Twirly Birds, an international helicopter organization founded in 1945, is holding its annual membership meeting later today at Heli-Expo 2019 in Atlanta. The event will take place in the Maple Room of the Omni Hotel Atlanta at CNN Center, starting at 5 p.m.
Its members are, of course, invited to the meeting, but also anyone who has "soloed a helicopter or vertical lift aircraft in sustained complete flight, including a takeoff and landing, at least 20 years ago," which is the only requirement for membership. Past members include Charles Lindbergh, Igor Sikorsky, Stanley Hiller, Alan Bristow, and Wes Lamatta. The organization was founded when a small group of pilots met to share stories and common flying experiences of flying helicopters during the early years of vertical flight.
A nonprofit organization, Twirly Birds has no political or commercial interest. By design, it is a social group comprised of individuals. Membership dues are modest and the group publishes a newsletter several times a year.