Hidden Agenda
17th Nov 2005, 04:05
I see that the recipients of the “Salute to Excellence Awards” have been announced. I would like to offer my congratulations to those recognised by the Helicopter Association International for their outstanding service.
Once again the HAI has only made awards to those based in North America. It may well be just a reflection on the dominance of the North American market, or an indication that the international members are not active enough to nominate worthy candidates or perhaps it could be just further evidence that the “I” in HAI is invisible.
I find it hard to understand that the judges assessed the work done in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina as demonstrating the value of civil rotorcraft to society (by saving lives, protecting property, and aiding those in distress) as of greater value than the work done by civil rotorcraft in the aftermath of the Asian Tsunami. I therefore feel that the HAI is perhaps playing to the “home crowd” in awarding ‘The Igor Sikorsky Award for Humanitarian Service’.
Once again the HAI has only made awards to those based in North America. It may well be just a reflection on the dominance of the North American market, or an indication that the international members are not active enough to nominate worthy candidates or perhaps it could be just further evidence that the “I” in HAI is invisible.
I find it hard to understand that the judges assessed the work done in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina as demonstrating the value of civil rotorcraft to society (by saving lives, protecting property, and aiding those in distress) as of greater value than the work done by civil rotorcraft in the aftermath of the Asian Tsunami. I therefore feel that the HAI is perhaps playing to the “home crowd” in awarding ‘The Igor Sikorsky Award for Humanitarian Service’.