This year’s Heli-Expo marks the end of one era and the beginning of another as Matt Zuccaro, who had helmed the organization as president and CEO for the past 15 years, retired as announced before the show started. To succeed him, Helicopter Association International (HAI) selected James Viola, bringing on board a long-time government and military professional with deep aviation safety and helicopter experience.
He assumed his new role with HAI on January 16, and at an introductory press conference at the Anaheim Convention Center on Monday ahead of the show’s opening, he found himself thrust into the media spotlight as he addressed the tragic helicopter crash the day before which claimed the life of former NBA superstar Kobe Bryant, his daughter, and seven others, in nearby Calabasas.
“High-profile incidents and accidents certainly bring more visibility, and not in a positive way for the industry,” he told the audience, as he then touched on the safety classes and presentations being offered at the show. “But if there is any connection to what we are doing this week, it will show that this industry really goes out of its way to try to make sure that we provide the safest industry as possible on the helicopter side of the house.” He concluded his response stating, “It’s about zero fatal accidents, that’s the vision, the goal, because no loss of life is acceptable.”
Viola was chosen from a pool of approximately 50 qualified applicants from all around the world, according to HAI chair Capt. Jan Becker. “I think the thing that Jim brings to the table is just an industry passion,” Becker told AIN. “He has an ability to see both the operator and the membership sides, what do the people want on the ground, what do we need in the regulations and internationally, bringing the people together and saying we’re part of an international community, we share common problems, we share common goals but most of all we share a common passion, and I think that he will really mix things up a bit.”
Viola joined the organization after spending more than a decade with the FAA, most recently as director of the Office of General Aviation Safety Assurance. In that role, he oversaw 78 Flight Standards District Offices (FSDOs) and 2,500 employees across the U.S., responsible for the application of safety oversight activities involving the general aviation community.
A former U.S. Army special operations MH-6 and MH-47 helicopter pilot, Viola also gained experience managing large operations during his military service. His final assignment was division chief, Army Aviation for Current Operations, steering the aviation unit station, including the prioritization and optimization of 4,200 army aircraft, 100 manned units, and the combat rotation plan to Iraq and Afghanistan. “I really do love helicopters,” said Viola. ”I fly airplanes if I need to, but if I can, it’s always about the helicopter that can take off from someplace other than an airport and land somewhere other than an airport.”
The search process that led to Viola’s selection began last summer, when Zuccaro announced his plans to retire from the association he has led since November 2005. “We sought someone able to take up the challenge of leading HAI forward to meet the needs of a globally changing industry,” said Becker. “With Jim, we found that leader, as well as one who understands and supports HAI’s safety values.”
In his introductory remarks, Viola laid out a road map of goals for the association’s next five years, including expanding its international industry ties, embracing the growing eVTOL revolution, fighting for helicopter access, forging closer relationships with other general aviation organizations on industry-wide concerns, and better serving and expanding HAI’s membership.
“This is a great opportunity to come on board right before a major show where the whole purpose is to bring the industry together,” Viola told AIN on the eve of Heli-Expo. “I’m going to do my best to meet as many leaders of the industry while we’re here and then ask them what we can do as an association to help them.”
Viola has more than a decade of experience working with HAI, and was a driving force behind the creation of the U.S. Helicopter Safety team, serving as its initial government chair.
“I am grateful to the board of directors for selecting me to take up Matt’s role in promoting the international vertical-lift industry,” he said. “Matt’s unwavering advocacy for safe flight of all kinds made him a pleasure to work with while I was with the FAA. I look forward to continuing his legacy of HAI advocacy for safety.”
Zuccaro called Viola the ideal person to lead the association. “You’ve got a Chinook driver who understands the safety and regulatory issues facing our industry, as well as the capacity to effect change where and when it is needed. I am proud to leave this organization in Jim’s hands.”
An airline transport pilot with ratings for helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft, Viola has accumulated more than 6,000 flight hours, 1,100 of which with night-vision goggles. He holds three master’s degrees and is a member of the Army Aviation Association of America (Quad A), the Military Officers Association of America, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the American Legion, and the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association.