Papillon Grand Canyon Helicopters Chairman Elling Halvorson
garners prestigious honor
Mr. Elling Halvorson,
Chairman, Papillon Grand Canyon Helicopters, Inc., Grand Canyon,
Arizona, is the recipient of Helicopter Association
International’s (HAI) 2004 Lawrence D. Bell Award. This award
will be presented February 7, 2005, at HELI-EXPO in Anaheim (CA),
during HAI’s 44th annual “Salute to Excellence”
awards ceremony.
Halvorson, founder and chairman of Papillon Airways, began his
business career in 1957 as owner of Elling Halvorson, Inc., a
general contracting firm. His first major project was constructing
a two-mile tramway system on a 10,400 ft. high mountain peak in the
Sierra Nevada Mountains in order to link a transcontinental
microwave system from New York to Los Angeles.
It was at this time that he purchased his first helicopter.
Later he pioneered the unconventional use of a helicopter in the
construction of a water pipeline across the South Rim of the Grand
Canyon. Visitor requests for helicopter rides led to rotorcraft
sightseeing, which launched Papillon Grand Canyon Helicopters.
An innovative entrepreneur, Halvorson has invested in and
founded a multitude of highly successful companies, including:
- Grand Canyon Airlines
- Grand Canyon Squire Motor Inn
- Canyon Airport Shuttle Services
- Hydro-Resources, Inc., a well and water distribution
company
- Rainier Heli-Lift, Inc., a logging and heavy lift company
operating in North and South America
- IMAX Theatre and film Ventures at Grand Canyon and Niagara
Falls
- Monarch Enterprises, Inc., an aircraft equipment leasing
company operating in North and South America
- Halvorson Boshaw Properties; a 3,000-member Washington State
camping club
- Halvorson Osborne Construction Company
- North Benson Plaza, one of several retail shopping centers
Halvorson’s fleet
consists of 60 helicopters; forty operate from his state-of-the art
heliport at the Grand Canyon. He is also the guiding force
behind the development of the Whisper Jet.
During his 37-year association with HAI, he has served as
Assistant Treasurer, Treasurer, Vice Chairman, and twice Chairman,
and has chaired and served on numerous HAI committees, including:
Executive, Finance, Legislative Advisory, Acoustics, and the
Helicopter Tour Operators Committee.
He has supported many aviation associations including: National
Business Aircraft Association; American Helicopter Society; Travel
Industry Association; Tour Operators Program of Safety (TOPS); and
United States Air Tour Association (USATA Board of Directors). An
energetic advocate for the industry, he has very actively pursued
pro-aviation regulations and legislation in many political
forums.