“Salute Excellence”

Ho n o r a r y Li f e t i m e Me m b e r Aw a r d s
Individuals who have distinguished themselves to a significant degree through efforts directed toward the advancement
or improvement of the international helicopter community. Honorary members shall hold membership for life.
“Dub” Blessing
“Dub” Blessing has enjoyed an incredibly rich and
W. varied career, spanning more than
50 years, in which he has amassed in excess
of 19,000 flight hours – 14,000 of which as
a certified flight instructor.
Blessing began his career in 1953 as
a jet engine mechanic and crew chief
with the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve,
receiving an honorable discharge in 1962.
Joining the Texas National Guard in 1964,
he qualified as a helicopter mechanic,
before earning Army aviator “Wings of
Silver” and a Warrant Officer First Class
commission in 1965. In 1966 he joined
Southern Airways of Texas, a civilian
contractor of the U.S. Army Helicopter
Training Center, where he instructed the first Vietnamese
student pilots. In 1978 he became a flight instructor with
Jet Fleet Corporation, later becoming Helicopter Division
Manager. There he designed a training syllabus for Ross
Perot, Jr. In 1982 he was chosen to help plan and execute
the first round the world helicopter flight for Ross Perot,
Jr. After completing this record-breaking
event, he became H. Ross Perot’s personal
helicopter pilot. In 1985 he led pilots and
crew in the One Million Vertical Feet
Challenge for Multiple Sclerosis in the
Chugauch Wilderness area of Alaska. This
included setting up base camps at 3,000
and 6,000 Mean Sea Level on a remote
glacier.
Blessing has represented Bell
Helicopter-Textron, the Allison Division
of General Motors, Hughes Helicopters,
McDonnell-Douglas, and Schwitzer
Helicopters in industry matters relating
to flight training. He is currently Chief
Pilot Emeritus, Helicopter Division, Perot Group; and
Special Projects Coordinator, Hillwood Properties. In
1985 Blessing received the first HAI Outstanding Certified
Flight Instructor Award for high standards of excellence in
flight training.
Dennis Nichols
Dennis Nichols graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy
in 1961, receiving his diploma from President John
F. Kennedy. Flying A-4 Skyhawks from
carriers, he accumulated more than 500
landings on his first tour, and was the first
pilot to obtain 100 arrested landings.
In 1967 he left the Navy, becoming one
of the founders and President of ARNAV
Systems – designers and manufacturers
of area navigation equipment. He
promoted Loran Receivers to Gulf of
Mexico operators, and pioneered the use
of Terminal Control Area identification
technology. Nichols was the first
American President of the U.S. subsidiary
of Turbomeca, the French helicopter
engine manufacturer. He was responsible for many of their
major innovations and expansion within the United States,
including FAA certification of production.
Nichols twice served as engine representative to the
HAI Board, and President of Helicopter
Foundation International (HFI). He
established a blue ribbon panel of experts
to address noise issues, which resulted in
the development of an educational DVD
that is considered to be the best noise
abatement training aid available.
Nichols’ legacy is education; from
his financial support program enabling
Turbomeca employees to send their
children to college, to endorsing HFI’s
efforts to attract young people to the
helicopter industry by raising funds for
yearly aviation scholarships. Through his
church he also teaches English and leadership at Hebei
Normal University of Science and Technology in China.
Spring 2009
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