Organization Raised Profile, Got More Media Opportunities

The new "Heli-Center" at EAA AirVenture 2011 was hard to miss for anyone who walked the spectator area along the runway at Wittman Regional Airport. Standing two stories high with a second-floor observation balcony for members and guests, the venue is being hailed by Helicopter Association International (HAI) as a success for attracting increased visibility for the organization, and for the helicopter industry in general.

The facility proved to be the ideal venue to introduce visitors to the Helicopter Foundation International (HFI). Marty Pociask, vice president and curator of HFI, spoke about the Foundation’s many projects, including its mentoring program, the scholarships the Foundation supports as part of its mission, and plans for a virtual history of the helicopter museum. In turn, AirVenture staff allowed him the opportunity to peek behind the scenes and share ideas at the EAA museum, learning a little more about how they cover the helicopter side of flight.

Friday and Saturday brought attendees to the center in droves. HAI President Matt Zuccaro was interviewed by Craig Fuller, the CEO of AOPA, for broadcast on aopa.org. Fuller said many helicopter pilot members were happy to finally see a significant helicopter presence at the show. Fuller added that AOPA, like the HAI staff, was hearing from fixed-wing pilots who had an interest in gaining a helicopter rating. Zuccaro noted that the issues facing the fixed-wing community are, in many cases, the same as those facing the helicopter industry. They discussed the important collaboration on the Hudson River corridor accident and the important outcome regarding procedures and practices. Other topics ranged from helicopter use of ADS-B in the Gulf of Mexico, and the advancement in helicopter design.

Exhibitors at AirVenture featured advanced helicopter cockpit technology, from the Chelton Flight Systems Electronic Flight Instrument System (EFIS) featured in an Enstrom helicopter outside the Heli-Center, to the new Aspen glass panel and new Garmin G500H. Karen Gebhart, HAI’s vice president of Business Development & Expositions, met with Garmin representatives Scott Frye and Joe Stewart, who demonstrated the new features of the dual-screen electronic flight display.

HAI President Matt Zuccaro

Other drop-by visitors at the Heli-Center included John and Martha King of King Schools, Inc. Both hold helicopter CFI ratings and discussed the transition from fixed-wing to helicopter flight.

On July 30, Zuccaro was interviewed on EAA radio, and spoke about the work HAI does for its members, the diversity of the helicopter industry, Heli-Expo, transition from fixed-wing flight, and new technologies in helicopter design. He also highlighted the work of HFI.

EAA President Rod Hightower said the center drew "all positive feedback from EAA members and attendees." He commented that "HAI had a great presence and location, and fun things to do—including for children."

FMI: www.rotor.com