Helicopter Association International (HAI) has named nine recipients for its 2016 Salute to Excellence Awards. To be presented during HAI’s Heli-Expo (February 29 to March 3) in Louisville, Ky., the awards honor individuals or organizations that “exemplify the best of the helicopter industry,” HAI said.
João Bosco Ferreira, who has trained more than 2,300 pilots and established the flight test department for Helibras, is the recipient of the W.A. (Dub) Blessing Award for Flight Instructor of the Year. The Rolls-Royce Excellence in Helicopter Maintenance Award will be presented to Troy Lewis, the area training manager for engine manufacturer Turbomeca USA. He has trained thousands of aviation maintenance technicians annually.
Pat Lawrence, who helped rebuild the Michigan State Police Aviation unit and currently is its commander, will receive the MD Helicopters Law Enforcement Award. The Airbus Helicopters Golden Hour Award will go to Eileen Frazer, the executive director of the Commission on Accreditation of Medical Transport Systems that is dedicated to improving medical transportation safety.
The Boston Area Helicopter IFR Infrastructure Team will receive the BLR Aerospace Safety Award for its role in developing instrument approaches to help air ambulance operators navigate through the complex environment of Downtown Boston. The Sikorsky Humanitarian Service Award will recognize the Italian Air Force, Navy and Coast Guard for what is believed to be the largest marine helicopter-rescue ever attempted after the ferry the Norman Atlantic caught fire.
Jason Laing, a New Zealand pilot who has been involved in Mt. Everest rescue missions in the aftermaths of a 2014 avalanche and the 2015 earthquake, will be honored with the Appareo Pilot of the Year Award. The Bell Helicopter Lifetime Achievement Award will go to Dana Kerrick, one of the foremost experts in rotor blade maintenance who retired as vice president of International Aviation Composites after a 56-year career in aviation. HAI also had named former AIN editor-in-chief R. Randall Padfield as the winner of the Lightspeed Aviation Excellence in Communications Award.