Obituaries

Frank Robinson 1930-2022

Frank Robinson 1930-2022

13-Nov-2022Source: RHC

On November 12, 2022 Robinson Helicopter Company bid a final farewell to its founder, Frank Robinson. Robinson, 92, passed away peacefully at his Rolling Hills, California home. One of the most recognizable names in the helicopter industry, Frank Robinson was a pioneer, a man not driven by reward or accolades but by a vision that... Read more

SRT Helicopters announces passing of Senior Instructor Matt Novellino

SRT Helicopters announces passing of Senior Instructor Matt Novellino

14-Mar-2022Source: SRT Helicopters

SRT Helicopters of Bakersfield, California, has lost a cherished member of its team. “It is with great sadness that we report the death of one of our senior instructors, Matt Novellino,” said company CEO Chris Gadbois in a statement. “Matt was indispensable and wore many hats.  We offer our condolences to all his family and... Read more

Obituary – Russian Helicopters test pilot Gurgen Karapetyan

Obituary – Russian Helicopters test pilot Gurgen Karapetyan

8-Dec-2021Source: Russian Helicopters

The Russian Helicopters holding of Rostec State Corporation expresses deep condolences to the family and friends in connection with the death of the Hero of the Soviet Union, Honored Test Pilot of the Soviet Union, Adviser to the General Director of the Russian Helicopters holding on flight safety Gurgen Rubenovich Karapetyan. “The whole life of... Read more

Heliski pioneer Mike Wiegele dies aged 82

Heliski pioneer Mike Wiegele dies aged 82

19-Jul-2021Source: MWHS

Mike Wiegele, whose passion and gritty determination both created and fulfilled the world’s heliskiing dreams for more than 50 years, has died aged 82. The entire team of Mike Wiegele Helicopter Skiing (MWHS) extend their deepest sympathies to the Wiegele family, most notably Mike’s wife Bonnie, their daughter Michelle and their grandson Charlie. Mike’s close... Read more

Obituary – Dennis Kenyon – 3 October 1932 – 28 October 2020

Obituary – Dennis Kenyon – 3 October 1932 – 28 October 2020

28-Oct-2020Source: HeliHub.com

It was with great sadness that the HeliHub.com office heard of the passing of Dennis Kenyon. Many people across the UK helicopter industry have been touched by Dennis’ enthusiasm over many years, and rotary wing aviation is the poorer after his death today in Herefordshire after a short illness. As we have exchanged anecdotes with... Read more

AHS Remembers Dean Carico (1944-2017)

AHS Remembers Dean Carico (1944-2017)

12-Dec-2017Source: AHS

Gerald Dean Carico, 73, a US Navy aerospace engineer, passed away on Nov. 18, 2017. Carico was a driving force in Navy and Army rotary wing flight test, and especially dynamic interface simulation, for more than 40 years. At the time of his retirement, he was the senior aerospace engineer at Rotary Wing Ship Suitability... Read more

AHS Remembers Barney McCormick (1926-2017)

AHS Remembers Barney McCormick (1926-2017)

11-Dec-2017Source: AHS

Dr. Barnes Warnock McCormick, Jr., Boeing Professor Emeritus at The Pennsylvania State University, passed away on Oct. 29 at the age of 91. At Penn State, McCormick’s impact on academia, industry and government spanned nearly 60 years, and his teaching inspired and guided the careers of countless engineers at work today in the global vertical flight technical... Read more

AHS Remembers Jim Kagdis

AHS Remembers Jim Kagdis

5-Oct-2016Source: AHS

Jim Kagdis, 59, passed away on Sept. 15, 2016, after a 20-year battle against pheochromocytoma (PCC), a rare tumor of the adrenal glands. Raised in Edison, New Jersey, James Ayoub Kagdis graduated from St. Pius X High School and earned his BA in History from Wagner College on Staten Island, New York; he was a... Read more

Kaman CEO informs of passing of predecessor Paul Kuhn

Kaman CEO informs of passing of predecessor Paul Kuhn

30-Sep-2016Source: Kaman

It is with deep sadness that I inform you of the passing over the weekend of my predecessor as CEO, Paul Kuhn. Paul, who joined Kaman in 1999, served as Chairman, President and CEO, retiring in February 2008. He had the unenviable task of succeeding Mr. Kaman after his fifty-five years as CEO. Paul led... Read more

Obituary – Santino Pancotti of AgustaWestland

Obituary – Santino Pancotti of AgustaWestland

16-Sep-2016Source: AHS

Santino Pancotti, former technical lead for Agusta and AgustaWestland, passed away on Sunday, August 28, 2016. He was 75. Pancotti was born in Dec. 1940 and joined Agusta in 1958. Initially he worked on Bell 47s licensed from the Fort Worth manufacturer. As a junior designer, he worked on the development of the A102, A103,... Read more

HAI mourns former chairman

HAI mourns former chairman

24-Jun-2016Source: HAI

Wanda Lee Rogers, former chairman of HAI’s Board of Directors and the longtime president and CEO of Rogers Helicopters, in Clovis, California, passed away last month at the age of 83. Rogers, who died May 26, founded the company with her husband Harry in 1962 with a Hiller 12E and a Hiller 12A, “minimal capital... Read more

WAI mourns pioneer Mary Feik

WAI mourns pioneer Mary Feik

14-Jun-2016Source: WAI

We are deeply saddened to learn of WAI Pioneer Mary Feik’s passing June 10, 2016. Mary, WAI #53, was a maintenance instructor for the US Army Air Corps, and later became the first woman engineer in R&D for the USAF Air Technical Service Command. She was a renowned ambassador for the Civil Air Patrol, the... Read more

AHS Mourns the Loss of Glid Doman

AHS Mourns the Loss of Glid Doman

12-Jun-2016Source: AHS

Glidden (Glid) Sweet Doman, 95, a pioneer in the American helicopter industry, died Monday, June 6, 2016. He was an Emeritus Member of AHS International, having joined the then-American Helicopter Society in 1945. Doman was born in Syracuse, NY on January 28, 1921 and grew up in nearby Elbridge. In his teens, he built motorized... Read more

Legendary pilot Eric Brown dies aged 97

Legendary pilot Eric Brown dies aged 97

22-Feb-2016Source: HeliHub.com

British pilot Eric “Winkle” Brown has died at the age of 97.  A pioneer in every sense of the word, Brown holds the record for having flown 487 different aircraft types, a world record that is unlikely to ever be matched – and only includes basic types (he flew 14 different marks of Spitfire/Seafire, for... Read more

Statement from the family of the late Jeff Pino

Statement from the family of the late Jeff Pino

12-Feb-2016Source: via BDN Aerospace Marketing

The family of Jeff Pino today issued a statement about the loss of their beloved son, brother and friend on February 5. “While our hearts are broken, we are comforted by the outpouring of support from people who knew, loved and respected Jeff. He has touched so many lives in so many ways and, though... Read more

Former Sikorsky president killed in Arizona warbird crash

Former Sikorsky president killed in Arizona warbird crash

8-Feb-2016Source: HeliHub.com

The following statement has been issued by Sikorsky’s current President, Dan Schultz The Sikorsky family is saddened to learn of the sudden loss of former President Jeff Pino.  We extend our heartfelt condolences and prayers of sympathy and support to his family and friends during this difficult time.  During his six years as President of... Read more

First HAI president passes – aged 101

First HAI president passes – aged 101

16-Nov-2015Source: HAI

Jim Ricklefs — founder of Ricks Helicopters, the last surviving founding member of the California Helicopter Association (which would grow to be HAI), and the first president of that association — passed away last Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2015. He was 101. “The loss of Jim Ricklefs is the loss of part of our institutional heritage,”... Read more

Helinet Chairman killed in Colombia fixed-wing crash

Helinet Chairman killed in Colombia fixed-wing crash

14-Sep-2015Source: KTLA 5

Two people were killed, including the Chairman of Los Angeles-based Helinet Aviation, when a plane being used by a crew filming a new Tom Cruise movie crashed in Colombia, the company confirmed to KTLA on Friday night. See full story ... Read more

Founder of Memorial Hermann LifeFlight in Houston dies aged 86

Founder of Memorial Hermann LifeFlight in Houston dies aged 86

3-Sep-2015Source: Chron

Dr. James “Red” Duke Jr., Houston’s iconic, cowboy-style doctor who delivered homespun health advice on nationally syndicated television and founded the Life Flight helicopter ambulance system, died Tuesday. He was 86. See Full Story... Read more

Everett Aviation Chief Pilot dies in Tanzania road accident

Everett Aviation Chief Pilot dies in Tanzania road accident

30-Mar-2015Source: HeliHub.com

Mark Hammond, 46, died in an accident outside of Dar Es Salaam on Tuesday March 17.  Appointed Chief Pilot of Everett Aviation in August 2013, Hammond had lived in the Tanzanian city for a year and was riding a motorbike on his way home from work when the accident occurred. Hammond is survived by sons... Read more

Helicopter world speed record holder Trevor Egginton dies

Helicopter world speed record holder Trevor Egginton dies

8-Dec-2014Source: Western Gazette

The man who broke the world speed record for flying a helicopter has died aged 81. See Full Story... Read more

New Zealand – Owner of Hill Country Helicopters dies in accident

New Zealand – Owner of Hill Country Helicopters dies in accident

28-Oct-2014Source: HeliHub.com

Press in New Zealand is reporting the death of Peter Robb in a helicopter accident earlier today.  See our page for this accident at 28-Oct-14 ZK-ITJ MD Helicopters MD500E Brunswick, New Zealand (1F) Multiple sources are quoting the helicopter contacted wires while spraying at low level, causing it to crash onto a road Mr Robb’s... Read more

AHS Mourns the Passing of Ray Prouty

AHS Mourns the Passing of Ray Prouty

9-Oct-2014Source: AHS

It is with great sadness that AHS International recognizes the passing of one of the rotorcraft community’s pioneers, Ray Prouty, who passed away on Friday, September 26. He was 88. In addition to his achievements in the technical field, Prouty was known for his generosity and commitment in sharing his knowledge with others, in particular... Read more

Obituary – Flying TV’s MD Mike Smith

Obituary – Flying TV’s MD Mike Smith

4-Aug-2014Source: Flying TV

From Flying TV’s website:- Mike Smith 1955-2014 It’s with enormous sadness and regret that we share with you the passing of our founder and MD, Mike Smith. Mike died on Friday 1st August in hospital, following complications from major heart surgery. His wife Sarah, his family, Mona and JP were with him. One of his... Read more

LAFD mourns the loss of fire helicopter pilot Brian Lee

LAFD mourns the loss of fire helicopter pilot Brian Lee

12-Jun-2014Source: LAFD

The Los Angeles Fire Department is saddened to announce the off-duty death of LAFD Fire Helicopter Pilot / Firefighter Paramedic Brian Lee. On Monday, June 9, 2014, around 11:15 a.m, Brian and a civilian passenger were involved in the crash of a fixed wing aircraft at the northwest end of El Mirage Dry Lake. Off-duty... Read more

Helicopter Camera Pioneer Brian McMahon Flies West

Helicopter Camera Pioneer Brian McMahon Flies West

20-Mar-2014Source: HAI

Brian Patrick McMahon, president and founder of McMahon Helicopter Services, Inc. and cofounder of the Michigan Helicopter Association, passed away February 9. He was 63. As an entrepreneur, innovator, inventor, professional aviator, and flight instructor, Brian was recognized by many as a pioneer in helicopter aviation. Brian became involved with helicopters during service as a... Read more

Head of Italian Army Aviation killed in training crash

Head of Italian Army Aviation killed in training crash

26-Jan-2014Source: HeliHub.com

The Italian military has reported the untimely death of Major General Feltrinelli Calligaris, head of Italy’s Army aviation unit. The General was the instructor in an Agusta-Bell JetRanger which crashed on Mount Martha, near the Viterbo military base. Student pilot Lieutenant Paolo Tozzi was also killed in the accident. Major General Calligaris was appointed to... Read more

Rogers Helicopters founder dies aged 84

Rogers Helicopters founder dies aged 84

24-Jan-2014Source: Modesto Bee

Robert “Harry” Rogers and his wife, Wanda, founded Rogers Helicopters in 1962 in Clovis and stayed there for three decades before moving the operation to Fresno Yosemite International airport. See full story... Read more

Russian Sport Ministry pays tribute to Margarita Afanaskin

Russian Sport Ministry pays tribute to Margarita Afanaskin

19-Sep-2013Source: Russian Sport Ministry

[electronic translation] On Monday, 16 September, in the course of the search and rescue operation in the area of ​​the village Selco Staritskogo region Tver region Internal Affairs Ministry and the Emergencies Ministry found the wreckage of helicopter AgustaWestland AW119 Koala, who disappeared under mysterious circumstances on Saturday, September 14. The pilot of the crashed helicopter... Read more

Obituary – STARS founder John Panton

Obituary – STARS founder John Panton

8-May-2013Source: STARS

He was an engaging storyteller, a master at delivering puns and always good for a funny joke or two. John Panton’s dedication, devotion and admiration for STARS, however, were no laughing matter. “Without John’s support, and that of others from the Lions Club and community, STARS wouldn’t be here,” said Dr. Greg Powell, STARS founder.... Read more

Twirly Birds Mourn the Passing of Mr. Osvil “Ozzie” York

Twirly Birds Mourn the Passing of Mr. Osvil “Ozzie” York

3-Apr-2013Source: Twirly Birds

Twirly Birds announces the passing of longtime member, Mr. Osvil “Ozzie” York on 25 MAR 2013 in Tulsa, Oklahoma following a brief illness.  Mr. York was 92 years old and had recently driven from his home in Oklahoma to attend the annual meeting of the Twirly Birds held during the HAI Heli-Expo in Las Vegas,... Read more

AHS Mourns the Passing of Bob McDaniel

AHS Mourns the Passing of Bob McDaniel

7-Mar-2013Source: AHS

Col. Robert Lee McDaniel, 88, a retired officer of the U.S. Army, veteran of WWII, Korea, and Vietnam, and pioneer in the growth of modern Army aviation, passed away February 9th Alexandria, VA. Bob McDaniel (or “Mac” as he was often known) was born on July 13, 1924 as an Army brat at Fort Bliss,... Read more

John D Silva – TV helicopter pioneer – dies at 92

John D Silva – TV helicopter pioneer – dies at 92

10-Dec-2012Source: LA Times

John D. Silva was the chief engineer for KTLA-TV in 1958 when he outfitted a helicopter with a TV camera and changed television news coverage forever. (see full story)... Read more

FlightSafety founder passes away peacefully aged 95

FlightSafety founder passes away peacefully aged 95

20-Oct-2012Source: FlightSafety International

LA GUARDIA AIRPORT, New York (October 19, 2012) – A.L. Ueltschi, founder of FlightSafety International, passed away peacefully at his home in Vero Beach, Florida last evening. He was 95. A message from Bruce Whitman, CEO: All of us with FlightSafety are deeply saddened by Al’s passing and have expressed our deepest sympathy and condolences... Read more

Howard ‘Pat’ Curtiss Jr., master of helicopter aerodynamics, dies

Howard ‘Pat’ Curtiss Jr., master of helicopter aerodynamics, dies

30-Sep-2012Source: Princeton University

Howard “Pat” Curtiss Jr., an authority on the aerodynamics of helicopters who helped design generations of vertical-takeoff aircraft for many companies, died Sept. 20 at the University Medical Center of Princeton at Plainsboro. He was 82 and the cause was bladder cancer. Curtiss, a professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering at Princeton University for 33 years, earned... Read more

AHS mourns the passing of Charlie Crawford

AHS mourns the passing of Charlie Crawford

13-Sep-2012Source: AHS

Charles C. Crawford, Jr. passed away on August 14, 2012. He was 81. Crawford graduated in 1954 from the Georgia Institute of Technology. He worked from 1955 to 1962 for the U.S. Air Force Flight Test Center (AFFTC) at Edwards AFB, CA as a flight test engineer. He became the chief of the rotary wing engineering branch in... Read more

Obituary – Industry Pioneer and Former HAI Director Phil Landi

Obituary – Industry Pioneer and Former HAI Director Phil Landi

8-May-2012Source: HAI

Philip J. Landi, 89, a helicopter industry pioneer, former HAI Director, and former Manager of Heliports and Helicopter Operations for the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, passed away on Saturday, May 5, 2012. Landi flew into the Guinness Book of World Records in September 1976 when he made the first helicopter landing... Read more

Obituary – Past HAI Safety Committee Chairman Bruce L Gillaspie

Obituary – Past HAI Safety Committee Chairman Bruce L Gillaspie

25-Apr-2012Source: HAI

HAI is saddened at the passing of long-serving member of the HAI Safety Committee, Bruce L. Gillaspie, Sr., who died January 21, 2012 in Lafayette, La. He was 68. Born in Battle Creek, Mich., Gillaspie served in Vietnam as a U. S. Marine Corps helicopter pilot before flying oil and gas operations for PHI, Inc.... Read more

Past HAI Chairman Thomas H. Marlow dies

Past HAI Chairman Thomas H. Marlow dies

7-Mar-2012Source: HAI

HAI has learned that Tom Marlow, who served as Chairman of the HAI Board of Directors in 1996, passed away just prior to HELI-EXPO 2012. His wife, Deanne, shared the news with HAI President Matt Zuccaro. “This is indeed sad news and a loss to our industry. It was my good fortune to have served with... Read more

Obituary – Charles “Chuck” Perriguey Jr.

Obituary – Charles “Chuck” Perriguey Jr.

21-Dec-2011Source: HAI

Charles D. “Chuck” Perriguey Jr. died July 16, 2011 at Cottage Hospital in Santa Barbara, Calif. at the age of 66. Chuck was born in Glendale, Calif. on Feb. 15, 1945. He attended the San Gabriel High School and East L.A. College before enlisting in the U.S. Marine Corps in 1965. Chuck was selected for... Read more

LAFD Chief Pilot dies at 54

LAFD Chief Pilot dies at 54

10-Nov-2011Source: Los Angeles Fire Dept

Glenn Victor Smith was only 54 years old when he lost his courageous battle with cancer. He will be remembered first and foremost for being a loving husband, father, brother, and grandfather to his family. To everyone else that was fortunate enough to have known Glenn personally or worked around him, he was many things.... Read more

Pioneer of STARS air ambulance dies in road accident

Pioneer of STARS air ambulance dies in road accident

4-Jul-2011Source: Calgary Sun

Calgary’s emergency services community is in mourning after a trail-blazing paramedic Eric Arnestad who helped lift STARS off the ground was killed in a Montana motorcycle crash.  (Full story)... Read more

In Memoriam:  Edwin T. Mahood, 1923-2011

In Memoriam: Edwin T. Mahood, 1923-2011

13-May-2011Source: HeliValue$, Inc

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.... Read more

Lorne Crawford, member of the Ornge board of Directors, passes away

Lorne Crawford, member of the Ornge board of Directors, passes away

21-Mar-2011Source: Ornge

On behalf of the Ornge Board of Directors, it is with extreme sadness that we announce the passing of one of our own, Mr. Lorne Crawford. Mr. Crawford was a tireless supporter and champion of access to healthcare, especially for people living in Northwestern Ontario. “We at Ornge are deeply saddened to learn of the... Read more

Eurocopter pays tribute to test pilot Jean Boulet, who has passed away aged 90

Eurocopter pays tribute to test pilot Jean Boulet, who has passed away aged 90

17-Feb-2011Source: Eurocopter

Eurocopter pays its respects to its long-time test pilot Jean Boulet. His legendary piloting skills and passion for flying established the Group’s place in the history of rotorcraft. First hired in 1947 by the SNCASE, which would later become Sud Aviation and then the Helicopter division of the Aerospatiale Group, Jean Boulet was one of... Read more

Indusry pioneer Charles H Kaman dies at 91

Indusry pioneer Charles H Kaman dies at 91

1-Feb-2011Source: Kaman

Kaman Corporation (NASDAQ-GS:KAMN) released the following statement today from Neal J. Keating, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer. “It is with great sadness that we announce today the passing of our founder and Chairman Emeritus, Charles H. Kaman. Mr. Kaman passed away peacefully this morning. “Charlie Kaman, as he was affectionately known by so many, was... Read more

Obituary – Al Broussard

Obituary – Al Broussard

29-Jul-2010Source: PHPA

FLYING HIGHER – AL BROUSSARD, PHPA MEMBER, AND BELL 47 PILOT EXTRA ORDINAIRE On Saturday, July 25, 2010, the PHPA lost a long time, true and valued member, Al Broussard from Granada Hills, CA. in a helicopter accident in Minnesota.  Al got his wings in 1966 and has been flying and fixing aircraft ever since. ... Read more

US Army’s first black helicopter pilot dies at 85

US Army’s first black helicopter pilot dies at 85

21-Jun-2010Source: Q13Fox

The Tuskegee Airmen Association said Thursday that Holloman died Friday 11th in Renton after suffering a heart attack. He was a St. Louis native who lived in Washington state.... Read more

Obituary: Thomas Salat

Obituary: Thomas Salat

21-Jun-2010Source: HAI

Salat was instrumental in carving out airspace in the heavily congested New York IFR system, so much so that he had an intersection named after him.... Read more

Obituary: Wes Lematta, Columbia Helicopters

Obituary: Wes Lematta, Columbia Helicopters

31-Jan-2010

“no ordinary guy, the second of four sons born to Ed and Hilda Lematta, offspring of Finnish immigrants who had fled North Dakota in 1934 for a fresh start in Brush Prairie”... Read more

Obituary: Glenn Wesley “Wes” Lematta 1926-2009

Obituary: Glenn Wesley “Wes” Lematta 1926-2009

29-Dec-2009Source: Rotornews

HAI is deeply saddened at the passing of Columbia Helicopters’ Founder and Chairman of the Board, Glenn Wesley “Wes” Lematta. With over 50 years in the helicopter business, Lematta’s accomplishments and contributions to industry were nothing short of amazing.... Read more

Barbara Robinson died after 12 years of illness

Barbara Robinson died after 12 years of illness

2-Sep-2009Source: Avionews

Barbara K. Robinson, ex-wife of the founder of Robinson Helicopters, died at 53 after 12 years of fight against cancer. In 2005 she had founded the “Robinson breast cancer research fund”, initially financed with US$3 million... Read more

George W Putman, Army Aviation Hall of Fame Member, dies

George W Putman, Army Aviation Hall of Fame Member, dies

27-Aug-2009Source: Washington Post

He later served a tour in Korea and did three tours in Vietnam, the final one as commander of the 1st Air Cavalry Division during the Tet Offensive in 1968.  In his career, he also oversaw the Army aviation school in Fort Rucker, Ala., and helped develop plans for using helicopters to go behind enemy... Read more

HAI Remembers Richard John Adams

HAI Remembers Richard John Adams

20-May-2009Source: RotorNews

... Read more

Obituary: Alan Bristow 1923-2009

Obituary: Alan Bristow 1923-2009

30-Apr-2009Source: Telegraph

... Read more

ShowCopters pioneer Jim Cheatham dies

ShowCopters pioneer Jim Cheatham dies

14-Mar-2009Source: The Californian

... Read more

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