Vertical Flight Society United Kingdom Chapter

17/05/2026

VFS UK Public Relations Officer and Vertiflite magazine contributor Ian V. Frain was at Private Flyer at Wycombe Air Park over the weekend.

Airbus Corporate Helicopters ACH125

Helx_Av Bell 206 Jet Ranger

Heliair Robinson Helicopters R44 Raven I and II and Cadet

(All photos by Ian V. Frain)

10/04/2026

Here is the result of the VFS Uk Chapter Awards for 2026.

10/04/2026

10/04/2026

https://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/news/2026/march/08/20260308-crowsnest-merlin-departs

A Royal Navy Merlin airborne surveillance and control helicopter is today en route to the eastern Mediterranean to boost the defence of UK military forces.

10/04/2026

https://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/news/2026/march/07/20260307-wildcats-akrotiri

Royal Navy Wildcat helicopters from 815 Naval Air Squadron have arrived in Cyprus to bolster air defences in the Eastern Mediterranean.

28/03/2026

Leonardo awarded UK New Medium Helicopter contract with the AW149, with deliveries scheduled for 2031.

https://www.leonardo.com/en/press-release-detail/-/detail/02-03-2025-leonardo-uk-mod-announces-1gbp-billion-contract-award-for-23-new-medium-helicopters

28/03/2026

VFS UK Public Relations Officer and Vertiflite magazine contributor Ian V. Frain was at Wattisham Flying Station (home of the British Army Army Air Corps Attack Helicopter Force) last week to see Exercise Faraday Field 26-1.

This exercise has a Maritime Counter Terrorist theme involving the use of the Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm (FAA) Commando Helicopter Force (CHF) Leonardo AW101 Merlin MK IV and Leonardo AW159 Wildcat HMA2 supporting the United Kingdom Special Forces such as the Special Boat Squadron (SBS) off the English Channel and the lower part of the North Sea.

(All photos by Ian V. Frain)

06/03/2026

The Vertical Flight Society UK Chapter held their annual meeting at Hill Helicopters facility in the West Midlands where the opportunity to meet Dr Jason Hill the founder and owner of Hill Helicopters. Dr Hill had received award during last years chapter meeting at the Royal Air Force Club in London.

Began with tour of the facility then lunch and then presentations afterwards.

So big thankyou to Dr Jason Hill and colleagues who made this happen.

(All photos by Ian V. Frain)