Steve Sullivan Of Aris Helicopters Steps Up To Top Spot
The international pioneer helicopter pilot organization "Twirly
Birds" (TB), held their annual meeting in conjunction with the HAI
Heli-Expo this year in Houston, Texas. The event saw a record
number of members in attendance with almost 40 new members joining
the group. Outgoing longtime President, Mr. Jim Hamilton, conducted
the meeting before a group of over 150 members and associate
members.
During the meeting, Hamilton nominated Mr. Steve Sullivan as the
group’s President and he was unanimously approved by the
membership. Sullivan began his flying career in 1966 where he
soloed at Ft. Wolters, Texas, is a former Vietnam combat helicopter
pilot, and is the founder of Aris Helicopters. Aris grew from a
single helicopter operation to a fleet of over twenty aircraft
based in northern California, providing comprehensive helicopter
flight training, energy exploration, logging, aerial patrol, fire
fighting, SAR, and external load operations. The company was sold
by Sullivan in 2007. Mr. Sullivan is an HAI Board Member and past
President. Steve and Nancy Sullivan reside in northern
California.
Additionally, TB Treasurer, Mr. Bill Yarber will relinquish his
duties to Mr. Barry Desfor after many years of service to the pilot
organization. Yarber will now assume the duties of Twirly Bird
historian and will continue documenting the rich history of the
pilot group.
Desfor, also an industry pioneer, is the founder and Managing
Director of Heli-Value$, a used helicopter valuation service.
Heli-Value$ purchased The Official Helicopter Blue Book in 1990.
Desfor also began his helicopter flying career in the 1960s and
served as a Vietnam combat helicopter pilot as well as civil
helicopter pilot after active duty service.
Mr. Jim Kettles will continue as the Twirly Bird Vice President
and Membership Chairman. Kettles’ flying career began in the
1970s when he soloed as a U.S. Army helicopter pilot. He later flew
and managed helicopters professionally around the U.S., sold new
and used helicopters, and is now Director of Sales for Metro
Aviation, Inc.
Mr. Roger Gould, also a longtime helicopter pilot, will continue
as the Twirly Bird webmaster. Gould was an early Army helicopter
pilot after soloing in 1962 he flew two tours in Vietnam during the
1960’s. He retired in 1976 and is a past Vietnam Helicopter
Pilots Association (VHPA) President as well as one of the 66
founding members.
The Twirly Birds organization wishes to extend their sincere
appreciation to both Mr. Jim Hamilton and Mr. Bill Yarber for their
many years of volunteer efforts in support of the group. Both
Hamilton and Yarber are retired Bell Helicopter Textron employees
and both reside in Texas. Bill Yarber will now assume the
responsibility as the Twirly Bird historian.