I know all Twirly Birds join me in congratulating you on being the first woman to receive the coveted LES MORRIS award and all your major accomplishments in the fixed and rotary-wing fields of Aviation.  Well done, Twirly Bird!

                                  

WES LEMATTA—LONG-TIME T-BIRD SUPPORTER EXTRORDINAIRE

 

Wes Lematta---founder/owner of Columbia Helicopters---the world’s largest heavy-lift helicopter company.  Starting in 1957, Wes along with his brother Eddie purchased a used Hiller 12B and sought work wherever they could find it.  During this first year of operation, Wes gained national recognition for the rescue of 15 seamen from a sinking dredge off Coos Bay, Oregon.  Rough seas prevented boats from getting to the ship.  Making numerous trips, Wes was able to rescue all 15 seamen before the ship was completely swamped.  Recognition of this heroic mission brought customers and soon the business improved.

 

Developing new external lift techniques, using a long-line which gave the pilot a direct look at the load and placement cite, named the Direct Visual Operational Control, has become the method used by external load pilots to conduct safe, precise cargo placement. In 1978, Wes expanded Columbia’s operations to Alaska, after purchasing Alaska Helicopters.

         

Wes and CHI employees have won several major industry awards.  Wes has actively supported HAI, AHS, Twirly Birds, and HFI to name a few.  In 1995, Wes received the Pathfinder Award given by the Boeing Museum of flight in Seattle, Washington.  That award recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to flight in the Northwestern U.S...  At HeliExpo in 1990, Columbia chairman, Wes Lematta was awarded the 1989 Lawrence D. Bell Memorial Award for helicopter leadership.  In 2005, HAI recognized Wes with the Honorary Life Membership Award.

         

The Twirly Bird organization is especially grateful to Wes for his many years of financial support for our annual meeting.  There is no doubt in my mind that Wes’s continued, unfailing support is, and will continue to be, one of the brightest spots in the history of the Twirly Birds. I’m sure that all Twirly Birds join me in congratulating Wes in his receiving the coveted LES MORRIS award.

         

Our Vice President and Membership Chairman, Wilbur O’Brien, resigned his position after many years of faithful service.  A “Tip of the Rotor” salute for you Wilbur.  We needed an early replacement for the Membership Chairman, and in view of some of the voluntary help we had been receiving from Jim Kettles (like getting 21 new Twirly Birds signed up at the meeting), Jim was nominated and then unanimously voted-in as the Twirly Birds new Membership Chairman.  Congratulations Jim on the great recruiting efforts on behalf of the T-Birds and your new position as Membership Chairman.

         

As mentioned in my last letter, our dues receipts have been less than anticipated and we were hoping to get some help in the financial area.  Our many thanks to Steve Sullivan who solicited additional funds at the meeting.  Thanks Steve and to those who donated!  Along that same line, I know that all T-Birds will join me in giving our #1 Canadian friend, Mel O’Reilly, a “Tip of the Rotor” for his most generous $1,000 contribution for the support of the Twirly Birds.  Thanks again Mel—from all T-Birds!

         

Now that I’ve given you the good news, it is my sad duty to pass on the news of the “going West” of three notable Twirly Birds.

         

JAMES RAMAGE

 

James N. Ramage, age 63, was one of nine fatalities in the Northern California helicopter crash that happened in the summer of ’08 on the Shasta-Trinity National Forest.  Jim had an outstanding career with both the U.S. Forest Service and California’s state fire agency.  James’ aviation career began as a U.S. Army helicopter pilot from 1966 to 1970.  He served one tour of duty in Vietnam, and also flew with Air America in Southeast Asia from 1970-1974.

         

In 1974 Jim began his helicopter firefighting career with Evergreen Helicopters and flew as a contract pilot for both the US Forest Service and CAS Fire until 1978.  He then worked as a contract pilot for Redding Air Service, flying across the Western U.S...  For 20 years, Ramage worked for CAL Fire.  He was the first Forestry Pilot for CAS Fire and carried badge #1 for forestry pilots.  He was promoted to Air Operations Officer and served as CAS Fire Chief Helicopter Pilot and later Aviation Safety Officer until his retirement in 2003.  After eleven days of retirement, Jim began working for the U.S. Forest Service as helicopter inspector pilot working out of McClellan, CA.  He dedicated himself and his career to help provide for the safety of others.  Jim was performing his duties as a helicopter inspector pilot at the time of the accident.

 

Harry Edward “Ned” Gilliand, Jr.  (1931-2009)

 

Ned Gilliand passed on quietly at home on Thursday, March 19, in Boyd, TX.  Ned was born on April 8, 1931, in Dover, N.J.  A witness to the crash of the Hindenburg at Lakehurst, N.J., his early fascination with flying developed into an enthusiasm that defined his early years.  He traded working odd jobs at the Morristown, N.J., airport for flying lessons, receiving his pilot’s license at age 16.  His early interest in flying grew into a lifelong passion.

         

Ned joined the Army in 1953 and acquired his formal helicopter flight training at Ft. Sill, OK.  While there, Ned met Sunny, who volunteered with the USO.  They were married in 1954.  Ned advanced to become a military helicopter flight instructor and was selected to perform on the U.S. Army Helicopter Square Dance Team.  He was honorably discharged in 1957 and then flew in Alaska for ERA, Columbia Helicopters, and Hillcrest Aircraft.  Ned received the Robert E. Tremble Memorial Award in 1963.  In 1964, Ned joined Bell Helicopter as a production test pilot.  During his Bell years, Ned served as coach and pilot for the USA Helicopter Team, which flew in competition at the Third World Helicopter Championships in Vitebsk, USSR in 1978.  The USA team was awarded second place and Ned received the award as an outstanding team coach.  In 1986 he retired from Bell and his position as supervisor of production test pilots.  Ned loved to share his knowledge and aviation interest with others.  An Aviation historian, he authored “Dancing Rotors”, a history of U.S. military precision flight demonstration teams.  During his flying career, Ned logged almost 18,000 hours, flying 128 different models of helicopters and 38 different models of fixed wing.  In 2006, Ned was honored with the Twirly Bird’s most prestigious award, the Les Morris award in recognition of his outstanding contribution to rotary flight as an outstanding pioneer helicopter pilot.  Ned is sorely missed by all who knew him. 

 

ALAN BRISTOW: founder of Bristow Helicopters.  1923---2009

 

The Twirly Birds are saddened by the passing of Alan Edgar Bristow on April 26, 2009, a former chief executive of British United Airways, was the founder of one of the world’s largest helicopter companies, Bristow Helicopters, where he served as managing director and then Chairman from 1954 to 1985. An astute businessman, test pilot, and helicopter pioneer, Bristow was loyal and generous to his employees.  His helicopters played an important role in the development of North Sea Oil and operated in nearly every country in the world.

 

After the Second World War broke out on his 16^th birthday, Alan joined the British India Steamship Co. as a deck officer cadet.  He was sunk twice, once aboard the SS Malda by Japanese warships, and again aboard the SS Hatarana by the German submarine U214 while off the Azores.  In 1944 he joined the Fleet Air Arm, graduating in the top four of his pilot training course. Bristow was sent to America, where he became the first Briton to learn to fly the Sikorsky R4 helicopter.

 

Bristow was hired as Westland Aircraft Company’s first helicopter test pilot in 1947.  He later moved to Paris, where he managed and flew a helicopter operation that included flying up and down the Seine with a pair of circus trapeze artists tethered beneath his helicopter.  Later, after founding Bristow Helicopters, Alan was convinced that North Sea gas and oil exploration was a direction the company should pursue.  Bristow gambled everything on the success of the North Sea oil exploration and saw his risk amply rewarded.

 

In 1968 he took over as chief executive of British United Airways and restored it to profitability, before selling it to Caledonian Airways three years later and returning to Bristow Helicopters.  After Alan’s departure from the company, Bristow Helicopters passed through several hands before being bought out by an American multinational company, Offshore Logistics, Inc., which retained the original founder’s name when they changed the company name to the Bristow Group. The company remains a significant player in the helicopter world.

 

During his lifetime he received many awards and honors, including the Order of the British Empire in 1966 for his contribution and services to aviation, and Croix de Guerre in 1950 for rescuing four wounded French Foreign Legion soldiers in Indochina, under mortar fire.  He had moved to Indochina in 1949, in an effort to interest the French Air Force in buying Hiller Helicopters to evacuate their wounded.  Bristow was also elected a Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society in 1967 and this past December was put up as a candidate to be enshrined in the National Aviation Hall of Fame in Dayton, Ohio.

         

Bristow is survived by his wife, Heather, and a son and daughter from his first marriage, and his first wife predeceased him. In my last direct communication with Alan, he said that he had taken my challenge that all Twirly Birds should get busy and put on paper their Aviation/Helicopter memoirs.  As Alan became increasingly immobilized, he spent many hours writing and had completed a book, and except for arranging pictures, should be available by Christmas. I know that all Twirly Birds join me in sending our most sincere condolences to Heather and Alan’s children.  All Twirly Birds will be looking forward to the availability of Alan’s memoirs, as I’m sure they will be exciting reading for all aviators everywhere.

         

Wilbur O’Brien, our Vice President and Membership Chairman resigned his positions at the annual meeting.  Our heart-felt thanks to Wilbur for his many years of faithful, sterling service to the Twirly Bird organization. By unanimous vote, we have a new Membership Chairman, Jim Kettles.  Jim has been actively assisting the growth of the Twirly Bird flock in the publicity arena.  Jim, through his connections in the aviation publications, issued a press release which was very effective in the recruiting of new T-Birds. 

 

For T-Bird’s who may have missed the press release, highlights of the article follow:

 

Twirly Birds look for new members around the world

 

A group of helicopter pilots with an unusual name is searching for new members and if you soloed at least 20 years ago, you can be a member.  Twirly Birds have been around since 1945 and it was at this time, during a fledgling helicopter industry, that a small band of helicopter pilots decided to form a group in which to share common goals, experiences, hardships, and yes: dangers.

 

Those not familiar with Twirly Birds will discover that it’s an international organization comprised of helicopter pilots, many of which were the early pioneers in the business.  This is strictly a social group with no agenda other than to gather with other helicopter pilots that share the common bond of vertical flight.  New friendships are made, old ones renewed, and all in the name of aviation fellowship.  The eclectic membership is one of civil and military backgrounds, executives, aircraft owners, managers, line pilots, inventors, industry pioneers, and helicopter company owners.  Some are retired, but many are flying helicopters around the world.

 

ABOUT TWIRLY BIRDS

The Twirly Birds is an exclusive and elite international organization of the pioneering pilots of helicopters and other vertical takeoff aircraft founded in 1945.  The sole purpose of this nonprofit organization is to recognize and cement the fellowship of those brought together by the common bond of vertical flight and to facilitate the cordial exchange of experience and opinions as the helicopter and other vertical take-off aircraft art progresses.  For more info, visit the website at:  http://www.twirlybirds.org

         

At the annual meeting in Anaheim, we gained 24 new members, plus an additional 8 after the convention, for a total of 32 new members.  The new members will be listed in the Twirly Bird Directory, which will be available later this year.     

         

The University of Texas at Dallas (UTD) has expressed an interest in establishing an official Twirly Birds archive at the McDermott Library at UTD.  This archive would be used to catalog, display, and maintain the records, documents, journals, manuals, and associated material as provided by the Twirly Bird members. Since my first quarter letter of ’09, wherein your elected officers recommended the University of Texas at Dallas to be the repository for our membership’s memorabilia, we have received many positive responses and no negative comments.  The HISTORY OF AVIATION COLLECTION at UTD has the financial strength, the political clout, the central location, the rotary-wing population, and the long-time history of dedication to the preservation of all aspects of aviation history.  A few T-Bird members have already donated material to UTD.  Future generations will have the opportunity to research and learn about the growth and development of the rotorcraft industry that we have been a part of for several decades.  All Twirly Bird members have items that they would like to have preserved.  Your donations are a way to insure that some of your life story is not relegated to the dumpster after you have,”Gone West”.  If your collection is extensive and valuable, an appraisal may be in order for you to obtain an IRS tax deduction on the donation

         

In view of the foregoing, and the unanimous positive responses to the establishment of a new record group called the Twirly Bird Archives, with a web page dedicated to our archives, and the placement of selected photographs and documents on the University’s institutional repository titled: Treasures @ UT Dallas. In order to firmly establish the official and ongoing close relationship with the University of Texas, the Twirly Bird organization will make a substantial donation in order to start the program.

 

The point of contact is:

Curator of Special Collections

McDermott Library

The University of Texas at Dallas

P. O. Box 830643, MC 33

Richardson, Texas 75083-0643

 

Any additional questions, please contact Twirly Bird Treasurer, Bill Yarber at:  williamyarber@sbcglobal.net.

 

Special recognition and thanks, with a “Tip of the Rotor” must be given to:

Wilbur O’Brien—retiring from the office of V.P.

Jim Kettles—newly elected Membership Chairman.

Roger Gould—our T-Bird web master.

Bill Yarber—our stalwart T-Bird Treasurer, whose generous  giving  of his time and talents to the successful annual reception, and meeting—which included making all the arrangements with the hotels, caterers, negotiation downward of the outrageous hotel charges, and paying the bills.  Many thanks, Bill, from all Twirly Birds.

 

I probably have missed many folks who have contributed their time and talents to keep the Twirly Birds a great, viable rotary wing organization, and to all of you un-named, but much appreciated Twirly Birds, I give all of you a sincere, “Tip of the Rotor”

Jim Hamilton, Gallant Leader

 

New e-mail address: jimchris@gvtc.com