Delve into the history of vertical flight at our helicopter history website or help contribute to our biography database of pioneers and leaders.
Check out a group photo or review the program from the First Annual Dinner of the American Helicopter Society, October 7, 1944 in New York City. (Click on each image for a high resolution close-up.) You may recognize some of the pioneers!
Officers:
Charles L. (Les) Morris (Sikorsky), President of AHS
James A.J. Bennett (Cierva), Vice-President of AHS
Prof. Igor A. Sikorsky (Sikorsky), AHS Technical Committee Chairman
First Honorary Fellowships:
COL H. Franklin Gregory (Army Air Corps)
Igor I. Sikorsky (Sikorsky)
This program was also signed by other founding pioneers:
Ralph P. Alex (Sikorsky), Founding President of AHS
Arthur M. Young (Bell)
CAPT William J. Kossler (USCG)
W. Laurence LePage (Platt-LePage)*
Frank A. Tichenor (Aero Digest)
Wg Cdr Reggie Brie (RAF)
* misprinted as "W. Lawrence Le Page" in the program
Forum History
Want to know where we've been for the past 68 years? Did you know the AHS Forum was held in Washington, D.C. for 31 of our first 36 years? Check out our complete listing of AHS Forums!