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Aviation History
1985
1985 - 0032.PDF
Perhaps a three-cornered arrangement would be the best way of really getting things going. In a way, the recent downturn in heli copter sales has given the industry time to collect its thoughts for the next big push forward. Massive military pro grammes now under the designer's pencil (JVX, LHX, PAH-2, etc) are bound to spill over into the civil arena in the next decade or so, and full advantage must be taken of existing ties and the development of new ones. The HAI Convention presents the best opportunity each year for manufacturers to talk to each other as well as to potential and existing cus tomers. Earlier this year sales of used helicop ters were beginning to show an upturn, and this has been taken as an indication that sales of new aircraft may go the same way. In 1983 US manufacturers delivered 415 civil helicopters, down from the 1980 peak of 1,366. Shipments value went down from $656 million in 1981 to $283 million in 1983. No one seems to be predicting a quick rise back to 1980 levels, but the past year or two are definitely regarded as the bottom of the slump. Helicopter sales are very closely tied to the fortunes of the oil exploration industry. The Hughes Tool Company produces data on the average number of US rigs running every year. In 1977 the figure was put at 500, and this climbed to nearly 700 in 1978. A fall to 600 in 1979 preceded a dramatic rise to 1,450 in 1982. This peak was short-lived, and by 1982 about 1,000 rigs were running and by 1983 the figure was 600 again. Shipments of civil helicopters naturally follow very closely. Oil company mergers have increased uncertainty about exploration plans and the cost of exploration is now so great that some companies are buying the already-discovered reserves of others. Mergers cost oil companies money which may otherwise have gone into exploration. • Convincing corporations that business helicopters are a good thing has been somewhat easier since the fall in interest rates, but could become increasingly difficult as the power in industry continues to slide into the hands of accountants. The value of a business air craft cannot be put down in figures on paper. Many opportunities are now presenting themselves to the manufacturers of civil helicopters. Operators are looking to the Far East, particularly for offshore work, and a tremendous market must exist for services between cities in Western Europe. Environmental resistance, the lack of heliports, and suspicions about the safety of rotary-wing aircraft are all prob lems that can be overcome by education. But it will be the education of people who are not aviation-minded and have no af finity for helicopters. The people that must be converted will not be in New Orleans this January. But the HAI con vention presents the best gathering place from which to start the hunt. Some 250 companies and 10,000 people visited the HAI Convention in Las Vegas last year. Similar numbers are expected in New Orleans. Schedule of events January 10-16 Helicopter Operators Management Course Sheraton New Orleans Hotel 8.00 a.m.-5.00 p.m. January 14-16 HAI Certified Flight Instructor Refresher Seminar New Orleans Hilton Hotel 8.00 a.m.-5.00 p.m. Safety Management Course New Orleans Hilton Hotel 8.30 a.m.-5.30 p.m. Wednesday, January 16 Annual Meeting Registration Convention Centre—Lobby 8.00 a.m.-5.00 p.m. 37th Annual General Membership Meeting New Orleans Hilton Hotel 5.30 p.m.-6.15 p.m. HAI Annual Membership Reception New Orleans Hilton Hotel 6.30 p.m.-8.00 p.m. Thursday, January 17 Annual Meeting Registration Convention Centre—Lobby 8.00 a.m.-5.00 p.m. Clinic A-l "The Helicopter Operator and the Media" Speaker: L. Kim Smith, Rotor and Wing International Magazine Convention Centre 9.00 a.m.-U.0O a.m. Opening Ceremonies Convention Centre Lobby 9.30 a.m.-10.00 a.m. Exhibits and Static Display Open Convention Centre 10.00 a.m.-5.00 p.m. Flight Line Demonstration Open Lakefront Airport 12.00 noon-5.00 p.m. Technical Workshop—Insurance "Premium Costs Can Be Reduced—If You Know How". Chairman: Robert G. Lawrence, Ocean Air Insurers Ltd Convention Centre 1.00 p.m.-2.15 p.m. Clinic A-2 (Repeated from the morning session) "The Helicopter Operator and the Media" Speaker: L. Kim Smith, Rotor and Wing International Magazine Convention Centre 1.30 p.m.-3.30 p.m. General Session "Helicopter Operations—Four Perspectives" Chairman David S. Lawrence, Silkorsky Aircraft Convention Centre 2.30 p.m.-4.30 p.m. "Helicopter Operations ... Vital and Versatile" Cash Bar Reception Convention Centre—Exhibit Hall 5.00 p.m.-6.00 p.m. Management Course Alumni Reception New Orleans Hilton Hotel 6.30 p.m.-8.00 p.m. Twirly Birds Reception New Orleans Hilton Hotel 6.30 p.m.-8.00 p.m. Friday, January 18 Annual Meeting Registration Convention Centre—Lobby ./ 8.00 a.m.-5.00 p.m. Clinic B-l "The Helicopter Operator and the Law" Speaker: Steffanie D. Parker, HAI General Counsel Convention Centre 9.00 a.m.-ll.OO a.m. Exhibits and Static Display Open Convention Centre 9.00 a.m.-5.00 p.m. Flight Line Demonstrations Open Lakefront Airport 9.00 a.m.-5.00 p.m. General Session "The Helicopter Operator is Safety Conscious" Chairman: Dr Walter B. Comeaux, Jr., Petroleum Helicopters, Inc. Convention Centre 10.30 a.m.-12.30 p.m. Technical Workshop—Engine "How to Reduce Operating Costs" Chairman: Hugh T. Goldie, Standard Aero Convention Centre 1 p.m.-2.15 p.m. Clinic B-2 (Repeated from the morning session) "The Helicopter Operator and the Law" Speaker: Steffanie D. parker, HAI General Counsel Convention Centre 1.30 p.m.-3.30 p.m. General Session "The Helicopter Operator—Today and Tomorrow" Chairman: Robert J. King, Hughes Helicopters Convention Centre 2.30 p.m.-4.30 p.m. Past Presidents Business Meeting (Past Presidents only) New Orleans Hilton Hotel—President's Suite 5.30 p.m.-6.30 p.m. Past Presidents Reception (By invitation only) New Orleans Hilton Hotel—President's Suite 6.30 p.m.-8.00 p.m. Whirly Girls 30th Anniversary Reception and 18th Annual Scholarship Dinner Monteleone Hotel 7.30 p.m.-11.00 p.m. Saturday, January 19 Annual Meeting Registration Convention Centre*—Lobby 8.00 a.m.-2.30 p.m. Clinic C-l "The Helicopter Operator and Financial Planning" Speaker: Representatives from Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner and Smith Convention Centre 9.00 a.m.-ll.OO a.m. Flight Line Demonstrations Open Lakefront Airport 9.00 a.m.-3.00 p.m. Rotorcraft Roundtable III Chairman: Charles W. Johnson ERA Helicopters Inc. Convention Centre 10.30 a.m.-12.30 p.m. Clinic D-l "Dynamics of a Healthy Family" Speaker: Theresa Adams, MSW BCSW ACSW, West Bank Centre for Psycho-Therapy Convention Centre 11.00 a.m.-12.00 noon Technical Workshop—Rotor Blades, De-icing and Composite Structures "Upcoming Technologies From an Operator's Perspective" Chairman: William H. Dousey B.F. Goodrich Company Convention Centre 1.00 p.m.-2.15 p.m. Insurance Industry Reception New Orleans Hilton Hotel 6.00 p.m.-7.30 p.m. 37th Annual Awards Banquet and Dance Guest Speaker: Donald D. Engen Federal Aviation Administrator New Orleans Hilton Hotel 7.30 p.m.-11.30 p.m. 30 FLIGHT International, 5 January 1985''
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