Bell Helicopter International

1973-1979

A History of BHI, 1973-1979

This information is excerpted from BHI News.

21 February 1973 – History is made when a contract is signed with the Government of Iran for BHI to train helicopter pilots and mechanics in Iran for the Imperial Iranian Army Aviation branch.

March 1973 – An intense recruiting program is activated to engage outstanding administrative, instructor and technical personnel.

March 1973 – Major General Delk M. Oden is named president of BHI.

1 April 1973 – BHI’s first charter flight departs from Dallas to Iran with Bell Helicopter President Jim Atkins among the 45 passengers.  The ship, which arrives in Iran on April 2, also brings 60,000 pounds of equipment and parts.

2-5 April 1973 – Organization of the Technical School begins in Teheran in the Iran Helicopters Industries Building.

6 April 1973 – BHI Flight Training School occupies buildings on Esfahan IIAA Base.

10 April 1973 – Ceremonies commemorate the opening of the Technical and Flight Schools.  In attendance are:  Jim Atkins; Maj. Gen. M. G. Williamson, MAAG; Iranian Generals Oveisi, Toufanian, and Manoucher Khosrowdad; Colonel Shahnaz and other dignitaries from IIAA, IHI, BCH, BHI and MAAG.

17 April 1973 – General Katoozian, parliamentary assistant to the War Minister and 42 members of the Iranian Senate and Parliament visit the Flight School in Esfahan.

24 April 1973 – First prerequisite class begins at IHI Technical School.  The Technical School Learning Center opens.

May 1973 – Government of Iran awards contract to Bell Helicopter International to establish nationwide helicopter logistics system.

19 July 1973 – Initial cadre of BHI logistics specialists arrives in Iran and commences operations in existing Government of Iran facilities in Teheran.

20 September 1973 – First of four FASC is established in Esfahan.

13 May 1974 – A major milestone in BHI’s history is achieved by the visit of His Imperial Majesty, Mohammed Reza Pahlavi, the Shananshah of Iran.

20 June 1974 – The first AH-1 SeaCobra arrives in Esfahan.

July 1974 – During the first year of the BHI logistics program, the average helicopter availability rate  more than doubled from less than 40% to over 80%.

August 15, 1974 – INJA (meaning This Place) is started in Esfahan by Terry Simpson, Carole Ancelin and Sally Barker as an unofficial employee newsletter.

2 November 1974 – The Directorate of Training is reorganized with the division of the facility into two departments – Instruction and Support.