Send in your nominations by Saturday, Oct. 15, for this prestigious industry honor.

Do you know someone in the rotorcraft, drone, or advanced air mobility community who’s outstanding in their profession? If so, HAI is hoping you’ll tell us their story and nominate them for our annual Salute to Excellence Awards program!

We’ve extended the deadline for nominations to Saturday, Oct. 15, 2022. Award descriptions and criteria, as well as additional information about the awards process, are available at rotor.org/events/salute-to-excellence.

The Salute to Excellence Awards recognize superior achievement across the rotorcraft industry and are open to individuals, teams, and organizations that work with helicopters and remotely piloted aircraft systems (uncrewed aircraft systems, or drones). Anyone may submit a nomination, and anyone may be nominated. HAI membership isn’t required.

“Our selection committee looks for people whose passion and desire for excellence have made a difference for their colleagues, their community, or the industry,” says Dan Sweet, HAI’s director of public relations and communications and Salute to Excellence Awards program coordinator.

“Nearly every one of us knows a person who meets that qualification. Did they make others better through their guidance, instruction, or example? Did they perform a heroic act or produce exceptional work over the course of their career? Perhaps they conducted a courageous operation that made the news. Tell us about them, and we may be able to honor their contribution to the industry with a Salute to Excellence award.”

The 10 Salute to Excellence Award categories honor those pilots, maintenance technicians, operators, safety professionals, and others who have demonstrated a commitment to excellence that has enriched our industry.

The Golden Hour Award recognizes the efforts of an individual, group, or organization that, through a particular activity or contributions over time, has advanced the use of helicopters or uncrewed aircraft system (UAS) aircraft in the vital mission of air medical transport.

The Pilot of the Year Award recognizes an outstanding single feat performed by a helicopter or UAS aircraft pilot during the year or extraordinary professionalism over a period of time. Nominees must be active helicopter pilots.

The Lifetime Achievement Award salutes excellence in management and leadership. The award is granted to an individual for long and significant service to the international helicopter or UAS aircraft community. Nominees need not be licensed pilots.

The Safety Award acknowledges outstanding contributions in the promotion of safety and safety awareness throughout the international helicopter or UAS aircraft community.

The Communications Award is given to the individual or organization in aviation media achieving the most creative and distinct dissemination of information about the helicopter or UAS aircraft industry.

The Law Enforcement Award recognizes an individual or organization that has contributed to the promotion and advancement of helicopters or UAS aircraft in support of law enforcement activities. Nominees are not limited to pilots or law enforcement personnel.

The Maintenance Award recognizes an individual for long-standing excellence in helicopter or UAS aircraft maintenance, maintenance instruction or supervision, or a single significant contribution to helicopter maintenance. This award was previously known as the Excellence in Helicopter Maintenance Award.

The Humanitarian Service Award is presented to the person(s) who best demonstrate(s) the value of helicopters or UAS aircraft to the communities in which they operate by providing aid to those in need. The award may be for a particular mission or for outstanding service over a period of time.

The W.A. “Dub” Blessing Flight Instructor of the Year Award recognizes superlative contributions by a helicopter or UAS aircraft flight instructor in upholding high standards of professionalism.

The Matthew S. Zuccaro Land & LIVE Award recognizes superior decision-making, professionalism, and coordinated actions that significantly reduced the likelihood, severity, or consequences of a helicopter accident. At the sole discretion of the judges, this award may be presented to three recipients each year: one for pilots, one for flight crews, and one for maintenance personnel.

For a list of previous Salute to Excellence winners and to nominate an individual, group, or organization for a 2023 award, go to https://rotor.org/events/salute-to-excellence.