49th Year Of Recognizing Companies And Individuals In The Rotary Wing Community

The Helicopter Association International (HAI) is proud to announce its "Salute to Excellence" award winners for 2010. The "Salute to Excellence" Awards program, now in its 49th year, recognizes outstanding achievement performed by individuals or companies in the international helicopter community. Winners will be recognized during the HAI "Salute to Excellence" banquet and awards ceremony to be held on Monday, February 22, 2010, at HELI-EXPO 2010 in Houston, Texas.

The Winners Are:

• Rolls-Royce Excellence in Helicopter Maintenance Award: Robert Peterson; Consultant, Columbia Helicopters, Inc., Aurora, Oregon
• Sikorsky Humanitarian Service Award: Crew of CGNR 6033; U.S. Coast Guard, Coast Guard Air Station Clearwater, Florida
• AgustaWestland Safety Award: Terry Palmer; Manager of Rotorcraft Programs, Flight Safety International, Dallas, Texas
• W. A. (Dub) Blessing Certified Flight Instructor of the Year Award: Tom Read; Check Airman and Flight Instructor, Omniflight Helicopters, Addison, Texas
• Eurocopter Golden Hour Award: Crew of CGNR 6573; U.S. Coast Guard, Coast Guard Air Station Kodiak, Alaska
• Excellence in Communications Award: Ken Swartz; North American Editor, Helicopter International and HELiDATA News, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
• Bell Helicopter Lifetime Achievement Award: John C. Agor; President, Associated Aircraft Group, Inc., Wappingers Falls, New York
• Bell Helicopter Lifetime Achievement Award: Tim Wahlberg; Chairman of the Board, Evergreen International Aviation, Inc. McMinnville, Oregon
• MD Helicopters Law Enforcement Award: New Zealand Police Air Support Unit; Auckland, New Zealand
• Pilot of the Year Award: Earl S Palmer; Chief Pilot, Hillcrest Aircraft Company, Lewiston, Idaho

FMI: www.rotor.com