January 31, 2007
Alexandria, Va., January 31, 2007- HAI is pleased to announce this year's Agusta Community Service Award recipient, the New York City Police Department Aviation Unit. Since 1929, the NYPD Aviation Unit has provided airborne support and rescue, protecting life and property in the City of New York.
On January 2, 2006, a four-seat single-engine airplane crash-landed into the Hudson River. The two men were in the water for 10-15 minutes. The first pilot was scooped up by a rescue basket and the rescue crew chiefs began to administer first aid while flying him to Jacobi Hospital. The United States Coast Guard (USCG) spotted the second pilot and hoisted him into their aircraft.
Six months later, on July 5, 2006, the NYPD Aviation Unit responded to another call about a female body floating in the Harlem River. The victim was too exhausted to grab the floatation device. One crewmember stepped out onto the landing skid tube and grabbed the female while another crewmember maneuvered the aircraft. Five feet from shoreline, officers determined they could not get any closer due to debris and the danger of losing the female. One of the crewmembers jumped into the water and swam the woman to shore. The New York Daily News named these crewmembers as “heroes of the month.”
This year, the NYPD Aviation Unit logged 4,000 flight hours, completed over 9,900 assignments, and 593 Air Sea Rescues, including the rescue of a windsurfer. They routinely make courageous rescues at great personal risks. Their professionalism, devotion to duty, and community service is an inspiration to all.
All winners will be recognized at HELI-EXPO 2007's annual “Salute to Excellence” Awards Celebration on March 2, 2007 at 8:00 p.m. in Orlando, Florida. For more information about the 2007 “Salute to Excellence” Awards Celebration, contact HAI's Communications Department at 703-683-4646, fax: 703-683-4745, or email: rotor@rotor.com . For more information on HELI-EXPO 2007, visit www.heliexpo.com .
HAI is the professional trade association the for international helicopter industry. HAI's 1,350-plus-member organizations and 1,150 individual members, in more than 73 nations, safely operate more than 4,500 helicopters approximately 2.3 million hours each year. HAI is dedicated to the promotion of the helicopter as a safe, effective method of commerce and to the advancement of the international helicopter community.