ROTOR Spring/Summer 2021 President’sPresident’s MessageMessage NEWSLETTER OF THE JimJim DavidsonDavidson SOUTHERN ROTORCRAFT ASSOCIATION SPRING/SUMMER 2021 We’ve

EDITORIAL changed Editor: Tony Byrnes Designer: Kathy Byrnes our name, Contributing Writers: Allison Rakun, Jim Paules, Jim Davidson, Tony Byrnes read on... Cover photo: Helinet S-76 over , contributed by Helinet All other photos, unless noted, courtesy of Damon Duran, Phantom Phan Photography MAILING ADDRESS Jim Woodaman SoCalRotors 2021 340 S. Lemon Ave, #3943 Walnut, CA 91789 Rotorcraft Association VOICE MESSAGE CENTER Leadership Award Recipient (323) 929-7472 EMAIL Vice President Jim Woodaman [email protected] is stepping down and the Board of WEB Directors has voted unanimously to www.socalrotors.org honor his many years of service to the Professional Helicopter Pilots FACEBOOK Association as we evolve into the Southern California Rotorcraft Southern California Rotorcraft Association (SoCalRotors) Association. Jim has served on the PHPA Board of Directors beginning SoCal Rotors in 1991, which included terms as MISSION STATEMENT President and as Vice President. Jim’s fying career started in • Promote safety and understanding 1983 as an airplane pilot and 2013. Throughout his career Jim among helicopter pilots progressed to helicopters in 1990. has worked for several Southern In 1996 he founded Summit California operators including • Coordinate efforts toward Helicopter, located at Whiteman Western Helicopters, Briles improving communications , which is engaged primarily methods of operation within the Helicopters, National Helicopters, in power line construction and airspace system or any other area KNBC, KCAL and KCBS, fying that will contribute to the safety maintenance work. Currently, a variety of missions including and education of all pilots he is a pilot for Siller Helicopter external load/construction, law primarily fying fre missions in enforcement, ENG and frefghting. • Provide a forum for identifying support of the USFS and Cal Jim has been integral to and seeking resolution to local Fire. He is a principal of Welk problems of interest to the our association’s success and Aviation which owns both Angel membership represents the best of the helicopter City Air and Summit Helicopter. industry. Therefore, the Board • Promote community relations Jim began fying ENG in 1999 and of Directors has awarded Jim between the public and the was also a pilot for the Hawthorne Woodaman the 2021 SoCal Rotors helicopter industry Police Department from 2001 to Leadership Award.

2 MAIN ROTOR | SPRING/SUMMER 2021 SoCalRotors PHPA Pivots to the Future: and You’re Invited to Come Aboard!

by Jim Paules and Jim Davidson

Since September 29th, 1967, when the March 1, 2021, we introduced the community Professional Helicopter Pilots Association to our new identity: Southern California become an offcial non-proft association Rotorcraft Association / SoCal Rotors. with the California Secretary of State, Our association president, James we have relentlessly cherished our Davidson, knows something history of member development about driving change to /community service. Yet achieve goals, whether it’s as with any fight plan, we conducting combat missions are also aware of approaching in Vietnam or driving change challenges…often just over the to a non-proft organization. horizon. According to Jim, one of the key We welcome our members to the next accomplishments achieved by the future for our association! PHPA in the past was to provide a unique Like many close families, the Professional platform via the PHPA website in which Helicopter Pilots Association/PHPA in California anyone fying in Southern California was able to rolled through the 2019 holidays and into 2020 with fnd critical information (restrictions, frequencies, a high expectation for another year of success and weather, etc.) during major fres in order to keep growth. Our PHPA worked seamlessly with HAI to host everyone safe. That website, which evolved to include the Manufacturers’ Demonstration Ramp at Angel Stadium association business, TFR’s Noise Sensitive Areas, during HAI’s HELI Expo in Anaheim. This was our third news, and other relevant information for our members time at this site and the insurance services and permits has been redesigned to refect SoCalRotors, our new with the Angel Stadium management team went well and moniker. Davidson also recalled how well attended the we welcomed the frst arrival on Tuesday, January 28, PHPA’s annual Fire Briefng meeting had become, often 2020. at the Airport. The structure of the conference Over the next three days, our PHPA team had the was designed to communicate critical fight ops info privilege of welcoming eight helicopters from among the among airborne fre fghter crews and the growing leading rotary-wing aviation companies from around the number of media helicopters covering the fres during our globe. Our partnership with the Angel Stadium and HAI treacherous Santa Ana winds. These discussions included management teams went fawlessly while our volunteer sharing common acronyms and special frequencies used ramp support from PHPA members was unending and, by fre, law enforcement, and ENG crews during airborne most importantly, our PHPA BOD member Dave Andrews fre ops which is key to keeping all fght crews safe by (MDR Ramp Boss) provided a well-scheduled and safe communicating clearly with one another. sequence of fight arrivals/departures. The last helicopter Davidson points out that while technology of rotary departed for home January 30, at 1740 hours and we wing aviation has certainly changed since he few congratulated our team for the best Demo Ramp ever! gunships on Clearly 2020 looked like it would be a high-fying year… combat missions, after all, what could possibly go wrong? he notes the lessons he THE FAST PIVOT learned about Like the rest of the planet, we were too busy to notice managing change the early news of the spread of COVID-19 that rapidly are still relevant to turned 2020 into a year unlike any one we’ve ever seen. today’s pilots. “We Like many other nonproft service associations, PHPA learned during the turned to online board meetings and put the hard stop to heat of battle, day our in-person safety briefngs. We also decided to use the and night, how to unique schedule COVID delivered to work on changes we be prepared for felt were needed for the future of the PHPA. As changes fights, including were discussed in operations and goals to sustain and continued on inform our members, we began to believe we should go page 4 big and change the name of the association. Thus, on BOD Zager and Pres. Davidson work- ing the manufacturer’s demo ramp.

SoCalRotors SPRING/SUMMER 2021 | MAIN ROTOR 3 PHPA Pivots

from page 3 pre-fights, density altitudes, departures, and approaches, while fying heavily loaded aircraft,” Davidson explained. “Vietnam fying was very complex, with airspace restrictions such as Fire Bases, B-52 Arc-light missions, air strike’s, and artillery fying corridors to have to navigate in, around or through, much like the the Los Angeles Basin today. Now it’s the same—handling multiple radios, navigating and conducting your fight under different FARS all at the same time keeping your situational awareness on high alert. The same skill sets are true in Bell AH-1G Cobra organizing and mentoring others via the PHPA, which now is the new SoCal Rotors organization. “The local knowledge, coordination and complete understanding of the big picture must be shared by all. How you ft into this is the key to being a successful pilot in the Los Angeles basin and surrounding areas. “Pilots realize that a successful fight mission often means a 360 degree view and the ability to change course when needed, much like the decisions made by the PHPA Board to take action and change our name to the Southern California Rotorcraft Association.”

WHY WE CHANGED OUR NAME “Several may ask why make this change at this time?” The PHPA has led the way toward community support for rotary-wing aviation with an active coalitions of pilots, FAA/government services and community associations concerned about helicopter noise. Part of the change continued on page 10 Phantom 1974 LAFD Bell 47

Sikorsky S-76 Cal Fire UH-60 Fire Hawk

4 MAIN ROTOR | SPRING/SUMMER 2021 SoCalRotors Jim Paules 2020 PHPA Lifetime Acheivement Award Winner

1996, Paules frst served on Magazine, the , the Board of Directors in 2000. Air Space Magazine and 9-1- During this long tenure with the 1 Magazine with themes from PHPA, Paules has served as the helicopters’ role in SAR Operations association Treasurer, Membership to customer satisfaction for builders director, newsletter editor and has to fnancial management tactics for worked on committees supporting non-proft organizations. the Helicopter Awareness Day and Upon graduation from Los PHPA’s involvement in a host of Angeles’ frst FBI Citizens Academy community events over the years. class in 2001, Paules organized As an enthusiastic supporter the F.B.I. Citizens Academy Alumni of rotary-wing aviation, Paules Association and served as the originated the American Heroes Air founding President. Additionally, Show at the Santa Monica Airport Paules was the founding President in 1993. Since then, this unique and continues to sit on the Board event has grown into the nation’s of Directors of the Los Angeles Jim Paules premier helicopter-only, admission- A.T.F. Citizens Academy Alumni free aviation experience; produced Association. by volunteers in communities from Married since 1981, Jim has With over 25 years of experience coast to coast. made West Hills in the San in real estate development, non- Paules has additionally Fernando Valley his home with his proft management and event connected with the Southern wife Kristen, a Special Education development, Paules brings a California community via his teacher with LAUSD and their two unique toolbox of skills in fnancial/ authored articles in BUILDER grown children, Ryan and Victoria. accounting management, business development and volunteer/ team management. Paules holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from California State University, Northridge, along with graduate certifcates in Real Estate Finance and Construction Management from the UCLA Graduate Builders Program. Jim is also a Certifed Management Accountant, C.M.A. Paules’ career in real estate has included roles with many of the premier home and commercial property builders in Southern California including Griffn Industries and Forecast Homes. Additionally, Jim imagined, designed and took to market the landmark Customer Satisfaction Study for Homebuilders during his tenure with J.D. Power and Associates. A member of the PHPA since

Jim speaking at the American Heroes Air Show

SoCalRotors SPRING/SUMMER 2021 | MAIN ROTOR 5 HELINET: A Multi-Mission Company

by Allison Rakun, Helinet SVP of Marketing and Business Development

Since the late 80s, Helinet has been a staple in the with fully equipped EMS aircraft, pilots, fuel and Los Angeles helicopter community, providing services maintenance at no cost to CHLA. to a diverse mix of markets. Legendary stunt pilot and Helinet wasn’t done expanding. The company launched entrepreneur Alan Purwin co-founded West Coast its revolutionary Helinet Technologies division in 2009, a Helicopters in 1987 and later merged the company with business sector that provides microwave downlink and Helinet in 1998. other mission critical solutions to airborne While most other aviation companies law enforcement (ALE) across the were focused on a small selection of nation. Most recently, a partnership with rotorcraft, Alan saw the beneft of running Brown Helicopter and Anduze Helicopter a diverse operation from the start. was formed to bring multiple UH-60s The company began with one Bell to Southern California for commercial 206L, providing electronic newsgathering production and aerial frefghting missions. (ENG) services to local news stations Helinet’s pool of 37 highly skilled pilots and quickly expanded into other business and staggered schedule model allows the lines, supplying VIP charter services to high-net-worth company the fexibility of having qualifed pilots available individuals, turnkey aerial production services for the to launch at a moment’s notice. To support its various television and motion picture industries, and time-critical mission requirements, Helinet’s feet currently consists of fights for vital organ transport programs throughout 8 Airbus AS350s, 2 Airbus AS355s, 3 Leonardo A109s, Southern California. 4 Sikorsky S76s, 3 Blackhawk UH-60s and 15 high- In 1999, Helinet launched one of its most important performance drones. missions: the helicopter air ambulance program for Through economic challenges, and most recently, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, providing the hospital the COVID-19 pandemic, the company’s diversity and

6 MAIN ROTOR | SPRING/SUMMER 2021 SoCalRotors HELINET: A Multi-Mission Company by Allison Rakun, Helinet SVP of Marketing and Business Development

innovative solutions, along with its robust safety and Chief Pilot Brian Petschauer. “They can also fy in ways training standards, has been the driving force that that cause the least possible impact to the public,” he keeps the rotors turning at this based added. operation. As Chief Pilot, Brian regularly sends out operations Fly Neighborly Program memos to his team, highlighting noise sensitive areas and ways to reduce Helinet’s noise footprint in that particular Helinet’s rigorous fight standards are implemented region. However, there are times when certain areas can’t with pilots from the moment they frst walk in the front be avoided in the interest of fight safety, meeting FAA door. These standards are upheld in a variety of ways regulations and ATC directions, or due to the time-critical including internal and external training. On average, the nature of the mission. “When we get a call from Children’s company invests approximately 300 hours of training and Hospital Los check ride fights per year. Helinet’s Safety Management Angeles to pick System (SMS), Flight Risk Assessment Tool (FRAT) up a child with a and Emergency Response Plan (ERP) also support and life-threatening ensure a strong safety culture. condition, or To mitigate the company’s noise impact on the one of our communities they fy above, Helinet has developed a “Fly hospital clients Neighborly Program” to provide a clear foundation and set need immediate of standards for its pilots and staff. “Pilots can help make transportation the public less hostile to day-to-day helicopter operations for their organ by being aware of noise sensitive areas, and when continued on possible, avoid fying over these areas,” said Helinet’s page 7

SoCalRotors SPRING/SUMMER 2021 | MAIN ROTOR 7 avoiding sharp maneuvers and blade slap, using steep Helinet take-off and descent profles, and while on departures, utilizing maximum power settings and best rate of climb from page 7 airspeeds. Another point is the importance of varying routes, as repeated fights over the same areas can lead procurement teams, we have an obligation to fy the to unhappy neighbors. There are obvious exceptions to quickest and safest route possible,” said Al Sousa, Vice this requirement, including takeoffs, landings, ATC routing, President and Director of Operations. weather, collision avoidance regulatory reasons and While most community members can certainly operational requirements. understand Helinet’s commitment to providing rapid helicopter transportation for medical missions, which at Covering the News from Above times means fying over noise sensitive areas, they still Breaking news happens fast. Such news usually deal with people that don’t seem to care. attracts an aerial crowd consisting of multiple electronic From claims of decreasing homeowner propriety values newsgathering aircraft representing the major news to disrupting sleep, Helinet has heard their fair share of stations within the region along with local airborne law noise complaints over the 30+ years the company has enforcement teams tracking the incident. To help pilots been in business. “We’ve heard it all, but what we’ve prepare for the dynamics of fying an ENG mission, found is that the majority of the noise complaints come Helinet’s Chief Pilot and Lead ENG Pilot teamed up with from a small group of people. We try our best to respond LAPD Air Ops to create SOP guidelines for these types of to complaints by educating the individual on the reason fights. for the fight and explain some of the tactics we use to “While our goal is to help broadcasters get the best minimize disruption,” added Sousa. aerial vantage points possible, Helinet’s ENG pilots are To help mitigate the impact of its helicopter operations trained to give ALL aircraft working an incident the proper on the public, Helinet has created Standard Operating space needed to effectively do their job and communicate Procedures (SOP) to reduce noise levels during various with the agency pilots on the scene to ensure safe fight missions. Pilots are notifed through the company’s operations,” stated Petschauer. air carrier management system when a new SOP is Working in the Car Chase Capital of the World promulgated. The high-speed pursuit has become a unique part of One of the main points the SOP stresses is fying at LA culture. ENG aircraft get dispatched to the scene while or above 1,000 feet AGL when over residential areas. It viewers stay glued to their screens, waiting for the bad also highlights best practices to decrease an aircraft’s guy to get caught. Working in the car chase capital of the noise signature. Some of the techniques listed include world means LA-based ENG pilots need to be prepared

8 MAIN ROTOR | SPRING/SUMMER 2021 SoCalRotors to cover one of the most complex news stories to navigate from above. During a pursuit, airborne law enforcement typically relays critical information to the ground units, while ENG aircraft are on the scene to provide news stations with real-time coverage. Helinet pilots are trained to understand the importance of allowing multiple agency aircraft appropriate space to maneuver and follow the pursuit as required. ENG crews are also taught to be mindful of possible handoffs from one agency to another when a pursuit crosses city boundaries. At times, ENG aircraft could be interfering with ongoing investigations or tactical operations Children’s Hospital/Helinet Sikorsky S-76C+ on the ground. “Under these complex challenges. Having circumstances, the ALE aircraft an experienced team with may give our pilots a set of strong communication among parameters to operate by, said staff, clients and community Petschauer. “We teach our pilots to members continues to be respect the guidelines set forth by a crucial part of Helinet’s the law enforcement agency while success. As the company keeping ENG crews informed. continues to evolve, diversify Situational awareness is key.” and enter new markets, one From navigating above noise thing that will remain at the sensitive communities to keeping heart of the operation is a up with active vehicle pursuits, culture of putting the safe and rotorcraft operations in the heart of professional operation and Los Angeles can bring forth many maintenance of aircraft frst.

Brian Petschauer, Chief Pilot

Photos courtesty of Helinet Aviation For more information, visit www.helinet.com Helinet UH-60 Firefghting Aircraft

SoCalRotors SPRING/SUMMER 2021 | MAIN ROTOR 9 PHPA Pivots

from page 4 was from the desire to be more directly titled and aligned with our mission. The Professional Helicopter Pilots Association had a great mission, but our organization has changed just as the rotary-wing environment has changed. The PHPA was not, and had never really been limited to just helicopter pilots. We welcomed and honored then, as we do now under our new name, a wide range of crew-members, maintenance teams and corporations. Most of all, we have a new focus with goals to guide students seeking the pilot’s seat for tomorrow’s helicopter missions. “Much has changed since 1967 when the association frst invited membership applications; today we invite you to join us and be part of the team navigating the future changes and challenges that the rotary-wing industry is sure to encounter…just over the horizon.”

www.SoCalROTORS.org

Top: Sikorsky S-58T Screaming Mimi; Left: Bell 429; Below: Airbus H-135 Photos by PhantomPhan1974

10 MAIN ROTOR | SPRING/SUMMER 2021 SoCalRotors Cal Fire UH-60 Fire Hawk Bell 407EX

Come Join Us! SoCalRotors regularly distributes emails other local helicopter air shows and that contain important information to events including the American Heroes our members. Air Show and Wings, Wheels & SoCalRotors provides a website Rotors. (socalrotors.org) which SoCalRotors works in provides valuable conjunction with public information to helicopter service operators to operators. publish safety materials (including our Public SoCalRotors “Main Rotor” Service & Media Aviation quarterly newsletters provide Guidelines booklet) and offer updates about our organization, hosted events (including our our industry and our members and annual Fire Service Briefing) where local operators. private operators can meet the firefighting and law enforcement SoCalRotors Safety Seminars allow aviation professionals and get updated members to gain valuable knowledge information about the requirements of from some of the top leaders in our flying near their incidents. industry. SoCalRotors provides a great opportunity SoCalRotors “Helicopter Awareness Day” to network with other aviation events are now held in collaboration with professionals in your community.

By paying your Annual Membership Dues, you give us the financial foundation that allows us to continue fighting unfair or restrictive government regulations, protecting our heliports, promoting aviation safety and educating pilots, working together with the public, and securing a healthy future for our industry. To join SoCalRotors, go to: www.socalrotors.org

SoCalRotors SPRING/SUMMER 2021 | MAIN ROTOR 11 12 MAIN ROTOR | SPRING/SUMMER 2021 SoCalRotors