Social helicopter pilot group, Twirly Birds has announced the 2012 Les Morris Award Recipient as Mr. Elfan Ap Rees.  Mr. Ap Rees is a noted aviation historian, author, pilot and founder of The Helicopter Museum, the world’s largest dedicated collection of military and civil rotorcraft located in Weston-super-Mare, Somerset on the southwest coast of England.  After his first helicopter flight in 1960, Ap Rees went on to become a helicopter pilot with experience in over 80 model type aircraft over his long career.  He launched HELICOPTER International, in 1977, followed by HELiDATA News and Classified in 1980 and afterward, Military Helicopter News in 2005.  Mr. Ap Rees has received several prestigious awards to include the British Helicopter Advisory Board “Eric Brown” Trophy in 2002 for his contributions to the industry and also the American Helicopter Society (AHS) “John Schneider” Historical Award, in 2007 for his tireless work promoting the rotorcraft industry.  Mr. Ap Rees received the HAI “Excellence in Communication” award in 1987.

The Les Morris Award signifies the pioneering spirit of Twirly Birds and the award is reserved for members that have made an exemplary contribution to the helicopter community over their lifetime.  Twirly Bird President, Mr. Steve Sullivan will present the Les Morris Award for lifetime achievement to Mr. Elfan Ap Rees during their annual meeting on 12 FEB 2012 at 1800 hours in the Dallas Convention Center, Ballroom A, Section 1 during the 2012 HAI Heli-Expo.

About Twirly Birds Twirly Birds is an international organization founded in 1949 by pioneering pilots of helicopters and other vertical take-off aircraft. The sole purpose of this nonprofit organization of individuals is to recognize and foster the fellowship of those brought together by the common bond of vertical flight and to facilitate the cordial exchange of experience and opinions as the helicopter and other vertical take-off aircraft art progresses. For more information regarding the organization or membership categories and qualifications, please visit the Twirly Birds website at www.twirlybirds.org or by contacting Jim Kettles, membership chairman at tbmembership@yahoo.com.