Events


VFS Annual Forum & Technology Display

May 16, 2023 - May 18, 2023

Paper and pen
logo web official

The Vertical Flight Society is the world’s oldest and largest technical society dedicated to enhancing the understanding of vertical flight technology. VFS is a non-profit, charitable educational and technical organization. Since it was founded as American Helicopter Society (AHS) in 1943 — just as the first US helicopter was being put into service — the Society has been the primary forum for interchange of information on vertical flight technology. According to the Society Bylaws, the purpose of the Society is to "advance the theory and practices of the science of vertical flight aircraft."

 

Our Mission


Provide opportunity for technical data exchange and dissemination;
promote awareness of vertical flight capabilities, challenges and development;
and foster interest in vertical flight careers and professional advancement.
 

 

Our Vision

An international organization that advocates, promotes and supports
global vertical flight technology and professional development.


 

Our Strategic Thrusts

Expand the membership
Develop a robust online presence
Return more value to the members
Be the leaders of advocacy for vertical flight technology

 

Each year, the Society organizes or co-sponsors several regional and international conferences that facilitate the advancement of the theory and practices of helicopter and other VTOL aircraft technology, and publishes their proceedings. The Society publishes the premier vertical flight technology bi-monthly magazine, Vertiflite, as well as the world’s only peer-reviewed vertical flight technical publication, The Journal of the AHS (JAHS). The Society advocates on behalf of rotorcraft technology to the public and to government bodies, awards some two dozen annual engineering scholarships, and sponsors an annual student design competition and other challenges for undergraduate and graduate student teams. In addition, it presents two dozen annual awards to members of the vertical flight technical community for scientific and technical accomplishments, inspiring rescues and promoting the goals of the Society.


The Vertical Flight Society — formally, the American Helicopter Society (AHS) International, Incorporated — is the world’s premier professional vertical flight technical society. Since its inception in 1943, the Society has provided an international forum through which to expand the body of knowledge of vertical flight. The United States Internal Revenue Service (IRS) recognizes the Society as a 501(c)(3) charity.