2027 Transformative Vertical Flight

Save the date for the 2027 Transformative Vertical Flight Conference taking place February 23-25, 2027 at the Long Beach Marriott. Join industry leaders, researchers for this premier event focused on advancing vertical flight technologies and applications. The event will feature the 14th Annual Electric VTOL Symposium, exploring emerging challenges and solutions and the Rotorcraft as a Service for Public Good Specialist Meeting, sponsored by the VFS SoCal Chapter, which will focus on real-world applications and impact of rotorcraft technologies.

The Rotorcraft for Public Service Specialists’ Meeting will bring together industry, government, and academic experts to discuss emerging technical challenges, operational needs, and innovative solutions for vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) aircraft supporting public service missions. These missions include emergency response, disaster relief, medical evacuation, infrastructure support, and environmental monitoring.

Technical Papers or Presentations are invited that advance technical understanding, analytical tools, and enable new technologies to improve the effectiveness of rotorcraft in public service roles. The meeting provides a forum for participants to discuss vehicle-level innovations, certification progress, operational challenges, and the evolving role of rotorcraft in serving societal needs, along with the airspace management system, supporting data, and functions required to enable safe, dense, and coordinated aerial operations.

General Chair: Dr. Michael Jones, Systems Technology, Inc. president@socal.vtol.org
Technical Chair: Steve Turnour, Robinson Helicopter Co.
Administrative Chair: Christian Dommell, Motivo

Topics: Papers or Presentations are invited in all areas related to rotorcraft/VTOL for public service missions, including both manned and unmanned flight (UAS). Topics of interest include but are not limited to the list below. Download the Call for Papers for detailed information.

• Rotorcraft and VTOL Vehicle Design for Public Service Missions (police, fire, search and rescue, surveillance, disaster relief)
• Aeromechanics and Environmental Interaction
• Flight Dynamics, Stability, and Control
• Fault-Tolerant and High-Reliability Flight Control Systems
• Sensing, Payload Integration, and Real-Time Mission Systems
• Operations in Degraded and Extreme Environments
• Airspace Management System
• Simulation, Modeling, and Digital Engineering
• Testing, Validation, and Flight Demonstration
• Certification, Safety, and Airspace Integration

Abstract Submittal: Please submit abstracts by October 4th 2026 to events@socal.vtol.org – refer to the Call for Papers for abstract submission information.

Deadlines:

• Final written technical papers will be due by February 8, 2027.
• All technical presentations will be due February 19, 2027.