David Douglas, son of Lee Douglas, and internationally recognized helicopter pioneer, was seeking a way for his family to honor and memorialize the life of their father.  He contacted the American Helicopter Museum and Education Center about opportunities to establish a lasting tribute and upon review of the museum’s expansion plans, realized that he has stumbled onto a unique opportunity.  The museum’s plan to add a Pioneer Hall  outlined in the capital campaign consisting of special classrooms and exhibits focused on the life and times of helicopter pioneers was the perfect venue for recognizing his father’s lifetime of rotary wing engineering accomplishments.  Reminiscent of his father, Dave took the reins to spearhead an initiative to raise awareness and funds for the new Pioneer Hall.

The “Helicopter Families” campaign recognizes that history has known few more inventive minds than those responsible for the helicopter, mankind’s most versatile flying machine.  Since its invention, helicopter are credited with saving millions of lives and serving mankind in a multitude of ways.  The people who have contributed to the evolution of the helicopter including scientists, engineers, pilots and mechanics are as unique and special as the aircraft themselves.  Helicopter people are part of a family that can trace their roots all the way back to Leonardo DaVinci who contemplated a helical airscrew inspiring future generations of rotary-wing innovators.

The Helicopter Families Campaign offers opportunities t designate major architectural features in the name of a family member.  Our “Helicopter Families” campaign will capture, preserve and protect the life stories, records and artifacts of those who committed significant portions of their lives to rotary wing aviation.  “I recognized that no other institution in the U.S. is better postured to offer this important service to the families of helicopter pioneers,” says Dave.   Wall ad floor space in a new wing is being reserved specifically for displaying story boards and exhibits and dedicated to honorees and their families.  At higher contribution levels, the program provides for a museum historian and exhibit designer to work with the donor to design a fitting tribute and provides for an opening ceremony for friends and family.

Recognizing a range of giving options, the Helicopter Families program also offers alternatives for recognition on a bronze memorial plaque to be prominently featured in the museum.  For more information on this unique program, contact Dave* through the museum’s Development Office.

–Bob Beggs, retired Chairman of the Board
ARTICLE REPRINTED from VERTIKA, Newsletter For The American Helicopter Museum and Education Center,  FALL 2010

“The Pioneer Hall Helicopter Families Campaign ended in 2012. Chair, David Douglas was successful in leading the Campaign to it’s $200,000 goal in record time with a significant portion of the funds coming from the Douglas Family. The project has been completed and the Lee Douglas Pioneer Hall at the American Helicopter Museum was completed in 2016. It stands as testament to David’s passion and commitment to honor his father, Lee Douglas, and to contribute to the success of the museum that preserves the history of helicopters that was so important to his father.”

 – Sarah Sands, American Helicopter Museum Director.

*Note: David Douglas passed away in April 2016