TOP: HAI/LAGNIAPPE STUDIO; BOTTOM: COURTESY STEVEN TRENK
working groups, and national and international regulatory committees and working groups, including several at the FAA. In 2011, he received the FAA’s Charles Taylor Master Mechanic Award, which recognizes 50 years of working in aircraft maintenance. In addition to his many achievements in the field of
aircraft maintenance, Hal established an engineering department for PHI with the objective of designing, certificating, and producing medical interiors for the operator’s then newly formed Emergency Medical Division. In the ensuing years, he was responsible for the design, certification, and fielding of more than 50 air ambulance interiors. Born in Newport, Oregon, in 1938, Hal and his family
moved to Brewster, Washington, in 1939 and then to Cuba in 1949, when Hal’s father, Laurance, a minister, was asked by his ministry to relocate to the Caribbean country. The family returned to the United States in 1953.
In addition to his wife, Hal is survived by four children and a brother.
Hal was awarded the FAA’s Charles Taylor Master Mechanic Award in 2011 in honor of his more than 50 years of service in aviation maintenance. He is pictured here with his wife, Zhilin, receiving the award.
Alvin S. Trenk Entrepreneur formed several aviation businesses over a 50-year career.
A
LVIN S. TRENK, AVIATION ENTREPRENEUR and philanthropist, died Sep. 26, 2021. He was 92.
After earning pilot licenses for both helicopters and
fixed-wing aircraft, Al in 1980 started Air Pegasus, a corporate helicopter and sightseeing venture based at the West 30th Street Heliport (KJRA) in Manhattan, New York. For a time, he also operated the Downtown Manhattan Heliport (KJRB) near Wall Street. In addition, Al cofounded Sightseeing Tours of America, Liberty Helicopters, and Saker Aviation Services, which operates a chain of US-based FBOs. Al was instrumental in introducing Agusta helicopters to the United States, and he helped pioneer aviation tourism in Las Vegas with helicopter trips over the Grand Canyon. Born in Newark, New Jersey, in 1929, Al served in the
US Air Force during the Korean War. Afterward, he went on to operate a variety of businesses that included an insurance company, a West Virginia racehorse track, and a chain of outpatient dialysis clinics. Al is survived by his partner, Ethel Gittlin, and three
Al and his grandson— and protégé—Adam Trenk. Adam is one of three grandchildren who survive Al.
DECEMBER 2021 ROTOR 69
children, three grandchildren, and four great- grandchildren.
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76
