VAI on Monday presented a new Salute to Excellence award—the Harold Summers Legacy Award—to Zhilin Summers in honor of the legacy of her late husband. Harold “Hal” Summers worked with Petroleum Helicopters Inc. (PHI) for four decades before he took on the role of director of maintenance at HAI in 2004.
At the association, he was involved in numerous working groups. Summers was also active in industry working groups, as well as national and international regulatory committees, working until he passed away in October 2021 at age 83.
A decade before his passing, Summers was recognized with the FAA Charles Taylor Master Mechanic Award in honor of his 50 years of work in aircraft maintenance.
“In recognition of her unwavering support for her late husband, the inaugural award recipient of the Harold Summers Legacy Award is Zhilin Summers,” said VAI president and CEO James Viola. “This new award recognizes Harold’s passion for the industry, particularly his enduring efforts to make every part of our industry better.”
Viola added, “Throughout his career, subordinates, peers, and leaders all recognized Harold’s ‘by-the-book’ work ethic. Except when he would disagree with ‘the book.’ Then he was by the book in his efforts to change ‘the book.’ Because of his passion for our industry and his willingness to share his knowledge, our industry is indeed better as the result of his efforts.”