Social helicopter pilot group, Twirly Birds has named Roy Simmons as the 2014 Les Morris Award recipient.
Simmons’ contributions to the helicopter business began over 50 years ago as a U.S. Marine Corps aviator and later extended to a career with Columbia Helicopters that lasted 33 years, eventually retiring as president of the company in 1999.
Simmons was chief pilot, FAA pilot examiner, director of operations, vice president of flight operations, executive vice president, and finally succeeding Columbia’s founder, Wes Lematta, as president in 1992. Additionally, he served as the Chairman of the Board of the Helicopter Association International (HAI) in 2004 after being a longtime board member of the organization.
The Les Morris Award signifies the pioneering spirit of Twirly Birds and the award is reserved for members that have made an exemplary contribution to the helicopter community over their lifetime.
Twirly Birds is an international organization founded in by pioneering pilots of helicopters and other vertical takeoff 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 takeoff aircraft art progresses. For more information: TwirlyBirds.org.