HELI-EXPO 2012

Well, it is early January here in Wisconsin as we are finishing up this issue. Helicopter Association International (HAI) HELI-EXPO 2012 is a month away, but will be upon us when you get this issue in your mailbox. As you tore open the bag to get to this issue you undoubtedly noticed we had a ride-along supplement. It is HeliMx magazine’s HELI-EXPO 2012 pre-show guide. Attending the largest helicopter event of the year could seem overwhelming. We tried to narrow down the schedule to events, seminars and meetings that were maintenance-related. If you have feedback on how we can improve the guide for next year please let us know!

Speaking of feedback, unless my column is the first thing you have read in the issue, you have probably noticed that we have a new name for our reader feedback section –—The Input Quill. We would like to thank Jon Robbins, Aviation Officer II, Helicopter Maintenance for CAL FIRE, for sending in the suggestion. Although there were many responses sent in, The Input Quill just seemed to be a great fit. Thank you to all who responded to our request to help re-name the reader feedback section.

By the way, although Jon Robbins happens to be a member of the HeliMx editorial advisory board (by the way, he wrote this month’s HeliMx cover story on Track and Balance), that had no influence on our decision to go with his suggestion of The Input Quill. It did, however, influence my decision to ask Robbins if he would agree to be interviewed for the cover story of Director of Maintenance (D.O.M.) magazine’s Jan/Feb issue. If you haven’t already done so, I would recommend reading his profile story. If you don’t receive D.O.M. magazine, I would encourage you to sign up for it. D.O.M. is THE resource for aircraft maintenance management professionals. It’s editorial is geared towards those in maintenance management positions or those striving to one day join the ranks of maintenance managers. You can go to www.DOMmagazine.com to subscribe. While you are there, take some time and read the cover story on Robbins. If you will be at HELI-EXPO 2012, you can pick up a copy of the Jan/Feb issue of D.O.M. at the publication bins or at our booth #6934.

The staff of HeliMx magazine will be out in full force at HELI-EXPO 2012. We will be walking the show floor looking for new products and services and talking to industry professionals. As you are walking around, I encourage you to stop by our booth #6934 to say hi.

Also, if you see anything at the show or meet a speaker in one of the technical sections that you feel would make for a good resource for an article in HeliMx, give us a shout. It is thanks to your feedback that we are able to provide the helicopter maintenance-focused editorial you have come to expect!

I would like to acknowledge a couple of other industry professionals as I close out this month’s column. Brad Nelson, DOM of the Phoenix, AZ Police Department’s Air Support Unit and a member of the HeliMx magazine editorial advisory board retired late last year. We wish him much happiness in the years to come, and will be looking to replace Brad on our advisory board. Also, Randy Davis-Yates of the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office Aviation Division in Arizona, and also a member of our editorial advisory board, has been promoted to DOM. Congratulations Randy and best wishes in your new role!

Thanks for reading!

Joe Escobar  |  Editorial Director