History

The British Helicopter Advisory Board was formed in January 1969 at the instigation of some leading members of commercial helicopter

Helicopter

A helicopter is a type of rotorcraft in which lift and thrust are supplied by one or more engine-driven rotors. This allows the helicopter to take off and land vertically, to hover, and to fly forwards, backwards, and laterally...

 companies in the UK. They realised that there was no single authoritative voice speaking for the whole helicopter industry similar to organisations which represent other major aviation interests. In November 2008, it changed its name to the British Helicopter Association. There are about 1100 helicopters on the UK civil register. Helicopters have been used more recently in the UK for emergency services.

Structure

The BHA is a non-profit making organisation whose main objective is to promote the use of helicopters throughout the United Kingdom and to bring to the attention of potential users the advantages of owning or chartering a helicopter.

The BHA has a small permanent Secretariat which is based at Fairoaks Airport

Fairoaks Airport

Fairoaks Airport is a private airfield on the edge of the village of Chobham, north of Woking, Surrey. The airport is operated by Fairoaks Airport Ltd, owned by Albermarle Fairoaks Airport Ltd....

 in north-west Surrey.

Past Chairmen have included the 4th Baron Glenarthur

Simon Arthur, 4th Baron Glenarthur

Major Simon Mark Arthur, 4th Baron Glenarthur DL, FCILT, FRAeS is a British peer, pilot and businessman. Having succeeded to his father's titles in 1976, he is one of the ninety hereditary peers elected to remain in the House of Lords after the House of Lords Act 1999, and sits as a...

, who is now President. The current Chairman is Mr B M Humphries.

External links

• British Helicopter Association website