In another in the series of reports from last week’s HAI Heli-Expo in Dallas today we have 17 photos of a small portion of the 590 exhibitors that were at the event in the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center.
Earlier, in Volume 1 and Volume 2, we had photos of the helicopters and interviews with a few of the exhibitors. In a day or two we will feature some of the best items that were being given away to the attendees.
Kawak Van Horn Aviation Bluedrop Hoist Training Helitak
We continue to wrap up information and photos from the HAI Heli-Expo in Dallas this week. The event in the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center in downtown Dallas hosted under their roof 590 exhibitors, more than 40 helicopters, and about 13,000 attendees from 72 countries.
Yesterday we posted 16 photos of helicopters, and today we have another 16. In the coming days we will post more showing the exhibitors, and finally some of the best items that were being given away to the attendees.
Bell 429 Sikorsky S-92A Airbus EC 130 Seeker drone
A few of the helicopters at the HAI Heli-Expo in Dallas, March 8 – 9, 2022.
The HAI Heli-Expo in Dallas this week has drawn to a close. The huge convention center downtown hosted about 13,000 attendees from 72 countries, 590 exhibitors, and more than 40 helicopters under its roof.
The show featured the latest aircraft, engines, avionics, and other goods and services for rotorcraft and uncrewed aircraft.
Last year the Heli-Expo scheduled to be in New Orleans was cancelled due to COVID. The one before that in Anaheim, California across the street from Disneyland occurred at the end of January, 2020 just as COVID cases were starting to appear in California and other states.
Next year the event will be held in Atlanta at the Georgia World Congress Center, March 6–9, with exhibits open March 7–9.
Below is a gallery of 15 photos, just of the helicopters. On March 12 we will have another gallery with 16 additional images of helicopters. Following that we’ll have more showing the exhibitors, and finally some of the best items that were being given away to the attendees.
Eurocopter EC 225 LP Blackhawk Two Bell 505s Bell 407
Ryan Spilchen of SEI Industries explains the intricacies of one model of the Bambi Bucket.
At the HAI HELI-EXPO in Dallas today I talked with some exhibitors and shot video, covering the intricacies and the mechanics of one model of the Bambi Bucket, the philanthropic aviation organization that conducts search and rescue missions, a moving transparent model of a Pratt & Whitney turboprop aircraft engine, and a helicopter tug that is operated completely by remote control.
The exhibits at the annual extravaganza hosted by the Helicopter Association International (HAI) will wrap up Thursday, March 10.
Here is a second batch of photos of helicopters flying in to the HAI Heli-Expo in Dallas. The first batch was from March 4, 2022; these were taken March 5. That link also has more details about the event.
HAI fly in March 5, 2022. HAI photo. HAI fly in March 5, 2022. HAI photo. HAI fly in March 5, 2022. HAI photo. HAI fly in March 5, 2022. HAI photo. Crew at HAI fly in March 5, 2022. HAI photo.
Helicopter fly in at HAI Heli-Expo, March 4, 2022. HAI photo.
The annual extravaganza hosted by the Helicopter Association International (HAI) will officially kick off tomorrow, March 8 in Dallas. Helicopters have been flying in to Heli-Expo since March 4 at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center where some of them had main rotors blades removed or wheels attached before they could be moved into the building.
We will get the official figures later, but we estimate that about 250 exhibitors have reserved spots and dozens of helicopters will be on display inside the huge facility.
HAI Heli-Expo, March 7, 2022.
In addition to it being an opportunity for those in the helicopter and aviation industries to show their wares, there are also meetings for working groups and committees as well as professional education and technical briefings from manufacturers. The exhibits are open for three days, Tuesday through Thursday.
Last year Heli-Expo scheduled to be in New Orleans was cancelled due to COVID. The one before that in Anaheim, California across the street from Disneyland occurred at the end of January, 2020 just as COVID cases were starting to appear in California and other states.
Monday night HAI held a welcome reception at the Omni Hotel adjacent to the convention center. As you can see in the photo below it was sponsored by Bell who assisted in providing “southern country fair-themed food” and a DJ. It was billed as occurring at the “Omni Pegasus Lawn and Block”, but a few didn’t realize they would be standing around for hours out of doors and were not dressed accordingly. The temperature was 50 degrees and there was a stiff breeze, so the scattered propane heaters were popular.
HAI Welcome Reception, March 7, 2022
I was standing about 18 inches from one and a young lady walked up and planted herself between me and the heater. As she was holding her hands up to the heat I glanced at her friend who knowingly smiled as I shook my head. Firefighters know that when you’re at a briefing on a cold morning or out on the line during a long frigid night shift you don’t block someone else’s heat at a warming fire or propane heater. Rather than attempt to explain fireline etiquette, I just sighed and got in line again for another cup of southern country fair-themed chili topped with Fritos, chilies, onions, and cheese.
HAI Welcome Reception, March 7, 2022 HAI Welcome Reception, March 7, 2022
These fly in photos were taken March 4, 2022. We will post more tomorrow, from March 5.
Helicopter fly in at HAI Heli-Expo, March 4, 2022. HAI photo.
