World Helicopter Day

[Mick Cullen]

World Helicopter Day for 2021 is on Sunday 15 Aug - just over 70 days away. This is its seventh year.

Local COVID situation varies greatly around the world at the moment. If makes sense where you are and your company/organisation/airfield is keen to hold an open day / open hangar morning / BBQ or similar event to celebrate the day you can get some publicity by submitting the details at World Helicopter Day - Celebrate Vertical Flight! That gets you on the global website and promotion through the day's social media accounts. Nil cost.

I'm not sure where each of you got your first introduction to helicopters which put you onto a path in the industry. For many though it was attending an airshow or open day. This is a chance to invite people in from your local community to show them what you do and allow them to see a helicopter up close - not an everyday opportunity for most people.

World Helicopter Day is a good way to keep the locals onside to remind them of the public good / economic benefit you bring to the area if they are prone to noise complaints. Also a very low cost marketing activity with potential for local media coverage.

Ideas that have worked in previous years
- flight sims, joyflights, face painting, scavenger hunts, Defence recruiting, guest speakers, visiting emergency services / police helicopters, drones, military cadets, super cars, food / coffee vans and fly-in parking for static displays.
- live virtual event
- or something as simple as a BBQ for students

Again, obviously only if makes sense to be holding in-person public events where you are located.

Failing that put it in your calendar and prepare some online content around the #worldhelicopterday hashtag