Home / About / Our History Our History Sep. 14, 1939Igor Sikorsky flies the first practical helicopter, the VS-300, when helicopters were still experimental aircraft1945The commercial helicopter industry begins, with Axis and Allied militaries using the new technology primarily for troop evacuationMar. 8, 1946The Bell 47 is the first helicopter certificated for civil use by the Civil Aeronautics Board (forerunner of the FAA)Dec. 13, 1948Art Fornoff, a representative from Bell Helicopter, meets with representatives of six Southern California operators to form the Helicopter Council, later renamed the California Helicopter Association (CHA)1951CHA broadens membership to all operators and manufacturers in the United States and its territories1954CHA is renamed the Helicopter Association of America (HAA)1955Elynor Rudnick is the first woman elected president of HAA 1956Carl Agar is elected as the first non-U.S. HAA president1950-1953Helicopters reduce combat mortality during the Korean War. Fatalities reach a new low of 2%, largely due to rapid evacuation of the seriously wounded and helicopter-provided whole blood at forward medical stations1955-1975The Vietnam War brings new technology, new capabilities, and newly trained personnel to the global helicopter industry and the first large-scale deployment of drone helicopters1965The association adopts the HAA Code of Ethics1981HAA becomes Helicopter Association International (HAI), in recognition of its international status1982The Fly Neighborly program launches1983HAI and the European Helicopter Association form the International Federation of Helicopter Associations2005HAI sponsors the first International Helicopter Safety Symposium in Montreal2006The Vertical Aviation Safety Team launches, then known as the International Helicopter Safety Team 2013A ROTOR article, “Land the Damn Helicopter,” inspires the HAI Land & LIVE initiativeJun. 30, 2020HAI and the Australian Helicopter Industry Association form the International Partnership Program; IPP now comprises 18 national and regional vertical aviation associationsJul. 30, 2020NASA launches the Mars Helicopter Ingenuity, the first aircraft to achieve powered, controlled flight on another planet; its 72 flights pave the way for future aerial exploration of Mars, and, potentially, other space destinations2024HAI is renamed Vertical Aviation International; HAI HELI-EXPO is renamed VERTICON Check out our 75th Anniversary Special Issue! Read more
