• About this organization

The American Helicopter Society (AHS) International is the world’s oldest and largest professional society dedicated to enhancing the understanding of vertical flight technology. Since it was founded in 1943 – just as the first US helicopter was being put into service – the Society has been the primary forum for interchange of information on vertical flight technology. According to the AHS Bylaws: "The purpose of the Society is to engage in educational and scientific activities to advance the theory and practices of the science of helicopter and other aircraft in the area of vertical take-off and landing (VTOL)...."
Our Mission
The American Helicopter Society (AHS) International is the world’s premier professional vertical flight technical society.
Since its inception in 1943, AHS has provided an international forum through which to expand the body of knowledge of vertical flight.
The Society is the global resource for information on vertical flight technology.
Our Vision
To provide global leadership for scientific, technical, educational and legislative initiatives that advance the state-of-the-art of vertical flight.
Our Strategic Thrusts
Expand the membership
Develop a robust online presence
Return more value to the members
Be the leaders of advocacy for vertical flight technology

Each year, the Society organizes or co-sponsors several regional and international conferences that facilitate the advancement of the theory and practices of helicopter and other VTOL aircraft technology, and publishes their proceedings. The Society publishes a well-respected general audience quarterly magazine, Vertiflite, as well as the world’s only technical vertical flight publication, The Journal of the American Helicopter Society (JAHS). The society advocates on behalf of rotorcraft to the public and to government bodies. AHS also awards $35,000 in annual scholarships and sponsors an annual student design competition for undergraduate and graduate student teams. In addition, AHS presents two dozen annual awards to companies, individuals and pilots for technical accomplishments, supplier excellence, inspiring rescues, and promoting the goals of the Society.
The vision for the Society is laid out in the Fall 2011 issue of Vertiflite magazine by the new AHS Executive Director, Mike Hirschberg: Welcome to AHS 2.0. Please read it to find out more about where the Society is headed.