HAI at Work Archives - Helicopter Association International

HAI Member Spotlight: Digital AirWare, North Carolina, USA

Jen Boyer — Tue, 13 Jul 2021 10:00:04 +0000

A look at an HAI member up close and personal. Digital AirWare of Charlotte, North Carolina, began in 2007 because of one man’s ingenuity. While working as an A&P and inspection-authorized aviation mechanic, US Marine veteran Joaquin Demoreta-Braza developed an extensive Excel spreadsheet to better track his customers’ maintenance requirements. After studying his friend’s program, Brad Goodman suggested they replace the spreadsheet with a Web-based program they would build themselves. Later, in 2011, Michael Demoreta-Braza joined the team to develop the operations side of the business and Digital AirWare took off, acquiring its first law enforcement agency customer, the San Antonio Police Department, not long afterward. The company has since grown to become a premier Web-based aviation management system for multiple operators, including many in the airborne law enforcement community. Airworthiness and Operational Status at a Glance Using a highly visually based system, Digital AirWare literally gives users a clear picture of the status of the aircraft, equipment, pilot, training, and safety status at a glance. For aircraft, each customer’s dashboard includes an image and tail number of each aircraft, next to a traffic signal icon that indicates green for airworthy, yellow for upcoming items needing attention soon, or red (more…)

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HAI offices closed July 5 in observance of Independence Day

Rotor Media — Fri, 02 Jul 2021 15:17:23 +0000

HAI’s offices will be closed Monday, Jul. 5, 2021, in observance of Independence Day, a federal holiday in the United States. ROTOR Daily will not be published that day but will resume publication Tuesday, Jul. 6, 2021. The post HAI offices closed July 5 in observance of Independence Day appeared first on ROTOR Media. (more…)

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HAI Advocating for You

ROTOR Staff — Fri, 02 Jul 2021 13:36:30 +0000

HAI Presents on Dangers of 5G Interference at FAA Industry Day HAI participated in the FAA’s 5G Radar Altimeter Industry Stakeholder Forum on Thursday, Jul. 1. HAI and other aviation industry stakeholders at the forum officially presented to the FAA, FCC, Department of Defense, and Department of Transportation to convey the importance of preserving the integrity of radar altimeters in aircraft. Helicopter operations are conducted at low altitudes, in congested urban environments, over mountainous terrain, and in adverse weather conditions. Operators rely on accurate and reliable radar altimeter data for air ambulance, firefighting, heavy lift, search and rescue, and countless other missions. Loss or erroneous radar altimeter data, whether detected or undetected, compromises the safety of the aircraft and puts flight crews at risk. HAI is grateful for the opportunity to educate key industry stakeholders on the severity of this issue. Members can view a copy of the presentation here. HAI Government Affairs is co-chairing an industry coalition working group on radar altimeter interference. HAI will continue to pursue spectrum solutions that will protect the vertical lift industry. HAI Speaks at Press Conference Introducing RETAIN Act Last week, HAI President and CEO Jim Viola, HAI Chair Stacy Sheard, and members (more…)

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HAI Board of Directors names Daniels as special advisor for UAS

Rotor Media — Fri, 02 Jul 2021 13:30:35 +0000

The Helicopter Association International (HAI) Board of Directors is pleased to announce the appointment of Jonathan Daniels as their special advisor for uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS). His one-year term began on Jul. 1, 2021. He replaces Dr. Scott Burgess of Embry-Riddle University. Daniels is the CEO of Praxis Aerospace Concepts International (PACI), a service-disabled veteran-owned small business (SDVOSB) headquartered in southern Nevada. PACI provides practical solutions for multi-modal (ground-air-sea-industrial) response robot systems and infrastructure. He has served as an active participant on HAI’s UAS Working Group since 2019. Jonathan Daniels, Special Advisor for UAS to HAI’s Board of Directors. “We look forward to having Jonathan join the Board as special advisor for UAS,” says Jim Viola, president and CEO of HAI. “He brings significant regulatory experience to the position, along with knowledge of airworthiness, standardizations, and infrastructure. Daniels is a cleared advisor for the 2018-2022 Industry Trade Advisory Committee on Aerospace Equipment (ITAC 1) under the US Department of Commerce (DOC) and Office of the Trade Representative (OTR). He is the only FAA-designated airworthiness representative (DAR-F) for UAS in Nevada, serving Function Codes for UAS and OPAs with a GTOW of 12,500 lbs. and below. Additionally, Daniels is a member-at-large (more…)

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HAI members select new Board members

Rotor Media — Thu, 01 Jul 2021 15:28:24 +0000

Helicopter Association International (HAI) is pleased to announce that the organization’s recently-elected board members started their three-year term of office on Jul. 1, 2021. HAI also bids farewell to the two board members they are replacing. Elected this year were Brian Jorgenson of Timberline Helicopters Inc., Sandpoint, Idaho; and Rick Kenin of Boston MedFlight, Bedford, Massachusetts. This will be the first time serving on the HAI Board for both individuals, and both were elected to fill commercial operator vacancies. Board members are elected by HAI membership representatives from the association’s member helicopter operating companies. HAI also announced Monday the lineup of officers for the term Jul. 1, 2021, to Jun. 30, 2022: Incoming Chair Randy Rowles, of Helicopter Institute Inc., Fort Worth, Texas; Vice-Chair Jeffery Smith, of R.O.P. Aviation, Teterboro, New Jersey; Treasurer Jack Matiasevich, Southern California Edison, Chino, California; and Assistant Treasurer B. Adam Hammond, Tennessee Valley Authority, Knoxville, Tennessee. “We’re grateful to add two individuals to our Board with such a broad range of experience,” says Stacy Sheard, current Board chair. “Their expertise will make the Board even stronger and more versatile than it is today.” Leaving the Board this year are Douglas Barclay, Kachina Aviation, Nampa, Idaho, (more…)

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HAI joins 83 other groups in support of RETAIN GPS & SatCom Act

Rotor Media — Tue, 22 Jun 2021 21:05:28 +0000

HAI joined 83 other companies and organizations to strongly endorse the Recognizing and Ensuring Taxpayer Access to Infrastructure Necessary for GPS and Satellite Communications Act or the “RETAIN GPS and Satellite Communications Act” introduced in the U.S. Senate Tuesday.
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HAI Applauds Introduction of RETAIN Act in U.S. Senate

Rotor Media — Tue, 22 Jun 2021 20:58:52 +0000

HAI applauds Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.) for introducing the Recognizing and Ensuring Taxpayer Access to Infrastructure Necessary for GPS and Satellite Communications Act of 2021 (RETAIN Act).
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HAI Advocating for You

Rotor Media — Fri, 18 Jun 2021 13:06:09 +0000

Massachusetts Members – Take Action to Oppose $1,000 Landing Fee Bill! HAI members in Massachusetts have been notified of a bill that would have devastating effects on aviation in the state. As you may have read in HAI’s government affairs updates, the Massachusetts state legislature is considering a bill that would impose a $1,000 landing fee on virtually all general aviation operations. On Jun. 24, the Joint Committee on Transportation is holding a hearing on the bill. If you live in the Commonwealth, it is important for the Committee and your elected officials to know your position on this legislation. HAI has drafted a sample template letter for you to submit to the Committee. If you are an HAI member or a friend of the industry located in Massachusetts, please click this link to go to HAI’s grassroots advocacy page, where you can easily send the Committee an email with your position. PSP Funding Summary The HAI Government Affairs team is pleased to share that as of Jun. 15, HAI has helped members receive over $394 million in Payroll Support Program (PSP) award funding. Most of the money allocated to the PSP has been distributed to applicants. If your business (more…)

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HAI Advocating for You

Cade Clark — Fri, 04 Jun 2021 13:19:28 +0000

Image above: iStock/andresr HAI’s Government Affairs team has been busy working to advance transportation, jobs, and more this past week. HAI Sends Letter Supporting the Promoting Service in Transportation Act HAI sent an industry coalition letter Jun. 3 to Chairman Peter DeFazio (D-Ore.-04) and Ranking Member Sam Graves (R-Mo.-06) of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and Chairwoman Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) and Ranking Member Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. The letter voices support for the Promoting Service in Transportation Act, which promotes career opportunities in the transportation sector and advocates for more diversity in the industry through workforce outreach programs. The legislation aims to help build a more dynamic transportation workforce that will serve future industry needs. The introduction of advanced air mobility (AAM) technology is expected to transform the vertical flight sector, and this transformation will require a well-rounded, highly equipped workforce to advance industry initiatives successfully. HAI commends the efforts of this legislation, which will help the vertical lift industry meet the needs of tomorrow. DOT Hosts Webinar on Aviation Manufacturing Jobs Protection (AMJP) Program The Department of Transportation (DOT) hosted an introductory webinar on the Aviation Manufacturing Jobs Protection (more…)

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Drones: Why and how they should join your aircraft fleet

Jen Boyer — Tue, 01 Jun 2021 10:00:20 +0000

Image above: iStock/acavalli HAI@Work webinar explores the benefits of adding UAS to your operation. For years, they waited in the wings as their potential was tested, but today, there’s no doubt about it: drones are here and they’re providing the services our customers need. Helicopter operators who’ve incorporated drones into their businesses are reaping the benefits through expanded services, while those who haven’t could very well experience a loss of business down the road. During the HAI@Work webinar on May 27, a group of unmanned aircraft system (UAS) experts and helicopter operators who’ve incorporated drones into their businesses came together to share the hows and whys of embracing drones, the pitfalls to avoid, and the potential for helicopter operators to lead the way in their use. The panelists were: Scott Burgess, professor, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, and chair of HAI’s UAS Working Group Mark Colborn, retired reserve officer, Dallas Police Department Jonathan Daniels, CEO, Praxis Aerospace Concepts International Mark Gibson, president and CEO, Timberland Helicopters Tombo Jones, director, Virginia Tech’s Mid-Atlantic Aviation Partnership, an FAA-designated UAS test site Nate Robie, manager of unmanned aircraft systems, Dominion Energy. “The proliferation of drones into the aviation industry has really been on the uptick (more…)

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