Middle East's biggest helicopter show opens today

DUBAI HELISHOW 2008, the Middle East region's biggest trade show for the helicopter industry, is all set to welcome visitors from around the world, from 11th to 13th of November 2008. The 3-day high profile biennial show is its 3rd edition and will present the latest civil and military helicopter technologies and operations.

Held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of UAE, and Ruler of Dubai, the exclusive show is hosted by Mediac Communications & Exhibitions LLC at the East Hall, Airport Expo Centre, Dubai, UAE.

The interesting part is that the show will feature indoor exhibits, static aircraft displays, and flight demonstrations.

When compared to the previous editions, this year's show has already generated an unprecedented turnout in terms of exhibitors.

Exhibitor profile of DUBAI HELISHOW 2008

Over 130 exhibitors from around the world have already confirmed their presence in this year's show. The helicopter and the associated sectors as well as government bodies in the UAE has an impressive presence in the show. The participants from the UAE include Abu Dhabi Aviation, Abu Dhabi Police GHQ Air Wing, Academy of Technical Training, Aerogulf, Airfreight Aviation Ltd, Al Jundi Journal, Alpha Tours, Arabian Travel News, ART Marine LLC, Aviation Business Middle East, Aviation City (World Central), Aviator & Aviation, Avicorp Middle East, Bardawil Aviation, Daribni Technical Training, Dubai Ministry of Defence, Emirates-CAE Flight Training, Falcon Aviation,Fighter Gifts, Gulf Aviation Guide/Media One Group, Hawker Pacific Air Services, Hawker Pacific Hydraulics, Heli Dubai, Horizon International Training Academy, ITP, Meetings in Industry Middle East, Mid East Flyer, Nation Shield UAE Armed Forces, Palm Aviation, RBI Hawker, Schauff Helicopter Services Middle East, TRAKS PRO, UAE Air Force (Al Jundi) and Uniteam.

Some of the leading global participants include: Access Intelligence, Aerospace Filtration Systems Inc, Air Technology Engines Inc, Apical Industries Inc, Bell Helicopter, Boeing Company, Breeze-Eastern, Bristow Academy, Canam Aerospace Inc, Daribni Technical Training, Dart Aerospace Ltd, Devore Aviation, Evergreen Helicopters Inc, FEC Heliports, Geneva Aviation, Goodrich Corporation, Helicopter Association International, Honeywell, International Medical & Rescue (IMR), Kaman, LifePort, MD Helicopters, Nordam, Onboard Systems, Precision Fuel Components, Priority 1 Air Rescue Services, Rotor & Wing, Schweizer Aircraft Corporation, Sikorsky, Simplex Manufacturing Company, SRT Helicopters, Symetrics Industries, LLC and Tulsa Turbine Engines & Aricraft LLC, all from the USA.

AgustaWestland, Arab Defence Journal, Bristow Technical Services, Case File TV, cueSim Ltd, CurtissWright Controls, Drallim Industries Ltd, Flight - HeliCAS, Helicopter Life Magazine, Helicopter Monthly, HR Smith Group of Companies, Penny & Giles Aerospace Ltd, Police Aviation News (PAN), Powervamp, REDBOX International, Rockwell Collins, Shephard Group, Sloane Helicopters, Specialist Aviation Services, TLC Handling, Touch Aviation and Vislink Group from the UK.

Aerosimulators from Belgium. Air Ambulance Technology, GENA Systems from Austria. Bayards Aluminium Constructies BV from the Netherlands. Becker (Display), Becker Flugfunkwerk GmbH and Euroavionics from Germany.

CMC Electronics an Esterline company, Dart Helicopter Services, Guardian Mobility, Heli-Lynx Helicopters, Mark Mennie, Omge Transport Medicine, Pratt & Whitney, Wescam/L3-Communications from Canada.

Erickson Air-Crane (ICSS) from Greece. SP Guide Publications from India. Heli Ops & Heli Tac from New Zealand.

Eurocopter, Helicoptere Business & Loisirs, Pall Corporation, Satcom System, Transaco from France.

Transcon Electronic Systems from Czech Republic. ITP Group (Industria de Turbo Propulsores) from Spain. John Cameron Aviation, Vibrotech Aviation - Aces Systems from Australia.

HeliRussia, Kamov, Kazan Helicopters, Mil Moscow Helicopter Plant, Russian Helicopters JSC, Ulan-Ude Aviation Plant, Vertolet Publishing from Russia.

RFD Beaufort from Northern Ireland. Saudi HEMS from Saudi Arabia. Defence & Aviation Magazine and Gulf Helicopters from the Middle East.

The 3-day show is expected to attract senior level buyers and business visitors from various sectors like Academia, Armed Forces, Commercial Operators, Defense, Emergency Services, Government Agencies, Maintainers and Private Buyers.

Launch of Dubai Air Medical & Rescue Show 2008

DUBAI HELISHOW 2008 will also set the stage for the launch of the much-awaited Dubai Air Medical & Rescue Show 2008 - a specialist exhibition which will be held alongside Dubai Helishow 2008 and will bring the spotlight on air ambulance, air rescue, air evacuation and other medical transport services in the Middle East Region.

Furthermore, a one day Aero-Med Conference has been organized on 11th November as part of the Dubai Air Medical & Rescue Show 2008 to introduce new concepts in transport medicine, patient air transportation, aero-medical systems, operational & clinical practices to the region.

Introduction of Middle East Helicopter Association (MEHA)

DUBAI HELISHOW 2008 will also give shape to the first-ever helicopter association in the region - Middle East Helicopter Association (MEHA). MEHA is all set to be a platform which will focus on the development of a highly professional and safety conscious industry and will promote heliport development, operational efficiency and economic viability in the region.

DUBAI HELISHOW 2008 features IHST Conference

With the aim to reduce helicopter accident rate by 80% in the next 10 years, Dubai Helishow 2008 will also include a conference that is an initiative of the IHST Dubai as part of its regional program agenda to develop mitigation strategies to bring down military and civil accident rates. The objectives of the one day conference that will be held on the 12th of November is to increase awareness of IHST goals, identify the need for regional change in helicopter safety, and provide an overview of risk reduction measures and identifying regional leaders for JHSAT.

The DUBAI HELISHOW in a very short span of time has recorded an exponential growth in the world's most happening market for helicopters and its allied sectors. In fact, Mediac Communications & Exhibitions LLC has created a pioneering concept that has become the region's premier show for the helicopter industry.

Speaking on the final days leading to the most magnificent show, Ms. Maysoon A Abuhoul, Deputy Managing Director, Mediac Communications & Exhibitions LLC added "Dubai Helishow 2008 is literally round the corner. With all the massive preparations in place, the exhibitors are already upbeat about this year's show and we expect a bigger audience than the previous editions. And the launch of Dubai Air Medical & Rescue Show, Middle East Helicopter Association (MEHA) and International Helicopter Safety Symposium will make it all the more significant ."