The Eric Brown Award
The 'Eric Brown Award' was established by the British Helicopter Advisory Board (the former name of the BHA) Council of Management in recognition of the outstanding service given by Captain E.M. Brown CBE, DSC, AFC, MA, FRAeS, RN (Ret'd) to the helicopter industry while he was Chief Executive of the BHAB from 1968 until 1987.
The Award is made annually by the BHA to the individual whom it is considered has made a most significant contribution towards the helicopter industry.
Anyone in the industry is elligible for the Award and it can cover the widest possible range of activities. For Example, outstanding test flying, operational flying, engineering achievements, inventions and innovations, or indeed any other aspect which involves the helicopter industry. The Eric Brown Award is in the form of a trophy which is held by the winner for twelve months until it is awarded again the following year. In addition, each recipient receives a memento to mark the occasion.
Captain Steve West-Oram
The Eric Brown Award for 2009 was given to Captain Steve West-Oram of Bond Air Services in recognition of his lifetime contribution to our industry.
The award was presented by Chairman Brian Humphries to Mr Peter Bond, Group Chairman Bond Air services who represented Steve on this occasion at the annual BHA Dinner.
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Captain Gary Spender
 Gary is a commercial pilot and IT specialist. He had become increasingly concerned by the number of fatal helicopter accidents in recent years, and the apparent link with inexperience in some cases. In January 2008, Gary launched an internet based initiative that sought to organise regional safety events where helicopter pilots of any qualification might meet to discuss safety issues and to learn from others' mistakes.
The meetings were an immediate success. Attendees included student and qualified pilots, engineers, controllers and the CAA. Gary is supported by a small team of qualified pilot at these regional meetings that are both informal and social. Gary has conducted his own research into helicopter accidents, and the results are available for all to see on his excellent website www.helicoptersafety.org
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Captain Robin Renton
The Eric Brown Award for 2007 was awarded to Captain Robin Renton for his work on the creation and design of the BHAB Chief Pilots course.
The course is run jointly by the CAA and the BHA in response to concerns that the rotorcraft industry did not always possess the scale of infrastructure necessary to generate Chief Pilot candidates with sufficient background knowledge for this fundamental post-holder role. Robin worked dilligently in his won time to create s syllabus and the set of detailed notes that would enable any suitably experienced industry professional to present aspects of the course. This course has received both national and international recognition for the value of its safety related benfits and has relevance not just to Chief Pilots, but to Accountable Managers too.
Robin has a deep knowledge and understanding of the role of the chief pilot gained during his thirteen thousand flying hours, initially with the Royal Navy and later flying in support of the offshore oil and gas industry both at home and abroad. Now, as Chief Pilot for Air Harrods, has distilled this experience into a course that is almost obligatory, and is populated by both aspiring and current chief pilots. Robin is a staunch supporter of the BHAB and works tirelessly as an industry representative and as the Chairman of the Onshore Committee, much of this in his spare time. |
Michael Wheatley
The Eric Brown Award for 2006 was awarded to Michael Wheatley, who was a leading light in the helicopter industry for almost 30 years. He became sales manager for Air Hanson Ltd. at Brookland Aerodrome in 1980 and was a key figure in introducing the then new Sikorsky S76 to the corporate market. In 1987 Michael set up his own highly succesful sales company; Michael Wheatley Helicopters, where he put his outstanding technical and operational knowledge and superb personal qualities to very good use.
He represented the helicopter industry on various committees, including the BHAB and General Aviation Manufacturers and Traders Association (now the BBGA). He took a leading role in the support advisory services to the UK police and ambulance authorities, and also to leading financial institutions. Michael was a credit to the UK's helicopter industry for more than quarter od a century and he supported its causes with balance, clarity and common sense.
Unfortunately, shortly after receiving this reward, Michael passed away, but his reputation for confidentiality and honesty will serve as a beacon and a fine example to everyone in the helicopter industry.
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Captain James Lyons
The Eric Brown Award 2005 was awarded to Captain Jim Lyons. Jim has worked tirelessly for many years to improve helicopter standards and safety and has worked for both the Civil Aviation Authority and the Joint Aviation Authority. The current NPA 38 document is a summary of and tribute to the work of Jim and many others over the years, and its incorporation into JAR-OPS 3, and eventually EASA-OPS, will be of enormous benefit to the industry in terms of practical regulation and safety. Jim's influence extends far beyond the UK and in Europe in respect of his PC2e concept, which, once adopted, provides effective single engine accountability throughout the flight regime, including in the traditional exposure periods during take-off and landings from an elevated helideck. Since his retirement, he has continued to support the industry with his involvement in standards development.
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Lord Glenarthur
The Eric Brown Award for 2004 was awarded to Lord Glenarthur, who retired as the BHAB chairman at the 2004 AGM, and became the BHAB's first president. Lord Glenarthur has played a key role in raising the profile and importance of helicopter operations, not just in the UK, but throughout the world. He was the chairman of the British Helicopter Advisory Board for over 12 years, and Chairman of the European Helicopter Association for almost 10 years. He was instrumental in establishing the International Federation of Helicopter Associations, of which he was both Chairman and Deputy Chairman. In the UK, Lord Glenarthur has helped implement a number of initiatives, without which helicopter operations would be less well developed, less safety conscious, and less environmentally responsible. The industry owes him a great deal.
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Captain Nick Norman
Captain Nick Norman was awarded the trophy in November 2003 in recognition of his work on a trial Helicopter Operations Monitoring Programme on Flight Data Monitoring. The trial, which began in early 1999, was initiated and funded by the CAA and Shell Aircraft. It began by analysing data from 5 AS332L's and the success of the first year of the trial resulted in further funding being made available. By the third year, the United Kingdom Offshore Operators Assocation (UKOOA) decided that the safety benefits apparent from the trial were worth pursuing and agreed to fund full implementation of HOMP on all North Sea oil support helicopters.
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