HAI is proud to announce the 2009 Aviation Maintenance Technician Award recipient, David Vogel; Senior Technical Representative, American Eurocopter, Grand Prairie, Texas.

Vogel has 32 years of professional experience in the rotorcraft industry. A graduate of the Aviation Maintenance & Technology School in Pennsylvania, Vogel also studied at Vo-Tech school before acquiring his airframe and powerplant license in 1974, his inspection authorization license in 1986, and his general radiotelephone operator license in 1996.

Vogel went to work at Carson Helicopters in 1974, where he was responsible for field maintenance on the company's S-55, S-58, and S-61 helicopters. While there he obtained heavy sheet metal experience rebuilding S-58s and S-61s, and also completed kit conversions of the S-58 to the turbine-powered S-58T.

In 1983, Vogel moved to MBB Helicopter Corp. (MHC) as Completion/Fabrication Lead, responsible for completion work on medical and paramilitary helicopters. He also managed MHC's sheet metal back shop and floor installation team. During his eleven years with MHC, Vogel performed work on the BO105CBS, BO105LSA-3, and BK 117 A3 through B2. He also designed a LOX system for Hermann Hospital's BK117s in 1986, completing all drawings associated with the installation.

Since 1992, Vogel has been working for American Eurocopter, initially as Completion Lead. In 1996, he was appointed Senior Technical Support Engineer, responsible for undertaking retrofit programs and providing support to American Eurocopter's 600 customers and 17 field representatives. In this role, he is also closely involved with the creation and implementation of Service Bulletins and Alert Service Bulletins, as well as drafting damage reports, coordinating Master Minimum Equipment Lists, and providing training to American Eurocopter employees and customers. Vogel has also been closely involved with the U.S. Army's UH-72A Lakota Light Utility Helicopter program, including kit installations and structural damage assessment, and in supporting the successful UH-145 bid and "fly-off."

All winners will be recognized at HELI-EXPO 2009's annual "Salute to Excellence" Awards Banquet on February 23, 2009 at 8:00 p.m. in Anaheim, California. For more information about the 2009 "Salute to Excellence" Awards Banquet, contact HAI's Communications Department at 703-683-4646, fax: 703-683-4745, or email: rotor@rotor.com. For more information on HELI-EXPO 2009, visit www.heliexpo.com.

HAI is a professional trade association representing 2,800 plus members, in 74 nations, who safely operate more than 5,000 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.