The Flight Safety Foundation has received $1 million from the estate of long-time airport fixed base operator (FBO). A portion of the gift will be used to develop ways to improve the safety of helicopter emergency medical services, while the majority will fund the new Manuel S. Maciel Chair for Aviation Safety Research at the Flight Safety Foundation. “This generous gift from the estate of Mr. Maciel will further advance aviation safety,” commented FSF President and CEO William R. Voss. “The research he has funded will drive safety improvements in helicopter emergency medical services for years to come.  His contribution will help keep people safe on the worst day of their lives.  The research chair funded by Mr. Maciel will ensure that we will always be able to focus resources on the most pressing safety issues.” Maciel, a private pilot and an immigrant from the Azores, was a life-long aviation enthusiast. He owned Manny’s Sonoma Aviation, transforming the small fueling service into a full service FBO serving general aviation in Santa Rosa, CA.