Hundreds of attendees at EAA AirVenture, in Oshkosh Wis. visited the HAI HELI-CENTERâ„¢ on opening day AirVenture Monday. HAI President Matt Zuccaro welcomed the crowd and shared the vision for an expanded helicopter presence through the HELI-CENTERâ„¢ here at AirVenture as well as at other major shows in the U.S. and internationally. Along with more than 50 aviation press from around the world, HAI Members enjoyed the best seats in the house for the afternoon Airshow.

Zuccaro received a resounding and positive response as many HAI Members and media expressed their excitement to see the helicopter segment of the aviation industry coming forward to be recognized with increased prominence. One member summed it up best, “I’ve been coming to AirVenture for years and as a long-time helicopter pilot felt we were being ignored…thank you HAI for getting the word out!”

Want to be a helicopter pilot? More than 50 enthusiastic pilot wannabe’s participated in one of HAI’s sessions on July 25. Helicopter CFI Ryan McCartney from Hillsborough Aviation, Oregon explained to the audience the steps to getting a pilot license with a helicopter rating. McCartney was inundated with questions by many who wanted more information.

On the morning of July 26, in an interview with HAI, Aspen Avionics President & CEO John Uczekaj shared his vision for the helicopter sector. “Because of complex STCs, the process for certification is far more onerous than for fixed-wing. But Aspen is willing to pave the way and fight the battles to get the STCs. The initial focus is Part 27 aircraft, but will follow immediately with the Part 29 network,” Uczekaj said. “I’m very bullish on the helicopter market.” He sees an approximate three-month period for two or three more STCs and, like others in the industry, wants to see the process streamlined. Expect to see an expanded presence for Aspen Avionics at HELI-EXPO 2012 in Dallas, Texas. Uczekaj said, “HELI EXPO® is one of my favorite shows!”

Jim Church, past chairman of HAI, formally of UTC, and retired U.S. Navy captain and naval aviator, stopped by the HELI-CENTERâ„¢ June 26. Matt Zuccaro and Church shared stories from their helicopter flying days at Union Carbide and toured the HELI-CENTERâ„¢. Church said he was pleased to see such a prominent location and new presence for HAI and for helicopters at AirVenture.