Vertical Aviation International (VAI) is recognizing four industry leaders with its 2025 Salute to Excellence Lifetime Achievement Award, marking a departure from its traditional single-recipient format. Sponsored by Bell, the awards are being presented this at Verticon 2025 in Dallas.

The expanded recognition includes Pat Attaway, director of operations at PHI Americas; René Closter, former CEO of Luxembourg Air Rescue; Thierry Couderc, v-p of the European Helicopter Association; and retired Indian Air Force Wing Commander B.S. Singh Deo.

Attaway’s career includes 35 years of experience, beginning with serving as a U.S. Navy helicopter pilot and later pioneering Sikorsky S-92 commercial operations. He has chaired the Helicopter Safety Advisory Conference and the Operational Effectiveness Workstream with HeliOffshore.

Under Closter’s leadership, Luxembourg Air Rescue expanded to operate seven helicopters and five jets, completing more than 70,000 missions. Closter was personally involved in more than 14,000 rescues and also served as v-p of air ambulance service DRF Luftrettung. 

Couderc has been instrumental in harmonizing French rotorcraft interests with European regulations and advancing safety initiatives through industry committees. He is the executive director of French helicopter association Union Francaise de l’Helicoptere.

Singh Deo’s 55-year career spans military and civilian aviation, including significant contributions to aviation safety and training at Bell Helicopter. He is v-p of the Rotary Wing Society of India and a member of the Aeronautical Society of India.