FROM THE BOARD By Randy Rowles HAI’s International Leaders
The best way to support the global VTOL community: join HAI and get involved.
F
An FAA pilot examiner for all helicopter certificates and ratings, Randy Rowles holds an FAA ATP and Gold Seal Flight Instructor Certificate and in 2013 received HAI’s Flight Instructor of the Year Award. Chairman of the HAI
Board of Directors for 2021–22, Randy operates the Helicopter Institute, a Texas flight school.
OR MANY YEARS, HELICOPTER ASSOCIATION INTERNATIONAL (HAI) has been seen as a membership organization that concentrates mostly on the US helicopter market. But that is changing.
Part of the credit for this change must go to its leadership. Jan Becker, CEO of Becker Helicopters Pilot Academy in Queensland, Australia, and the 2019–20 chair of the HAI Board of Directors, was the source of many positive changes within HAI. A strong, visionary leader, Jan was passionate about strengthening HAI’s international reach, and she educated her colleagues about the importance of acknowledging national and regional differences on matters as simple as meeting times, cultural norms, and terminology. When Jim Viola became president and CEO of HAI in January 2020, strengthening the “I” in
HAI was one of his top priorities. Under his direction, HAI has deepened its relationships with national and regional helicopter associations around the world through its International Partnership Program. In their regular meetings, the partners share information on topics such as COVID-19 safety protocols and aerial firefighting best practices. Building connections such as these enhances safety and efficiencies for operations around the world. Jim is also passionate about improving global safety, and so HAI is a member of the Vertical
Aviation Safety Team, a worldwide initiative to enhance operational flight safety in all sectors of rotorcraft aviation. The causal factors for accidents do not change based on your location, so working together to improve global safety makes sense. In addition, we should remember that any accident, anywhere in the world, could affect how your future customers perceive the risk involved in vertical aviation. On Nov. 16, 2021, HAI took another step toward embracing a more active global role, as it announced a formal partnership with the European Helicopter Association. While the two associations have collaborated before, the agreement provides a structured path for them to work together on initiatives and programs.
But incorporating an international outlook into HAI policies and programs isn’t just a task for the HAI leadership. We also need the assistance of our members. By providing your regional perspective, just as Jan did, you enable HAI to better understand the pain points and lessons learned of our diverse, global industry. The best way to provide that perspective is by taking an active role within our leadership structure and participating in HAI’s working groups. With HAI HELI-EXPO 2022 coming up in Dallas, this is a great time to get involved. All HAI
working groups will hold meetings in conjunction with our annual conference. Please review the schedule at
rotor.org/working-group for the working group that best suits your interests. All provide you with an opportunity to help lead change within the global vertical lift industry. As a pilot, flight trainer, and aviation executive, I have worked with pilots and operators around
the world. We share the same love for aviation that has blessed us with exciting, fulfilling careers. We also share the same challenges globally as we strive to maintain safe, compliant, successful vertical flight operations. This is precisely why HAI exists: to help our members meet those challenges.
6 ROTOR DECEMBER 2021
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
