European Rotors, the VTOL show and helicopter safety conference, is further expanding its network with the announcement that it has entered into a partnership with Vertical Flight Society (VFS), which represents the international technical community working to advance vertical flight technology. The cooperation with VFS is a milestone as it will add additional high-level technical and scientific sessions on vertical flight technology to the conference programme of the new show.

VFS will support the new show format for the rotorcraft industry, which will take place in Cologne, Germany, from 16 to 18 November 2021. It is on course to provide the industry with the long-awaited opportunity to meet in person again.

VFS organises the Annual Forum & Technology Display in North America, the world's largest and longest-running internationally recognised technical event on vertical flight technology. This year, the 77th Annual Forum takes place from 10 to 14 May. The five-day virtual event will include more than 225 papers on every discipline from acoustics to unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), as well as invited presentations and discussions by more than 50 leaders in industry and government on the latest developments in helicopters, advanced rotorcraft and other types of VTOL aircraft.

As part of the conference programme for European Rotors VFS will host several high-ranking educational and technical sessions on different aspects concerning the exciting future of vertical flight.

European Rotors, jointly organised by the European Helicopter Association (EHA) and EASA, is bringing together major OEMs from the industry as well as operators, users, pilots and authorities. Joining forces all together is a key to a successful recovery after the COVID-19-pandemic, which has negatively impacted the rotorcraft industry and stifled its growth.

Dr. Frank Liemandt, show director of European Rotors, says: “We are very excited to be working with the highly respected Vertical Flight Society and look forward to a high-level programme. The collaboration with VFS is similar to an accolade for European Rotors.”

David Solar, head of the general aviation and VTOL department at EASA, adds: “We are glad to welcome the contribution of the Vertical Flight Society to the conference programme of European Rotors. Research and technology are key pillars supporting the development of the VTOL community.”

Mike Hirschberg, executive director of the Vertical Flight Society, comments: “We are very pleased to work with European Rotors. Europe is a leading innovator of advanced rotorcraft and advanced air mobility (AAM). We are very excited to showcase the international progress in revolutionary technologies, such as high-speed rotorcraft and electric VTOL, at European Rotors.”

Founded in 1943 as the American Helicopter Society, the Vertical Flight Society is a leading international technical society for engineers, scientists and others working to advance vertical flight technology. It has more than 6,000 individual and 150 corporate members.

European Rotors will take place from 16 to 18 November 2021. The venue will be Hall 8 including the Congress Centre North of Koelnmesse in Cologne, Germany. The organisers are in constant contact with the authorities and have set up all necessary precautions and measures to ensure the health and safety of all exhibitors and attendees.