About

Helicopter Foundation International (HFI) is a tax-exempt charitable organization that preserves and promotes the rich heritage of vertical aviation, while supporting the next generation of pilots and technicians.

Tax-Exempt Charity

As the charitable arm of Helicopter Association International, HFI provides funding for programs that membership dues alone cannot fully support. HFI is a 501(c)(3) organization (federal tax ID # 52-1297129). Your donations are tax deductible to the extent permitted by law.

Leadership

The HFI Board of Directors is a group of men and women who have spent a lifetime in the helicopter industry and who are passionate about its history and its future. HFI also benefits from another type of leader, our patrons: the men and women who generously donate so that HFI can deliver more — more scholarships and education to attract the next generation, a virtual museum of helicopter history, and robust safety programs. We are grateful for the support of all of our leaders.

Programs

HFI fields programs in each of its three missions:

  • Education: HFI offers up to 19 scholarships for aviation students, hosts an annual Career Roundtable, and is working to increase awareness of rotorcraft career opportunities
  • Safety: HFI presents more than 100 safety education events each year at HAI HELI-EXPO and also promotes the use of precautionary landings as the best way to break the accident chain
  • Historic Preservation: HFI’s Trailblazers series of print interviews with rotorcraft pioneers offers a glimpse into the beginnings of the helicopter industry, while we work to put the extensive HFI archive of documents and helicopter models online.