Since 1986 Harry Weisberger has been a contributor to Aviation International News and a regular member of its HAI and NBAA convention news editorial staff. He was previously a marketing communications specialist for Sperry Flight Systems in Phoenix, providing information involving the general aviation, airline, defense and space market segments. His aviation journalism activity has also included writing and editing for Flight Training, Business Aviation Safety Journal, Private Pilot and Arizona Flyways (for whom he interviewed Barry Goldwater and Paul Tibbets. He has also contributed to Smithsonian Air &amp; Space and Aero magazines. He served 5-1/2 years on active duty with the U.S. Navy as a radar intercept officer in F4 Phantom jet fighters, followed by Naval Air Reserve duty as a patrol plane navigator. Weisberger’s journalism career began at the Santa Ana Register (now Orange County Register) where he was a beat reporter and copy desk editor. He holds a commercial pilot license with instrument rating, has logged 1,980 pilot hours and has owned or been a partner in five general aviation aircraft.

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Harry Weisberger

Erickson (Booth 9251) has signed new deals for an additional Aircrane heli-tanker in Australia and another for timber harvesting operations in Canada.
Erickson’s Australian partner Kestrel Aviation signed up for a third S64E Aircrane to support firefighting efforts in Victoria state. Erickson has six Aircranes currently working in Australia. “We are proud to help protect the lives and homes of Victoria’s residents during the peak of their fire season,” said Andy Mills, Erickson v-p of commercial aviation services. “Our crews have already been busy fighting fires in Western Australia and New South Wales.” The third Aircrane, previously stationed in Sydney, New South Wales to fight fires, has been reassigned to Mangalore, Victoria where it remains available as required for the remainder of the fire season.
The S64 Aircrane heli-tanker can hold and drop 2,650 gallons of water on fires in a single pass. Specialized snorkels enable the Aircrane to also refill the tank in nearby bodies of water in less than 30 seconds.
Columbia Helicopters (Booth 10337) subsidiary Helifor Canada renewed its contract with Erickson for year-round services using an Aircrane for aerial timber harvesting in British Columbia and western Canada. This is the fifth time that Helifor has renewed its contract with Erickson, and the contract lasts until Dec. 31, 2016. Erickson is providing pilots, field maintenance support crews, parts and components. The contract also includes an option to add another Aircrane.
“Erickson has operated in Canada for more than 30 years,” said Mills. “Aerial timber harvesting is where we began as a company, and we are pleased to continue that tradition with Helifor.”

News and issues regarding all manner of civil and military rotorcraft and their powerplants, including helicopters, tilt rotors and unmanned air vehicles.

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