Contributor

Mark Huber

After its first two years in Cologne, Germany, the European Rotors conference is moving&nbsp;to Madrid. This year’s show will be held November 28 to 30 with exhibitions in the IFEMA&nbsp;Convention Center. Organizers said they expect thousands of attendees, dozens of helicopters, and a variety of advanced air mobility&nbsp;vehicles. It is being produced by the Helicopter Association International&nbsp;and the in-country host is Ataire—Spain’s association of aerial and emergency works.&nbsp;&nbsp;
Highlights of the gathering include an all-day EASA symposium on November 27, educational sessions, presentations in the “Rotor Safety Zone,” updates on&nbsp;helicopter and VTOL developments, and workshops. Student teams will be able to participate in-person or online in “Rotorthon”—a challenge program where teams formulate VTOL industry solutions for topics &nbsp;such as support for disaster relief&nbsp;and joint use of drones and rotorcraft on missions.&nbsp;
“This event allows us to work directly with the manufacturers, suppliers, operators, and individuals that make up this industry,” said David Solar, EASA head of general aviation and VTOL development. “We use this show to collaborate with everyone on developing the latest and smartest safety programs.”
Show organizers noted that Spain has a particularly robust helicopter industry with annual economic activity valued at $357 million, including the contract use of 220 helicopters for firefighting, 40 for air ambulance flights, and another 30 for search and rescue.

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