Why does HAI — an organization focused on rotary-wing aircraft — attend fixed-wing shows like the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association’s Aviation Summit, National Business Aviation Association’s annual convention, and Experimental Aircraft Association’s AirVenture? In large part because, on a multitude of issues, those associations, and the people who attend their shows, are helicopter operators’ natural allies. But also because of who attends.

HAI President Matt Zuccaro heads the team representing HAI at the AOPA Aviation Summit Oct. 11-13. While there, he had an opportunity to meet with U.S. Reps. Sam Graves (R-Mo.) and Jerry Costello (D-Ill.). Graves is the chairman of the House Small Business Committee, co-chair of the House General Aviation Caucus, and a member of the House aviation subcommittee. Costello, who will retire at the end of this term, is the highest-ranking member of the House aviation subcommittee, having served as both chair and ranking member. He has a long reputation of fairness and support for general aviation.

The meeting during the AOPA Summit gave Zuccaro the opportunity to discuss with two of the House of Representatives’ most powerful members, when it comes to aviation issues, items that are critical to the helicopter industry. It also gave him the chance to thank Graves and Costello for their continued interest in and support for the helicopter industry.