Oceanside, CA, March 3, 2011 — DART Helicopter Services, a world leader in the design, development and distribution of more than 3,500 helicopter components and accessories that enhance flight safety, operational efficiency and customer satisfaction, has announced a change in the company’s leadership. Additionally, Jeff Shapiro and Ron Gladnick have sold their investment interest in the business to DART’s existing shareholders.

Mike O’Reilly, President of Eagle Copters, Ltd., in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, has succeeded Jeff Shapiro as DART’s President and CEO. Shapiro will continue to work with DART in an advisory and transition capacity. O’Reilly will remain with Eagle Copters in addition to assuming his new responsibilities at DART. Steve Joseph will continue to serve as DART’s Chief Operating Officer.

“Looking back at what these guys have accomplished is remarkable,” said O’Reilly.  “Jeff and Ron have truly left a positive mark on this industry, and our catalogue speaks volumes.”

“We all thank Jeff for his vision, commitment to excellence and consistent hard work, and wish him the best in his retirement,” said O’Reilly. “He led DART Helicopter Services to become a global presence in the helicopter aftermarket industry in a very short time, and we intend to follow his founding principles by expanding our markets, increasing our product lines and improving our comprehensive technical capabilities and customer support services in the future, just as DART has done for the last decade under Jeff’s outstanding leadership.  Our focus will always be on product excellence and customer satisfaction that Jeff emphasized so completely.”

“Ron, the founder of Apical, also deserves credit that’s hard to put into words,” continued O’Reilly.  “His entrepreneurial vision has given us many of the unique products that have revolutionized helicopter emergency floatation systems, systems that have helped make DHS the successful company that it is today.”

Shapiro and Gladnick will be in the DART exhibit during Heli-Expo to wish all their friends a farewell.  Customers, media representatives and other visitors are welcome to visit the DART Helicopter Services exhibit, No. 4628, at Heli-Expo 2011 in the Orange County Convention Center, Orlando, Fla., March 6-8.

About DART Helicopter Services
DART Helicopter Services LLC., has set a global standard for developing, producing and distributing outstanding helicopter accessories and components that improve rotary wing fleet operations. Headquartered in California, the company and its sales, marketing and service associates operate a worldwide network from many strategic locations serving more than 120 nations on six continents. DART has become the world’s largest rotorcraft accessory provider in just five years, offering more than 3,500 helicopter aftermarket products that improve rotorcraft safety, efficiency and reliability. The company also manufactures 600 components, and its network owns more than 600 Supplemental Type Certificates and 50 U.S. patents.  Learn more about DART at www.darthelicopterservices.com