Next HAI HELI-EXPO to Be Held in January 2020
Hold on … HAI HELI-EXPO 2020 is WHEN?
Attendees and exhibitors should start planning and budgeting for HAI HELI-EXPO 2020 in Anaheim now, because it’s already less than a year away. HAI HELI-EXPO 2020 will take place a few weeks earlier than normal, January 27–30, 2020, with the exhibit floor open January 28–30.
As you probably know, HAI rotates the location of the show, moving each year between large convention centers in a select group of cities. This gives industry operators and other companies the chance to participate in an Expo “in their own backyard” every few years. For 2020, it’s time to visit the West Coast of the United States.
HAI typically hosts its annual trade show in the southern tier of the United States, where the weather is more likely to cooperate for fly-ins and fly-outs. Surprisingly, Anaheim is the only convention center on the West Coast with the 1 million square feet of exhibit floor and meeting space required to put on HAI HELI-EXPO®, the world’s largest helicopter trade show and exposition.
Anaheim is historically one of the most popular destinations for HAI HELI-EXPO attendees. The combination of weather, world-class attractions, easy access, and unbeatable industry networking and education will make for a productive and memorable show.
So plan to come to HAI HELI-EXPO 2020 a bit earlier than usual. Start your year and decade strong in warm, sunny, fun Anaheim.
HAI, AMOA, and AMES to Hold Air Medical Safety Conference
HAI will partner with the Air Medical Operators Association (AMOA) and the Association for Air Medical Services (AAMS) to hold a Helicopter Air Medical Safety Conference in Arlington, Virginia, May 8–9, 2019.
The meeting will feature presentations for managers, operators, pilots, maintenance technicians, and industry leaders. Topics to be discussed will include legislative and regulatory issues, the integration of unmanned aircraft systems into the National Airspace System, accident reviews, and managing the high-risk environment of helicopter air ambulance (HAA) missions.
Interested members of the HAA community can find out more and register online at rotor.org/amsc.
2020 Brings Changes to HAI Annual Calendar
The scheduling of HAI HELI-EXPO 2020 for the end of January 2020 has had a ripple effect, changing some of the submission dates for HAI and HFI contests or events. Read on to learn the new timelines for the Salute to Excellence Awards, the ROTOR Photo Contest, and the HFI Scholarship Program.
Salute to Excellence Awards
Nominations open May 31, 2019 – August 30, 2019
rotor.org/salute
Nearly every person in this industry knows an individual or organization worthy of nomination in one of the nine categories of the HAI Salute to Excellence Awards. It is never too early to begin considering who you would like to nominate. Gathering the necessary material now will make it easier to prepare your nomination package. Visit rotor.org/salute to learn more.
ROTOR Photo Contest
Submissions open July 1, 2019 – November 1, 2019
contest.rotor.org
Have you taken some great photos of helicopters or drones you would like to share? Don’t miss your chance to have your work featured in ROTOR magazine and at HAI HELI-EXPO 2020 in Anaheim. Visit contest.rotor.org beginning July 1 to enter the contest, manage your submissions, and view submitted photos.
HFI Scholarship Program
Applications open August 1, 2019 – October 30, 2019
rotor.org/scholarships
Helicopter Foundation International (HFI) annually awards up to 22 scholarships for aspiring pilots, maintenance technicians, and safety professionals. In an industry experiencing a shortage of pilots and maintenance technicians, the HFI Scholarship Program is helping to welcome new faces. Visit rotor.org/scholarships to review application requirements.
HAI Hosts Second Meeting on Industry Safety
In 2018, several tragic helicopter crashes led HAI to form a Regulatory Safety Working Group to examine the applicability and appropriateness of existing regulations as they relate to certain helicopter mission profiles. Drawing its membership from helicopter operators, HAI staff members, and FAA representatives, this group held its second meeting at HAI headquarters in Alexandria, Virginia, at the end of January 2019.
In its second meeting, the group, which now includes representatives of the US Helicopter Safety Team, began to address the 16 specific issues identified during its initial meeting in June 2018. Attendees sought to distill and prioritize those issues, separating and elevating the regulatory and safety issues that would require FAA intervention.
“We formed the initial group, which includes working industry and other interested parties, to learn from the tragic results of recent helicopter accidents,” says HAI president and CEO Matt Zuccaro. “We strongly believe it is in the best interests of the industry and the general public to prevent similar accidents from occurring in the future.”
From the 16 issues identified during the first meeting, the working group identified six priority issues for further study. These include:
- Further defining FAR/AIM Parts 91, 135, and 119, including identifying equal levels of safety for similar operations, clarifying the term “commercial,” Part 119 exemptions, and implementing safety management systems
- Operating non-IFR-certificated aircraft in, or near, instrument meteorological conditions
- Removing unnecessary and burdensome personal protective equipment requirements
- Reviewing restraints for passengers and service animals, including the inadvertent release of seatbelts in doors-off operations, and restraint systems for lap children and comfort animals
- Examining CFR Part 136, Appendix A for possible redundancy to existing Part 136 requirements
- Determining equivalent levels of safety for drone operations.
Six smaller working groups were formed, with each focusing on one of the six priority issues. The groups will hold monthly teleconferences, eventually producing findings and recommendations that address their specific issue.
The larger working group will then meet to review and refine the conclusions. Ultimately, the Regulatory Safety Working Group will prepare and submit its report to the FAA for review and possible action.
“Based on the discussions around the table, it’s evident that the industry and the FAA believe the group can help to clarify and improve regulatory safety,” says Chris Martino, vice president of operations for HAI. “While only the FAA can change its regulations, its representatives have participated in both meetings in advisory capacities, and they appear as fully vested as the industry in addressing these issues.”
