Dear Friends,

It is with a heavy heart that we post this letter.  Our friend, colleague, and mentor, Ed Mahood, passed away last Saturday night, May 7, 2011.

As many of you know, Ed has been a part of the aviation profession for a long time. His dream growing up was to be an aviator. He was a lucky man to have what so few reach: Ed’s dream became his reality.

Ed served in the US Navy as a pilot in WWII and in Korea. In 1949-50 he was a Blue Angel. Ed freely admitted that he came over from the dark side of aviation.  Beginning in 1952, he spent fifteen years in aircraft sales for Cessna and Beechcraft dealerships.  He followed that as Vice President of Sabreliner Sales for Rockwell International, Inc. Ed received his helicopter rating in 1967, and subsequently spent six years as the Domestic Sales Manager for Bell Helicopter Textron.

Ed worked with The Official Helicopter Blue Book® from its inception in 1978 until his death Saturday. At HeliValue$, he was titled our Senior Analyst, but his influence spread throughout the company.  In addition to appraisals, he also performed appraisal reviews, provided valuable input in our marketing campaigns, and suggested the development of new and improved products.  Ed was always willing to help out in any capacity. His ideas and insights were invaluable to us.

Personally, Ed was a fantastic golfer and bridge player. Ed did not appreciate Chicago’s cold winters and moved to Arizona for the warmth and to be closer to his son Dennis. Having Ed move out of the office to a semi-retired employment did not allow us to see him enough. Ed would attend a few conventions and visit with the pioneers of the industry. It was wonderful to see his face light up when friends would come by.  A big “Hello” and laugh would escape as he would greet them.

Ed’s passing makes us realize how quickly time passes, and how much we will miss our friend.

Sharon Desfor, ASA, MRICS
President, HeliValue$, Inc