Twirly Birds, a longtime social group comprised primarily of helicopter pilots has announced the nomination of two prospective associate members for 2013. Requirements for nomination as an associate member is an outstanding individual, who is not a rotary wing pilot, but has made a significant contribution to the industry for at least 20 years and have been unanimously approved by the regular Twirly Bird membership.

Mr. Kevin Shields, president of Trans Aero Ltd., and Mr. Martin J. Pociask, vice president and curator for the Helicopter Foundation International will be presented to the general membership as associate members during the annual Twirly Bird meeting in Las Vegas, Nevada, in conjunction with the HAI Heli-Expo.

The Twirly Birds annual meeting will commence at 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday 5 MAR in north meeting room N232 located in the Las Vegas Convention center.

Formed in 1945 by a then fledgling group of early helicopter pilots, Twirly Birds soon became synonymous with early helicopter pioneers and was a way to gather like-minded people to discuss helicopter flying techniques and other related topics of the day. The name given to the group, Twirly Birds, was a nod to the group of early airplane pilots called the The Early Birds of Aviation that was comprised of 598 original aviation pioneers.  Membership in that group was limited to those who had piloted a glider, gas balloon, or airplane prior to December 17, 1916.

Twirly Birds general membership is open to any person that has soloed at least twenty years prior in a helicopter or other vertical lift aircraft in sustained flight that included at least one takeoff and landing. Twirly Birds cordially invites all members and prospective members to attend their annual meeting in Las Vegas.

About Twirly Birds
Twirly Birds is an international organization founded in 1945 by pioneering pilots of helicopters and other vertical take-off aircraft. The sole purpose of this nonprofit organization of individuals is to recognize and foster the fellowship of those brought together by the common bond of vertical flight and to facilitate the cordial exchange of experience and opinions as the helicopter and other vertical take-off aircraft art progresses. For more information regarding the organization or membership categories and qualifications, please visit the Twirly Birds website at www.twirlybirds.org or contact Jim Kettles, membership chairman at tbmembership@yahoo.com