Press Release

Issued by Vertical Aviation International.

February 21, 2013

The world's largest helicopter-only convention and trade show is coming to the Las Vegas Convention Center during the first week in March. More than 20,000 professionals from throughout the helicopter industry will attend the Helicopter Association International's Heli-Expo 2013.

Heli-Expo begins March 4, 2013, with business sessions, committee meetings, and seminars, including the annual Safety Symposium, featuring an address by National Transportation Safety Board Member Robert Sumwalt. The exhibit halls will open the following day, Tuesday, March 5, at 10:30 a.m. The halls will also be open Wednesday and Thursday, March 6 and 7, beginning at 10:00 a.m. each day.

Exhibit Hall Offers Wide Array of Helicopters, Products, and Services

From airframe manufacturers to weather-service providers, from AAR Corp. to Zodiac Services Americas, the number and variety of exhibitors who will fill the convention center's North and Central Halls are staggering. In addition to more than 720 exhibitors, some 60 helicopters are scheduled to be on display in exhibitor booths and not one, but two, indoor static display areas.

In addition, HAI has worked with the Federal Aviation Authority and the Las Vegas Convention Center to establish a temporary heliport right on the convention center grounds. The heliport will host the fly-in and fly-out as display aircraft arrive for and depart from Heli-Expo 2013. It will also be the staging area for demo flights by airframe manufacturers displaying their wares in the exhibit hall.

HAI's sister organization, the Helicopter Foundation International (HFI), will once again sponsor a Heritage of Helicopters display. This year's display will feature three Vietnam-era aircraft: a UH-1 Iroquois — better known as the Huey; an AH-1 Cobra gunship; and a remotely piloted helicopter known as a QH-50D "Snoopy." Also on display will be an early civilian helicopter, the Hiller Hornet.

Introducing the Rotor Safety Challenge

Heli-Expo has long been known for its education opportunities, with industry-leading courses designed specifically for helicopter industry professionals. This year, HAI is adding the Rotor Safety Challenge, a series of safety events, forums, and 60?minute education sessions in four different safety tracks: Safety Management, Flight Operations, Maintenance/Technical Issues, and Safety Culture/Leadership. The sessions are free to registered Heli-Expo attendees and exhibitors. Those who take six or more Rotor Safety Challenge courses will receive a certificate of recognition.

In addition, attendance at Rotor Safety sessions will count for credit toward the FAA Wings or Aviation Maintenance Technician programs.

Leading-Edge Professional Education

HAI Professional Education courses offer helicopter professionals — including operators, pilots, managers, maintenance technicians, young professionals, and transitioning military — opportunities to further their skills in five tracks: Career Development, Maintenance Skills, Management Skills, Pilot Skills, and Safety.

HAI is offering 27 courses this year, one of which is a helicopter-specific flight instructor refresher course. More than half the courses are new for 2013. The courses run from February 28 through March 10; a complete list and registration instructions are available online at rotor.com/courses.

Several HAI Professional Education courses offer credit toward renewal of inspection authorization (IA) certificates before or after the show. Attendees also have the option of attending one of the 31 Manufacturers' Technical Briefings that will be held on March 5 and 6 to earn credit toward their IA renewals.

Networking Opportunities Abound

Heli-Expo provides a unique opportunity for helicopter aviation professionals from across the industry and around the world to meet their colleagues and counterparts.

On Sunday, March 3, HFI will host its annual Scholarship Fundraising Golf Tournament at the Desert Pines Golf Club. This event is a great way to have some fun at a world-class golf course — all while contributing to the HFI scholarship fund for students pursuing careers in rotorcraft aviation. More information and registration is online at rotor.com/golf.

Heli-Expo opening day, Monday, March 4, will be devoted to business and safety, with numerous HAI committee meetings, the HAI Safety Symposium, and several safety workshops. Monday's events will end with a welcome reception open to all Heli-Expo attendees at the Encore at Wynn at 7:00 pm.

On Tuesday, March 5, HAI, which produces Heli-Expo, will hold its annual membership meeting and breakfast. HAI also hosts an all-day job fair on March 5 (10:30 am to 5:00 pm), giving mechanics, pilots, and other industry professionals the chance to find their next job opportunity.

And of course the Salute to Excellence Awards Dinner on Wednesday evening, March 6, is an opportunity for the helicopter industry to pay tribute to those who have exemplified the best the industry has to offer over the past year.