Untitled - HFI Historical Archive - Helicopter Association International

4 ROTOR
UP FRONT
Before gelling to the "theme" Oflhis issue of ROTOR ... the humanitarian role of the helicopter in Ihe
modern world ... 1 would like to louch upon another timely topic, ie., top leadership:
Jensen and Secretary Samuel K. Skinner.
Jensen and Administrator James B. Busey.
Secretary of Transportation Samuel K.
Skinner has established himself as a truly
outstanding individual. Clearly endowed with a
great mind, Secretary Skinner is a pilot. a leader,
and closely in touch with the real world. He
visited HAl's offices during the recent Board
meeting,* and impressed all of us with his
first-hand knowledge of aviation mailers.
Secretary Skinner has been awarded by HAl the
designation of "Honorary Helicopter Pilot".
More significantly. he is quite interested in
getting his add-on ticket as a real helicopter
pilot! We're very fortunate 10 have Mr. Skinner
as our Secretary of Transportation.
FAA Administrator James B. Busey IV,
selected for this position by Secretary Skinner,
confirmed by Congress and appointed by
President Bush, isanolherlop-notch individual.
(Allhough Busey is not yel rated in helicopters,
his son, James B. Busey V, is a civilian
helicopter night test engineer.) Adminslralor
Busey recently spent almost two hours with
HAl's Board··, where there was a very candid,
open e)(change of views. I am certain thai
Administrator Busey will be among the all-time
top administrators of the FAA.
Look at the piclure ... the President of the
United States. the Secretary of Transportation
and the FAA Administrator, all piiOlS! Do we
dare 10 hope thai, with Ihis line-up of winners
at the lOp, perhaps they can bring about a relUm
10 reality on the part of those few in the FAA
who are imposing unreasonable regulatory burdens on the civil aviation industry ... primarily
through draconian enforcement procedures? I would like 10 hear your views on [hat IOpic.
The civil helicopter industry was greatly saddened by the dC'llh Sept. 4 of RObe11 L. Suggs, Chainnan
of the Board of Petroleum Helicopters, Inc. *"'*
Now to the subject of helicopters as humanitarian servants of society. Every one of us in the
helicopter industry. whatever our role. should be most proud of the record which our remarkable
machine has made as a lifesaver! Please read the articles on the following pages which describe just
a few of the disasters in which the helicopter has been the hero ... and lei your chest expand with the
knowledge tl1U1 you, as a helicopter professional, are parI of that winning team. To quote the theme
from HAl's 1988 show. "HELICOPTERS. ABOVE ALL. SAVE LIVES !n
• See (mide 011 {Jage 6
•• Set' arficlt, oll/Joge 8
* •• Set' (lI"fic/e 011 /mge 39
?e::: .
Publisher
Fall 1989