This year’s Joe Mashman Safety Award goes to Captain Paul Smith who is being honored posthumously. Smith was a longtime HAI member and a former president of the Eastern Region Helicopter Council (ERHC). He also served as HAI’s Safety Committee chairman. Smith was very active in HAI safety programs throughout his aviation career. An electronic newsgathering line pilot for Helicopters Inc., he served as the organization’s safety manager. Smith had been an institution on the New York helicopter scene for more than 25 years. Smith died on October 7, 2007 in Manhattan when an out of control taxicab ran up onto a crowded sidewalk, struck and killed him, while also seriously injuring his wife and other members of the Smith family as they were leaving a Midtown restaurant. Smith was 60. At the time of his death, he was the pilot for the WABC-TV News Copter. In his news chopper, Smith covered many major news stories, including the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center. He will be honored at HELI-EXPO 2008’s annual “Salute to Excellence” Awards Banquet on February 25, 2008 at 8:00 p.m. in Houston Texas.