the future.” Look for Verticon in March of 2026, which will be held in Atlanta, Georgia.