The FAA's Flight Standards Division has revised (Rev 1a) the Master Minimum Equipment List (MMEL) for the Sikorsky S-58.

Time is running out to register for the Technical Specialists' Meeting on Airworthiness, Condition Based Maintenance, and Health and Usage Monitoring, offered by the American Helicopter Society Redstone Chapter, with sponsorship from HAI, from Feb. 11-13 at the University of Alabama in Huntsville.

Alexandria, Va. - If you love to play golf, want to support the education of the next generation of pilots, mechanics and aviation technicians, and ensure preservation of helicopter history, here is the perfect opportunity!

On Thursday, February 7, 2013, join HAI, the FAASTeam, and a diverse panel of industry experts as they discuss regional issues affecting helicopter pilots, accident trends, personal risk assessment, safety initiatives, and more.

The early registration period for HELI-EXPO 2013 in Las Vegas ends at midnight Eastern Time this Friday night. Register before then and save 20-33% on one- and three-day registration fees!
 

HAI President Matt Zuccaro is heading to Michigan next weekend for the Great Lakes International Aviation Conference, Friday and Saturday, Jan. 25-26, on the campus of Eastern Michigan University in Ypsilanti, Mich. There, he'll deliver a keynote address based on his thought-provoking President’s Message, "Accidents: Are We Facilitating Them?"

On Jan. 15, HAI Director of Safety Stan Rose joined the FAA Safety Team in hosting a seminar for helicopter pilots at the Charlotte Motor Speedway in North Carolina.

HAI attended and exhibited at the 27th Annual Aviation Issues Conference, sponsored by the American Association of Airport Executives, on Maui, Hawaii, from Jan. 6-10.

Reach more than 20,000 helicopter industry professionals by advertising in the HELI-EXPO 2013 Program & Exhibit Guide!

If you're a woman and you work in the helicopter industry, HAI and Women in Aviation, International (WAI) need you! WAI will have a booth on the exhibit floor at HELI-EXPO 2013 in Las Vegas, March 5-7, and is looking for members to staff it. HAI and WAI are also looking for some help during WAI's annual convention a week later (March 14-16) in Nashville.

"These are excellent opportunities to showcase the roles woman play in the helicopter industry as pilots, technicians, and managers," said Karen Gebhart, HAI's vice president of business development and expositions, and a member of the WAI board of directors.

Helicopter Foundation International will once again have vintage aircraft on display at the Heritage of Helicopters Display at HELI-EXPO 2013 in Las Vegas, Nevada. We are currently seeking such aircraft and supporting sponsorships.

The Helicopter Foundation International is pleased to accept applications for the Maintenance Technician Certificate Scholarship, but time is running out to apply – the deadline is December 31!

Helicopter Foundation International is once again sponsoring a Heritage of Helicopters Display at HELI-EXPO in Las Vegas, Nevada, and is currently seeking both vintage aircraft and supporting sponsorships.

The FAA's Flight Standards Division has revised (Rev 1) the Master Minimum Equipment List (MMEL) for the S-58T, BH-204/205/210, EC225LP, and EC155.

On Dec. 6, HAI hosted the General Services Administration's Interagency Committee for Aviation Policy meeting at the association's headquarters in Alexandria, Va.

Time is fast running out to submit your entry in the ROTOR Magazine Photo Contest: all photos must be submitted by midnight ET on  Dec. 1, 2012. Don't put off your chance to share your winning photo!

Helicopter Foundation International will stop accepting applications for the Commercial Helicopter Rating, Maintenance Technician Certificate, Michelle North Scholarships, and Bill Sanderson Scholarships this Friday!

The FAA is under a mandate to replace all paper certificates with plastic certificates. All certificated Airmen, including mechanics, repairmen, pilots, etc., are required to replace their paper copy with a plastic copy, or they will no longer be able to exercise the privileges of that certificate.

The FAA's Flight Standards Division has revised (Rev 1) the Master Minimum Equipment List (MMEL) for the Eurocopter EC155.

HAI will offer 27 professional education courses at HELI-EXPO 2013, including 14 that are new for 2013. Take advantage of these great development opportunities and register today!

As the United States marks Veterans Day this November 11, the Helicopter Association International joins the nation in recognizing and offering thanks for the men and women who have served in the military and other uniformed services.

HAI welcomes a number of new members for the month of October. Working on behalf of the international helicopter community, HAI provides its members with vital services that significantly benefit their operations, through programs and initiatives that enhance safety and encourage professionalism and economic viability.

Fly in or drive to a FREE workshop for all helicopter pilots, operators, students and instructors in the Midwest region! Join HAI safety director, FAA Safety Team, a cast of industry experts, and your peers in the goal to reach the highest level of safety!

HAI President Matt Zuccaro and 19 other aviation industry leaders have sent a letter to Acting FAA Administrator Michael Huerta on behalf of their associations, urging the FAA to continue to press forward with the integration of Unmanned Aircraft Systems into the U.S. National Airspace System.

With the Nov. 19 comment deadline for the FAA's revision of Part 145 repair station regulations fast approaching, members of the aviation industry met with FAA officials and the U.S. Small Business Administration on Nov. 5 to discuss the FAA's proposed aviation repair stations rule, and its effect on aviation businesses.

From October 30, to November 1, HAI took part in the National Business Aviation Association's 65th Annual Meeting & Convention, despite Hurricane Sandy's landfall on the east coast grounding more than 13,000 flights throughout the U.S.

The FAA's Flight Standards Division has revised (Rev 1) the Master Minimum Equipment List (MMEL) for the Eurocopter EC155.

This is the weekend that most of the United States switches back from Daylight Saving Time to Standard Time. The change occurs at 2:00 a.m. local time on Nov. 4 (Saturday night into Sunday). Set your clocks one hour earlier (adding one hour to the length of the night).

Grant Bell has been named HAI's new videographer. Grant's previous work includes a position as an A/V production specialist for the Saylor Foundation and experience as an international multimedia reporter in Urbino, Italy. He also worked as the director of photography on the short film, Writer's Block, which won an honorable mention at the 2012 BEA Film Festival.

HFI is accepting applications for the Maintenance Technician Certificate Scholarship, geared towards students enrolled in an FAA Part 147 school (or international equivalent) who plan to become certified helicopter maintenance technicians.

On Thurs., Oct. 18, HAI President Matt Zuccaro welcomed Mustafa Ataç, CEO of longtime HAI member Redstar Aviation of Istanbul, Turkey.

Three pilots, including an R44 helicopter pilot, learned the hard way the consequences of not checking NOTAMs during a presidential campaign season. All three busted a temporary flight restriction over the Williamsburg, Va. area, imposed while President Barack Obama was there preparing for his debate with Gov. Mitt Romney on Tues., Oct. 16. With the presidential race tightening and both candidates campaigning hard in the final three weeks, it is imperative that pilots flying anywhere in the United States check for NOTAMs for last minute TFRs immediately before every departure.

Helicopter Foundation International is excited to have several heritage aircraft on display at HELI-EXPO 2013 in Las Vegas. We are currently seeking sponsorships for those aircraft.

Why does HAI - an organization focused on rotary-wing aircraft - attend fixed-wing shows? Because of who attends. HAI President Matt Zuccaro had an opportunity to meet with U.S. Reps. Sam Graves (R-Mo.) and Jerry Costello (D-Ill.) while attending the AOPA Aviation Summit Oct. 11-13.

On Wed., Oct. 10, 2012, at the request of the Federal Aviation Administration's Office of International Affairs, Helicopter Association International joined forces with PHI Air Medical Group to host a delegation of 30 Chinese aviation professionals at the Leesburg Executive Airport in Leesburg, Virginia.

The annual fall HAI Aerial Firefighting and Natural Resources Committee will meet November 26-28 at the Grove Hotel in Boise, Idaho. The annual HAI firefighting meetings are a must-attend event for all helicopter operators under contract to the federal government for wildland firefighting support.

HAI President Matt Zuccaro will host the annual Firefighting Safety Forum on November 27 with participation from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). The U.S. Forest Service, Department of the Interior's Office of Aviation Services, and the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC) will host a full day of contract briefings on November 28.

HAI is proud to welcome the following new members for the month of September. Working on behalf of the international helicopter community, HAI provides its members with vital services that significantly benefit their operations, through programs and initiatives that enhance safety and encourage professionalism and economic viability.

At HELI-EXPO 2013, HAI is offering 27 different professional education courses, taught by some of the best instructors in the industry. Each course, designed specifically for helicopter professionals, targets important issues for operators, pilots, managers, maintenance professionals, young professionals, and transitioning military.

Thanks to your feedback, HAI will offer 14 brand new courses.

I hope the title of this message got your attention. And no, I am not saying the helicopter industry intentionally causes accidents. But are we acting on all the information we possess to prevent accidents?

On May 21, 2012, the FAA issued a Notice of Proposed Rule Making in an attempt to clarify and update the Part 145 regulations governing repair station certification.

The Federal Aviation Administration is conducting the 34th annual General Aviation and Part 135 Activity Survey for calendar year 2011. This survey is used by the FAA to measure the size and activity of the general aviation fleet – INCLUDING HELICOPTERS!

For more than 50 years, HAI has recognized the outstanding achievements and exceptional merits of individuals and organizations through the Salute to Excellence Awards. The Pilot of the Year Award is one such award.

For more than 50 years, HAI has recognized the outstanding achievements and exceptional merits of individuals and organizations through the Salute to Excellence Awards. The W.A. (Dub) Blessing Certified Flight Instructor of the Year Award is one such award.

Chasity Hinken has been named HAI's executive assistant to the president.

As the trade show portion of the ILA Berlin show comes to a close, HAI President Matt Zuccaro participated in the key conference, "Road Map to the Future (Heavy) Transport Helicopter."

HAI joins the nation and the world on this, the eleventh anniversary of the September 11th terrorist attacks, in honoring those who lost their lives and in grieving with those who lost loved ones.

HAI is proud to welcome a number of new members for the month of August. Working on behalf of the international helicopter community, HAI provides its members with vital services that significantly benefit their operations, through programs and initiatives that enhance safety and encourage professionalism and economic viability.

Scattered around the U.S. are nine FAA regions, 10 Aircraft Certification Offices, and more than 80 Flight Standards District Offices. That these are not always on the same page when it comes to the application or interpretation of regulations comes as no surprise to anyone in the aviation industry.

Start reaching out to HELI-EXPO attendees before they even get to the show by advertising in ROTOR - build your audience now with EXPO attendees and HAI's record-breaking membership of more than 3,300 companies and individuals in the international helicopter community. Only one week remains to reserve your ad space for the fall issue!

Helicopter Foundation International is accepting scholarship applications from students in the helicopter industry.

If you are an HAI member with a helicopter to sell, the association has a free service to help you find a buyer. And whether you are a member or not, the Aircraft for Sale listings are a great place to begin your search if you are in the market for a helicopter.

HAI, in partnership with the FAA Safety Team (FAASteam), will host a free, two-day safety seminar, Aug. 24-25, in Des Plaines, Ill. for all helicopter pilots in the Great Lakes region.

At HELI-EXPO 2013 in Las Vegas, Nev., HAI and the HAI Safety Committee will debut the Rotor Safety Challenge - a new initiative offering free safety events, forums, and short courses to HELI-EXPO attendees. There is only one day left for industry experts and educators to submit short course proposals!

HAI Vice President of Regulations and International Affairs Dave York is heading to New Zealand this week for that country's Aviation Industry Association's annual Aviation Week conference. On Friday, August 10, he'll speak about global safety initiatives.

Helicopter Foundation International is accepting applications for the 18 scholarships it awards to students in the helicopter industry!

Keep up with all the latest happening at the HAI HELI-CENTER^TM at EAA's AirVenture in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. Be sure to visit HAI's EAA AirVenture Update page to see what HAI President Matt Zuccaro and the rest of the HAI staff in Oshkosh are doing to teach the fixed-wing general aviation community about all that helicopters do.

For the second year in a row, HAI has a big, front row presence at the biggest general aviation fly-in in the world – EAA's AirVenture in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. A steady stream of first-day visitors passed through the two-story HELI-CENTER, located just off the flightline

Instilling a love of flight early is vital to developing future generations of helicopter pilots and technicians. If you are planning to bring your children to EAA's AirVenture in Oshkosh, Wis., give them something to do that is just for them at the HAI HELI-CENTER Kidzone.

On Wed., July 18, an African delegation ended their two week Reverse Trade Mission to the U.S. with a visit to HAI.

Airborne law enforcement officers may have extremely serious jobs, but they also know how to have fun. An exhibiting team from Helicopter Association International learned just how much at this year's Airborne Law Enforcement Association's 42nd Annual Conference & Exposition in Reno, Nev.

At HELI-EXPO 2013 in Las Vegas, Nev., HAI and the HAI Safety Committee will debut the Rotor Safety Challenge — a new initiative offering free safety events, forums, and short courses.

HELI-EXPO 2013 housing is now open.

Matt Zuccaro: As many of you know, I am passionate about safety and unreasonable regulatory and political initiatives, but I thought it might be nice to discuss my other passion — the people that make up this great industry of ours.

The Highway Transportation Bill conference report has cleared both chambers of Congress by wide margins and now heads to President Obama’s desk for signature. Congress hopes to have the bill to the White House before the current funding authorization expires at midnight on Saturday, but given the complexity of the bill, has passed a seven-day extension in case they miss the deadline. “We could not have asked for a better outcome,” said HAI President Matt Zuccaro. “In the end, common sense prevailed and lawmakers listened.”

HAI is dedicated to bringing our members the most useful, most relevant, most interesting information available about the vertical lift industry. So the ROTOR magazine editorial staff wants to know – what matters most to you?

Cautious optimism on Capitol Hill over chances of Highway bill being passed before expiration of current programs. House Transportation & Infrastructure Chairman John Mica expected to brief GOP transportation bill conferees June 21 on progress made. However, it remains to be seen whether House GOP will accept compromise positions.

Nominations for the 2013 Salute to Excellence Awards program, to be held during HELI-EXPO 2013 in Las Vegas, Nev., will open July 2, 2012. Are you thinking about who should be honored in 2013 for their exemplary contributions to the rotorcraft industry?

There are many ways to help Helicopter Foundation International in its mission to preserve helicopter history and to ensure that today’s students will consider our industry as a career choice and become tomorrow’s helicopter professionals.

The threat of a bill (S.1813) that contains a poison pill (S.Amdt.1779) for the air tour industry and all of aviation remains dangerously alive, even as House and Senate conferees remain at loggerheads on issues large and small.

We must assume that a conference bill will emerge. Therefore it is imperative that HAI members call — not fax, not email, but call — the offices of members on the conference committee.

This Saturday, June 16, Derek McGuire from HAI’s membership department is representing HAI at Rotors ‘N Ribs at the Goshen Municipal Airport in Goshen, Ind.

From June 8-9 at the Greater Rochester International Airport in New York, the Monroe County Airport Authority partnered with the FAA, USAirports, and HAI to bring a seminar addressing safety and risk management for aviation operators and maintenance technicians.

Join HAI Director of Safety Stan Rose, Rochester FSDO, and numerous helicopter experts on June 9 to address safety and risk management for helicopter operators and maintenance technicians.

HAI President Matt Zuccaro and a team of HAI staff members met on Tues., June 5, with ITT Exelis at the company’s offices near Dulles International Airport outside Washington, D.C. to discuss the benefits of the Next Generation Air Traffic System (NextGen) to helicopter operators.

HAI is proud to welcome a number of new members for the month of May. Working on behalf of the international helicopter community, HAI provides its members with vital services that significantly benefit their operations - through programs and initiatives that enhance safety and encourage professionalism and economic viability.