HELI-EXPO PIC GALLERY

THE BELL 47 HELICOPTER ASSOCIATION

"THE VOICE OF THE BELL 47"

RETURN TO: Bell 47 Helicopter Association

SPECIAL HELI-EXPO MARCH 5-8, 2011 ORLANDO CONVENTION SHOW UPDATE

I have had many calls asking if B47HA will be appearing at the Heli-Expo Convention as we have in the past. I think as President I should take this leadership opportunity to speak directly to our members at this time, as many of the callers have encouraged me to do so, about our Heli-Expo appearance. As my Grandpa said, "It's hard for folks to know where we are going, if we forget - where we have been."

As many members know, we have the past Bell 47 gurus and leaders from Bell Helicopter/Textron Company to thank for our past Heli-Expo attendances, BHT supported, provided, and appreciated the appearances fully. "Why?"

First, B47HA drew large crowds to BHT's Dallas, Vegas, Anaheim, Houston, & Orlando displays. "Why?"
As President, I for one, enjoyed meeting members and older pilots who related and appreciated how B47HA took an active leadership role to basically protect the legacy of the 47 from scam artists for the past ten years. Many of those members recounted how much it meant to them to speak with someone on the phone during a sleepless night. Some stopped by and wanted to personally thanked us for the cash and parts we recovered for them by serving them in the role as a "Powerful Consumer Group." This influence kept bad vendors from abusing our members and strengthened good reputable vendors and schools by the use of our mega website's vendor review page and our consistent reputation for fairness.
Special visits to our displays from our contingent of members who are federal, state, and county law enforcement officials still are appreciated by Danny and I who are also former police officers. Their stories of how the Bell 47 paved the way for future protection of our public have created a camradery that will not be forgotten.
To many visitors, B47HA served as a linkage to their past and their memories of "The Helicopter that Saved so Many Lives - The Bell 47," and for some - saved their own lives, on the battlefield or after an accident, because of the fact that "The Bell 47 was the original - Angel of Mercy."
As one of the stars of of our spokesmen "The Whirlybirds," I was humbled by fans, of the original popular 1950's Bell 47 TV series, relating how the show inspired them to become - pilots & mechanics.
A large number of visitors too who attended the shows remember the lengthy lines of people who waited just to be able to speak with our B47HA leaders about their relationship with "The Harley Davidson of Helicopters - The Bell 47." I always got a kick out of competitive helicopter manufacturers cruising by and smiling in respect at the long lines.
Many of those pilots who visited with us at the show have earned a place of honor on our B47HA memorial wall today and - have not been forgotten.
Finally as a parent and grandfather, I was thrilled to introduce a new generation of countless children, who attended the shows, to the "Bubble" helicopter that I too met in the 1950's.

No, B47HA will not be at Heli-Expo this year - however, more importantly though, as our 700 members can testify, we have been there for you with our resources non-stop the past ten years and will continue to do so to honor the legacy of the original Bell 47.

I encourage members to attend the show and visit our Bell 47 related member vendors.

I do wish to remind our loyal members that B47HA and "The Whirlybirds" will be appearing at the following two shows to honor the Bell 47 on the East and West Coast.

June 18, "Vertical Challenge" at the Hiller Aviation Museum in San Carlos, CA.
Sept 24/25 2011 at "Rotorfest" at the American Helicopter Museum at West Chester, PA.

President Joey Rhodes

(P.S. VP Danny Rodriguez shares, "Remember guys, your dues are the only support of our faithful mission. My question is "Will you help us continue to fulfill our mission to protect the legacy of the original Bell 47?)

HELI-EXPO ANAHEIM 2009 (657) MEMBERS

THIS YEAR THE WEST COAST PLAYED HOST TO THE EVENT. VP DANNY RODRIGUEZ AND SEC/TREAS. NEAL TOLER WERE ON HAND AT THE BHT BOOTH TO GREET AND MEET MEMBERS. B47HA HALL OF FAME AWARD WAS PRESENTED TO NATIONAL HELICOPTER SERVICE. DICK HART ACCEPTED THE AWARD. THE HARTS HAVE BEEN PIONEERS IN THE UTILIZATION AND INNOVATIVE MISSIONS OF THE BELL 47. THEY WILL ALWAYS BE KNOWN FOR THEIR PARTICIPATION IN THE WHIRLYBIRDS, BATMAN, AND OTHER TV AND MOVIE PRESENTATIONS OF THE 47.

HELI-EXPO HOUSTON 2008 (624) MEMBERS

THIS HAD TO BE ONE OF THE BEST SHOWS WE HAVE EVER HAD.

MANY VISITORS STOPPED BY AND WERE PLEASANTLY SURPRISED TO SEE US WITH THE BHT'S G4A UP IN THE HIGH RENT DISTRICT RIGHT NEXT TO BHT HEADQUARTERS AND THEIR NEW 429. MANY VISITORS REMARKED THAT THEY APPRECIATED THE RESPECT THAT BHT SHOWED TO THE BELL 47 HELICOPTER THAT BUILT THEIR COMPANY. THE MAJOR THEME PRESENTED BY B47HA WAS "BHT REMEMBERS THEIR ROOTS."

THE SHOW WAS MADE POSSIBLE BY THE KINDNESS OF SHANE EDDY, LESLIE FERRY, MARTY WRIGHT, AND PAT BUTLER.

DANNY RODRIGUEZ FLEW IN (AND OUT) WITH TONS OF GOODIES AND MEMORABILIA. IA NEAL TOLER ANSWERED MAINT QUESTIONS AND SERVED AS CHIEF CHAUFFER FOR THE ENTOURAGE. PRESIDENT RHODES SHARED THE B47HA STORY AND POSED FOR PICS. FOR THREE DAYS STRAIGHT FROM 10AM TO 4PM THE WHIRLYBIRDS AUTOGRAPHED THE NEW 2X3FT BELL 47 J POSTERS FOR FANS.

SPECIAL THANKS TO DR. PHIL JONES FOR THE HI-DEF PHOTOGRAPHY AND UNSELFISHLY DONATING HIS J FOR THE POSTER. ON HAND TO ASSIST IN THE BOOTH WERE BILL SHRUM, KEVIN RATTEY, ANDREW BARR, AND CRAIG MUELLER.

PRESIDENT RHODES GAVE FOUR MAGAZINE INTERVIEWS (ONE OF WHICH WILL BE FEATURED IN ROTORCRAFT PROFESSIONAL MAGAZINE IN MARCH.) RHODES ALSO SPOKE TO THE HAI INTERNATIONAL AFFILIATES SYMPOSIUM AND SPOKE IN FRONT OF HAI'S PRESIDENT.

WHEN ASKED BY HAI WHAT THEY COULD DO FOR B47HA, RHODES QUICKLY REPLIED THAT HE WANTED AN OFFICIAL STUDY OF BELL 47 ACCIDENTS OVER THE PAST FIVE YEARS. RHODES STATED THAT B47HA HAS CLAIMED VICTORY IN THE BOGUS PART WAR THAT BHT INITIATED IN THE SEVENTIES AND B47HA TOOK ON IN 2002. HE FELT THAT IT WAS TIME TO VERIFY OUR EFFORTS BY AN UNBIASED STUDY. HAI AGREED TO DO SO. WE WILL ADVISE THE MEMBERSHIP WHEN THE RESULTS ARE IN. MANY AUDIENCE MEMBERS STOPPED BY LATER AND STATED THAT THEY WERE "MESMERIZED AND REVITED BY JOEY'S BOLD ADDRESS AND ASKED FOR HIM TO COME AND SHARE THE 47 MESSAGE WITH THEIR MEMBERSHIPS.

VP DANNY RODRIGUEZ WAS ABLE TO DO A SPECIAL RUSSIAN TELEVISION INTERVIEW AND THE WHIRLYBIRDS INTRODUCED YOUNGSTERS TO THE 47. FOR SOME, THEY WERE ALLOWED TO SIT BEHIND THE CONTROLS OF THE G4A.

PRESIDENT RHODES WAS PLEASED TO SPEAK WITH MANY MEMBERS AND HAS NOW FORMULATED B47HA'S POSITION ON THE MILITARY HELICOPTER ISSUE IN COOPERATION WITH BHT'S DIRECTIVES. SOME OF THE MEMBERS STOPPING BY THE BOOTH WERE SCOTT CHURCHILL, AL BROUSSARD, RUSS JAMES, SAM CASTILLO, KENNY KOTHMAN, TOM WILLIAMS, RICHARD HART, JOHN AND DANIEL SCIBELLI, TOM JARLINGE, JEFF EVANS, BOB PETITE, SALMON RIVER HELICOPTERS, JOAQUIN BRANDI, FERNANDO CORREA, DON RUGGLES, ERIK BUSSE', TONY SODERSTROM, ROBERT HORNER, SAM CASTILLO, DAVID HEWITT, JIM HAWES, AND MANY MORE.

NEXT YEAR ANAHEIM, CA. WILL HOST THE EXPO AND WEST COAST DIRECTOR DANNY RODRIGUEZ HOPES TO SECURE A 47 FOR DISPLAY.

IT WAS REPORTED - B47HA MEMBER DON BRUCE-CA PASSED AWAY. MANY WILL REMEMBER DON'S BEAUTIFUL J2 AND H MODELS THAT HE FLEW INTO THE FIRST FLY IN AT BRACKETT AIRPORT IN LA VERNE, CA IN APRIL, 2001.

HELI-EXPO ORLANDO 2007 (586) MEMBERS

Orlando proved to be the right place for B47HA to be.

Furnished with an excellent spot by Bell Helicopter in front of a Cobra made the B47HA exhibit a "must stop" for Heli-Expo visitors.

Signing autographs from 11a to 4p to non stop crowds three days were B47HA's spokesmen "The Whirlybirds." Many vendors were amazed at the appeal of the B47HA celebrities. Rhodes stated, "the image we present to members and their families is that the Bell 47 community is a family because of the legacy we have been entrusted to preserve, protect, and promote the Bell 47. When we show an interest in their kids is when we see people who have been standing off to the side come over and tell us their Bell 47 story. We always are thrilled to see a parent who is a Bell 47 pilot or mechanic join B47HA. At this show I noticed that we had more interest than ever in the vision to manufacture a NEW Bell 47!"

On hand was maintenance chief & head funny man Neal Toler to address technical concerns. Operators Kevin Rattey & John Ryan helped out to discuss specific Bell 47 flight questions. Mark Hrutkay and Robert Horner helped with the show also. Rhodes was pleased to be with many different international members such as Volker Grasberger of Germany, Erik Busse of Belgium, and Tom Jarlinge of Sweden. Special thanks to the Hertelendys of HAC, Tal Kennedy, Guillermo Carabajel, Scott Churchhill, and Doug Kitzmiller for coming by. Museum owner Dan Haynes was also present with good news on their progress at Pidgeon Forge, TN. Special thanks to Bill Shrum of Tamaroa, IL. for donating a display Bell 47 model to the association - to which Toler took into immediate protective custody.

President Joey Rhodes stated, "this was an important venue for B47HA. Our meetings with BHT and insurance execs addressed many issues in our mutual interests." Rhodes spoke to HAI Affiliates at a special conference held Saturday. His main points were the purpose and focus of B47HA to preserve, protect, and promote the Bell 47.

President Rhodes and the exec board met to discuss member disciplinary issues, positive finances, favorable CPA & Tax reports, and future public relation plans with the Larry Bell Museum in Mentone, IN. Rhodes reported on the recent roster update and reported that he was pleased that all members on the roster are in good standing at this time.

HELI-EXPO DALLAS, TX. 2006 (553) MEMBERS

THANKS TO BHT, THE HAI HELI- EXPO FOR B47HA WAS A HUGE SUCCESS. BHT'S G4A PRISTINE HELICOPTER WAS THE STAR OF THE SHOW AND LONG LINES CAME INTO THE B47HA AREA. AGAIN RIVAL MANUFACTURERS SCRATCH THEIR HEADS IN AMAZEMENT AS THE WHIRLYBIRDS "JOEY & DANNY" SIGNED AUTOGRAPHED POSTERS AND FELLOW B47HA MEMBERS LIKE NEAL TOLER SHARED THEIR TECHNICAL EXPERTISE. SATURDAY NIGHT B47HA WAS INVITED OUT TO BHT'S NEW CUSTOMER SUPPORT SERVICE CENTER AT ALLIANCE FOR A MEGA TEXAS BAR B-QUE. ENTERTAINMENT WAS PROVIDED BY COUNTRY SUPER STAR AARON TIPPIN.

THE B47HA DISPLAY SAW MANY VISITORS. ONE OF THE SPECIAL PEOPLE TO PAY HOMAGE TO THE 47 WAS RUSTY WALLACE. RUSTY'S 427 SAT NEXT TO THE 47 AND IT WAS QUITE A COMPARISON. MANY NEW MEMBERS SIGNED UP AND RENEWALS WERE NUMEROUS. THE CAVANAUGH FLIGHT MUSEUM HAS INDICATED THEIR DESIRE TO BECOME A GOLD MEMBER. CURRENTLY NEAL IS WORKING WITH DOUG JEANES OF THE THE FLIGHT CENTER TO GET A G2A1 INTO MASH CONFIGURATION FOR FUTURE SHOWS.

SPECIAL GUEST VISITING THE BOOTH WERE DALLAS AVIATION POLICE UNIT OFFICERS, THOMAS JARLINGE OF SWEDEN, GUILLERMO CARABAJEL OF CAV AIR, AND MANY OTHER B47HA MEMBERS.

IT WAS ANNOUNCED THAT GIFTON McCREARY AND BOB HARNESS HAVE BEEN NOMINATED TO THE 2006 B47HA HALL OF FAME.

JOEY WOULD LIKE TO THANK BHT, DANNY RODRIGUEZ, & NEAL TOLER FOR MAKING THE SHOW A SUCCESS.

HELI-EXPO ANAHEIM, CA. 2005 (502 MEMBERS)

HAI ABSOLUTE SUCCESS

THE GIRLS FROM ROLLS ROYCE STOP BY

GOOD NEWS!!!! ONCE AGAIN BELL HELICOPTER EXTENDED AN INVITATION FOR B47HA TO BE PART OF THE HAI HELI-EXPO HELD IN SUNNY CALIFORNIA FEB 6-7-8TH BELL FAMILY DISPLAY . SPECIAL THANKS TO DON MAGUIRE, CAREY BOND, & PAT BUTLER OF BHT FOR HELPING MAKE THIS HAPPEN. PRESIDENT RHODES & VICE PRESIDENT RODRIGUEZ ATTENDED AND WERE POSITIONED IN FRONT OF NASCAR'S RUSTY WALLACE'S NEW BELL 427. RHODES ANNOUNCED THAT DON MAGUIRE HAS BEEN NOMINATED AS OUR 2005 BELL 47 HALL OF FAME INDUCTEE. BELL PRESIDENT MIKE "RED" REDENBAUGH PAID A VISIT ON B47HA AND SAID TO JOEY AND DANNY "YOU GUYS DO A GREAT JOB OF REPRESENTING OUR FAMILY AND WE THANK YOU." B47HA'S GOAL WAS TO REACH 500 MEMBERS AT THIS EVENT AND FORT LAUDERDALE'S GUILLERMO CARABAJAL OF CAVAIR WAS HONORED WITH MEMBERSHIP #500 . RHODES AND RODRIGUEZ SHARED LAW ENFORCEMENT STORIES WITH LOS ANGELES AIR DIVISION COMMANDERS .

AFTER CONFERRING WITH MANY MEMBERS IT WAS DECIDED TO CHANGE OUR DUES AND ROSTER. MANY MEMBERS ON THE WEST COAST AND AT BHT HAVE ASKED B47HA TO HOST ANOTHER WEST COAST B47HA FLY IN. RHODES ANNOUNCE THAT HE WAS IN FAVOR OF THE EVENT AND HE AND DANNY WILL BEGIN PLANNING.

SPECIAL THANKS TO STEVE JONES #195 FOR THE USE OF HIS N975B BELL 47 MODEL