Have you soloed in a helicopter at least twenty years ago? If so, you should consider joining the Twirly Birds at their upcoming annual meeting in Orlando, Florida. Held in conjunction again this year with HAI at HELI-EXPO 2011, the meeting will take place at the HAI host hotel, Rosen Center Hotel, Signature Room 1 meeting room on 6 MAR 2011 at 5:00 p.m. Steve Sullivan, Twirly Birds president, will conduct the meeting that will include two presentations of the prestigious Les Morris award as well as an announcement of a new membership category for the group. An evening of aviation fellowship and the common bond of helicopters and vertical flight is planned for the membership.

Membership chairman and Twirly Birds vice president, Jim Kettles commented, “Twirly Birds has a rich history that traces its roots to the early pioneers of helicopters and we invite anyone that meets our humble qualifications to join us at our annual meeting. Our intent as always is to see old friends and to meet new ones that share a common link to helicopters whether it is civil or military, professional or recreational.”

Twirly Birds was founded over sixty years ago when a small group of pilots met to share stories and the common experiences of flying helicopters during these early years of vertical flight. Some notable past members of Twirly Birds include Charles Lindbergh, Igor Sikorsky, Stanley Hiller, Alan Bristow and Wes Lematta, to name a few. The intent was then and now, to share the common bond of vertical flight. The group has no political or commercial interest and is by design, a social group comprised of individuals. Membership dues are very modest and the group publishes a newsletter several times a year to keep the membership updated. Catch up with old friends and make new ones by joining Twirly Birds!

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.