6-Dec-2023Source: HAI
In testimony before Congress, two members of Helicopter Association International (HAI) urged lawmakers to encourage the National Park Service (NPS) and the FAA to reevaluate rules that limit or eliminate air tours over US national parks. “The rushed and misguided process limits and, in some cases, eliminates tours of our national parks by air without... Read more
30-Jun-2022Source: HAI
Working with US Congressman Don Beyer (D-Va.), the Eastern Region Helicopter Council (ERHC) and Helicopter Association International (HAI) debuted a new helicopter noise initiative for the Washington, D.C., metro area last Friday. The two trade groups established a helicopter noise complaint system for individuals in and around the region to share their concerns. The... Read more
10-Nov-2021Source: HAI
As the US Congress prepares to finalize its funding allocations for fiscal year 2022, six aviation associations, including Helicopter Association International (HAI), came together yesterday to write the leaders of the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Subcommittees of the House and Senate Appropriations Committees to increase funding for the Alternative Fuels for... Read more
9-Nov-2021Source: Congressman Brown
Congressman Anthony G. Brown (MD-04) and Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01) introduced legislation to require flight data and cockpit voice recorders in most helicopters, also known as “black boxes.” Currently, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requires large commercial planes and some private aircraft to have such recorders. Loopholes in regulations allow some helicopters to operate without... Read more
24-Jan-2019Source: Neguse House
This week, Congressman Joe Neguse (CO-02), alongside Rep. Ed Perlmutter (CO-07) introduced the Safe Helicopters Now Act, legislation to provide helicopter manufacturers with a tax credit for retrofitting existing emergency helicopters with safer fuel systems. “Emergency helicopters and the people who pilot them are on the front lines of some of the toughest times for... Read more
23-Mar-2016Source: Charles Boustany
Congressman Charles W. Boustany, Jr., MD, (R-Lafayette) sent a letter with his colleagues calling for an official U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) investigation into illegal practices by the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) in the Gulf of Mexico. BSEE has historically entered into contract agreements with helicopter service providers to obtain helicopter fuel... Read more
16-Feb-2014Source: Adam Schiff
Almost six months after Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Burbank) and other Los Angeles area lawmakers, including Senators Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) and Barbara Boxer (D-CA), sent a letter asking for a timeline to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)’s Los Angeles Helicopter Noise Initiative, the agency finally responded to the Los Angeles lawmakers (letter can be found here). This comes on... Read more
7-Nov-2013Source: Congressman Joe Courtney
Connecticut’s delegation to the U.S. House of Representatives today advocated for Sikorsky’s world-class helicopters in a letter to the Norwegian Ambassador. Sikorsky was recently removed from the competitive bidding process on a contract by the Norwegian government, but Norway has had a change in government since that initial decision was made. “We find the decision... Read more
16-Sep-2013Source: HeliHub.com
Unions in France are in consultation with Eurocopter regarding the proposed transfer of production of fifty AS350 helicopters from France to Mississippi. Also included is the production of parts for a further ten airframes. HeliHub.com understands that this move is a result of US military budget cuts which are expected to halt the American Eurocopter... Read more
5-Aug-2013Source: Eleanor Holmes Norton
Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) will offer an amendment to the fiscal year 2014 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations bill, which is on the House floor now, that would prevent the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) from enforcing its rule that prohibits commercial and most other helicopter operations in the District of... Read more
1-Aug-2013Source: Larry Klayman, Attourney
Last week, U.S. Representative for Utah’s 3rd congressional district and chairman of the House Oversight and Government Reform subcommittee on National Security, Jason Chaffetz, confirmed he will “dive into” the shoot-down of Extortion 17, a helicopter shot down by the Taliban killing 30 American special operators in Afghanistan on August 6, 2011. The victims’ families met with... Read more
10-Jun-2013Source: American Eurocopter
U.S. Representatives Joe Barton and Marc Veasey joined leaders of American Eurocopter, EADS North America and Turbomeca at a rally Friday to call on Congress to restore funding for the Army’s UH-72A Lakota helicopter in the Fiscal Year 2014 budget. The rally took place at EADS North America’s American Eurocopter facility in Grand Prairie, Texas,... Read more
4-Jun-2013Source: American Eurocopter
America Eurocopter will hold a rally Friday at 10:30 a.m. as part of a campaign to urge Congress to restore Fiscal Year 2014 funding for the Army UH-72A Lakota helicopter. Area public officials as well as executives of American Eurocopter and EADS North America will speak at this approximately one-hour event. Lunch will be served... Read more
31-May-2013Source: American Eurocopter
Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant, U.S. Sen. Roger Wicker, U.S. Rep. Gregg Harper and U.S. Rep. Alan Nunnelee joined leaders of EADS North America and American Eurocopter at a rally Thursday to call on Congress to restore funding for the Army’s UH-72A Lakota helicopter in the Fiscal Year 2014 budget. The rally took place at EADS... Read more
26-Mar-2013Source: Congressman Ed Markey
With tens of thousands of domestic commercial drone licenses expected to be handed out in the coming years, Congressman Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), co-Chair of the Bi-Partisan Congressional Privacy Caucus, today introduced updated legislation to ensure standards for informing the public and establish safeguards to protect the privacy of individuals from expanded use of drones.... Read more
28-Feb-2013Source: HAI
HAI President Matt Zuccaro traveled to Capitol Hill earlier this week – before heading to Las Vegas for HELI-EXPO – to share the helicopter industry’s legislative priorities and concerns for the 113th Congress with the new House Transportation Leader, Chairman Frank LoBiondo (R-N.J.). U.S. House Aviation Subcommittee Chairman LoBiondo listened intently for over an hour... Read more
11-Oct-2012Source: Star-Telegram
Count Bell CEO sounds the alarm about the likely consequences if Congress doesn’t act by early January to block automatic spending cuts from taking place (see full story)... Read more
28-Jun-2012Source: AHSAFA
The American Helicopter Services and Aerial Firefighting Association (AHSAFA) congratulate Congress for its passage of legislation authorizing the US Forest Service (USFS) to make multi-year, operational funding available to private operators for fleet modernization of large air tankers engaged in wildland fire suppression. The Bill, S 3261, “Contract Awards For Large Air Tankers,†was signed... Read more
25-May-2012Source: HAI
Thirteen aviation trade associations representing all facets of the industry authored a letter to Senators Carl Levin (D-Mich.) and John McCain (R-Ariz.), urging them to support U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) efforts to “research, test, and deploy biofuels in the aviation sector.†“It is our collective belief that the ongoing efforts of the United States... Read more
11-May-2012Source: HAI
HAI Chairman of the Board Mark Gibson, in Washington, D.C., recently for a series of meetings with members of Congress on a variety of issues, made sure they understand the dangers of the so-called Alexander amendment. The measure, attached to the Senate version of the highway transportation bill, would give the National Park Service nearly... Read more
22-Mar-2010Source: HAI
HAI President Matt Zuccaro testified today, March 17, 2010, at a hearing held by the Subcommittee on Transportation and Infrastructure. The hearing examined the disparate safety statistics between FAA part 121 scheduled air carrier services and part 135 on-demand charter operations. A video of Mr. Zuccaro’s testimony and responses to Congressional inquiry can be viewed... Read more
22-Nov-2009Source: Dallas Morning News
Twenty-nine deaths in 2008 – compared with seven killed in 2007 – spurred calls for regulators to impose new rules for helicopter operators. But some feel that’s not been enough; Congress is now poised to pass a series of new rules governing the nation’s fleet of medical helicopters.... Read more
21-Sep-2009Source: HAI
HAI President Matt Zuccaro testified before the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure’s Aviation Subcommittee on Wednesday, September 16, concerning the Hudson River airspace, and management of uncontrolled airspace corridors.... Read more
17-Sep-2009Source: NTSB
NTSB Chairman Deborah A. P. Hersman testified on the status of the ongoing investigation into the mid-air collision over the Hudson River. The collision occurred on August 8 between a helicopter and an airplane. All 9 persons on board both aircraft were killed. Chairman Hersman provided an overview of the ongoing investigation based on facts... Read more
15-Sep-2009Source: HAI
HAI President Matthew Zuccaro will appear before the House Aviation Subcommittee in the U.S. House of Representatives on Wednesday, September 16 at 10:00 a.m. (Eastern Standard Time)... Read more
