Van Nuys Airport (VNY) honored the late Alan Purwin of Helinet Aviation with the dedication of a helicopter themed play structure at the airport’s observation area. The dedication came the same day as Van Nuys Airport celebrated its 90th anniversary.
"Alan Purwin’s contributions to both aviation and the film industry have been truly remarkable,” said Los Angeles City Councilwoman Nury Martinez. “We are pleased to honor his lifelong career and his philanthropic generosity with something tangible that brings joy and happiness to children visiting the airport.”
Purwin was an American helicopter pilot, entrepreneur and philanthropist. During his career, he contributed to the aerial cinematography industry and aided in the filming of hundreds of Hollywood movies and was regarded as one of the top film pilots of his generation.
Purwin co-founded West Coast Helicopters in 1987, which became Helinet Aviation in 1998, to fulfill his goal of providing the safest, most responsive and reliable helicopter services for the medical, charter, production and electronic news gathering industries.
Twenty years ago, Purwin started his mission of supporting Children's Hospital Los Angeles by dedicating two specially equipped helicopters to transport critically ill children from across the region for life-saving treatment. Purwin agreed to fund the program, billing insurance when possible, but otherwise underwriting the cost.
Commissioner Jeffery Daar of the Los Angeles World Airports Board of Airport Commissioners added, "This is the only helicopter transport program for Children's Hospital LA. Helinet's two helicopters have transported more than 9,000 critically ill children for life saving treatment."
On September 11, 2015, Purwin was a passenger in a fatal airplane crash in the Andean natural region of Colombia.
Alan always had a heart for the well-being of others, especially children. We are grateful for the opportunity to honor Alan and keep his legacy alive in the aviation community he was extraordinarily passionate about,” said his wife, Kathryn Purwin, CEO of Helinet.
Guests witnessed the helicopter play structure dedication ceremony, which included a speaking program featuring Councilwoman Nury Martinez, Board of Airport Commissioners member Jeffery Daar, Van Nuys Airport Manager Flora Margheritis, and Helinet Aviation Chief Executive Officer Kathryn Purwin. The celebration concluded with light refreshments and the chance for children to play in the helicopter’s interactive 3D cockpit as make-believe pilots.
