Vertical Aviation International (VAI), formerly Helicopter Association International (HAI), announces the appointment of Amber Harrison as its new director of regulatory affairs. In this pivotal role, Harrison helps oversee VAI’s regulatory portfolio, ensuring that members’ priorities are effectively addressed through coordination and collaboration with the full scope of international regulatory and standards authorities.

Harrison also helps manage VAI’s Industry Advisory Council Program (formerly VAI Working Groups), which fosters direct engagement among the association’s members, staff, and board of directors on key issues including safety, air medical, insurance, air tours, and numerous others.

“Ms. Harrison brings with her a unique blend of skills based on real-world experiences that will be of great value to our members and the VAI team,” says Chris Martino, senior director of operations at VAI. “The fact that she has her rotorcraft license and experience in the unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) space gives her an informed perspective as she works with regulators and standards organizations on issues important to our members.”

Harrison has held a private rotorcraft license since 2018 and received her commercial certification in 2020. She joins VAI from Zipline, a logistics and drone delivery company.

“As a commercially rated—and active—rotorcraft pilot who has spent a significant portion of my career in the UAS realm, joining VAI is an incredible opportunity for me, as it enables me to marry my passions to contribute to a unified and informed industry voice” Harrison says.

Harrison’s extensive legal background includes positions at CIRCOR Aerospace, where she managed a global contracts team, and Mitsubishi Aircraft Corporation America, where she established a comprehensive export compliance program. She is recognized for her significant contributions to the legal field and remains active in various professional and performance-related capacities.