More detail on this person: The U.S. Army
taught Joe "Helicopter Joe" Sulak how to fly
choppers, and he ended up serving in Vietnam with
the 101st Airborne Division.
Sulak fought in the battle for "Hamburger Hill"
and was later turned into a character in a book
about Vietnam helicopter pilots titled "Dear Mom,
I'm Alive (letters home from Black Widow 25),"
according to Sulak's Web site.
The name "Helicopter Joe" also can be found on
Web sites devoted to Vietnam-era helicopter
pilots.
Nigel Turner, CEO of Las Vegas-based company
Heli USA, would not identify the pilot yesterday
but told The Associated Press that he was "very
experienced."
The pilot, in fact, had more than 10,000 hours
flying the A-Star, said Federal Aviation
Administration spokesman Ian Gregor, which is "an
awful lot of experience."
"I am a helicopter pilot who flies tours on the
beautiful Garden Island of Kauai, Hawaii," Sulak
proclaims on his Web site, where he is pictured
next to a helicopter.
Two years ago, Sulak developed a line of
"Helicopter Joe" T-shirts and camisoles featuring
a brightly colored, thickly drawn logo of a
helicopter, which he sold at the Heli USA gift
shop in the Princeville Airport.
"I wanted a product that was fun, colorful and not
too serious," Sulak wrote on his Web site. "I
contracted with a professional graphic artist who
came up with the beautiful artwork I use on all my
products. ... Share the spirit of Kauai with our
Hawaiian shirts!!"
From the Honolulu Advertiser
PRINCEVILLE, Kaua'i _ William Joseph "Helicopter
Joe" Sulak came to Kaua'i four years ago to escape
the hectic life of an air ambulance helicopter
pilot.
He wanted to relax and enjoy nature while still
doing what he loved, friends said. He took a job
as a tour helicopter pilot, taking visitors from
around the globe on a one-hour tour of some of the
most beautiful scenery in the Islands. It was a
job he loved, and one he excelled at, soon
becoming one of the most popular pilots at Heli
USA on Kaua'i.
Before long, Sulak was a fixture in Princeville,
where he was known as Helicopter Joe. As news of
Sulak's death hit the town yesterday, friends
expressed shock and grief. Near the accident site,
someone left a Bible, a teddy bear and flowers. At
the Heli USA headquarters in Princeville, next to
the crash scene, the flag flew at half-staff.
"It seems like it's always the good ones that go,"
said Jim Boulton, who lived next door to Sulak on
Victoria Loop. The two struck up a friendship two
years ago. Though both had served in Vietnam,
they preferred to talk about nature _ not war
stories.
"I guess now he's flying with the angels," Boulton
said.
Sulak and three passengers were killed when the
A-Star helicopter crash-landed near the runway at
Princeville Airport on Thursday afternoon. Three
other passengers were critically injured. The
tangled remains of the chopper were under police
guard yesterday, preventing mourners from stopping
along Kuhio Highway to leave mementos.
REMEMBRANCES POUR IN
On The Advertiser's online message board
yesterday, dozens of friends and tourists who had
come to know Sulak during their hour with him in
the sky wrote in with condolences and memories.
His family, too, wrote in _ sending their prayers
to the families of the other victims of the crash
and asking for any clues about the last moments of
the deadly flight.
"I know in my heart my dad did everything he could
to land safely," wrote Sulak's daughter, Carrie.
"I am deeply heartbroken for the families of loved
ones that were lost and I pray for a quick
recovery for the survivors. I would embrace the
opportunity to speak with them at a time when they
are feeling better.
"I just need to know what happened."
Susan Sulak said her brother loved to fly, and
loved to share the experience of flight with
others. She also wrote, "To the families who lost
loved ones on the flight, I feel your pain. I have
no doubt in my mind he did what he could to save
your loved ones."
Joseph Sulak learned to fly helicopters in
Vietnam. At 19, he joined the Army, figuring he
would be drafted anyway. Later in life, Sulak flew
critical patients to hospitals, saving hundreds of
lives in the process.
The day before the crash, Sulak told three women
clients from the East Coast his life story in one
hour.
He also bragged about his kids, while gently
wafting the tourists over the sights of Kaua'i.
THE DAY BEFORE
Those women visitors Gini Wittorff, Bette Conroy
and Donna Hermann showed up at the Princeville
Airport yesterday, nearly in tears as they
inquired about delivering a card to Heli USA to be
forwarded to Sulak's children. They wanted Sulak's
kids to know their dad had been boasting about
them the day before he died.
"We were so surprised and horrified that this
happened," Conroy said.
The three paid a total of $240 for the flight, and
sat in the back seat of the chopper. They were
joined by a couple who sat in the two front seats
flanking Sulak. Over the course of the flight,
Sulak talked about his flying career, his divorce
and the accomplishments of his children. In short,
Sulak gave them a great, memorable flight. They
called him compassionate and personable. "It was
a wonderful tour," Hermann said. "He seemed like a
very competent pilot." But when they saw news
reports about the crash, their hearts sank. They
were almost certain it couldn't have been Sulak
flying the craft. "I just couldn't believe it when
they said Helicopter Joe," Hermann said. Wittorff
quickly added, "I think all of us felt like
somebody had punched us in the stomach." And
then Wittorff had another thought: "We were one
day away from being on that helicopter" that
crashed, she said.
SUNSET AND LONGHORNS
Others who had flown with Sulak throughout his
long career also posted messages yesterday,
saying Sulak was a top-notch, natural flier.
Bill May of Florida said he flew with Sulak in
Vietnam. "Joe was absolutely one of the best," May
wrote. "I would have trusted my family with him
anytime."
Linda Lichty said she worked with Sulak at the Med
Center LifeFlight program in California. "I
trusted him fully every time I flew with him,
knowing I was in great hands," said Lichty, of
Auburn, Calif. "I have only very fond memories of
him and enjoyed hearing all of his stories talking
about his pride and joy - his kids!"
Bill Malish, who lived across the street from
Sulak, said the pilot was originally from Texas.
The two became fast friends about a year ago,
when Malish hung a Texas Longhorns banner
outside his house one day. Malish is originally
from Austin.
"He was a kind of quiet guy, just the person you'd
say was a great neighbor," Malish said. "I would
always see him on his porch, watching the sunset."
As a rain fell on Princeville yesterday, Malish
dusted off his Longhorns banner and hung it on his
house in honor of Sulak. "He would've like that,"
Malish said, smiling.
The two-story house in which Sulak was living is
leased by Heli USA for new employees arriving on
the island. Sulak had lived in the house for three
years, serving as a mentor to newcomers. "I'm sure
they learned something from him," Boulton said.
'DEAR JOE, WE ALL HAVE TEARS IN OUR
EYES'
Excerpts from condolences and comments posted
on The Advertiser's Web site in connection with
Thursday's crash:
He may be "Helicopter Joe" to all of you but to me
he is my dad! ... My dad loved to fly. He loved
saving lives when he flew for Life Flight and he
loved entertaining the passengers while touring
Kaua'i. He was so smart and funny and his clever
little "spiel" always brought laughs. ..
Also, just want to add that I know in my heart my
dad did everything he could to land safely. I am
so proud of him for at least saving three people,
although selfishly I wish he would have saved
himself.
I am deeply heartbroken for the families of loved
ones that were lost and I pray for a quick
recovery for the survivors. - Carrie Sulak,
California
I would like to thank all of you who have taken
your time to share your great experiences with my
brother. Knowing him, he did his best to make your
time with him fun. He loved to fly and sharing
that experience with you must have given him great
joy.
To the families who lost loved ones on the flight,
I feel your pain. ... I have no doubt in my mind
he did what he could to save your loved ones.
To you who are blessed to have friends and family
who survived, I would really like to hear from
you. I don't know why exactly. I guess I just want
to know about my brother's last few minutes.
_ Susan Sulak, Morgan, Texas
I flew with Joe for several years with the UC
Davis Life Flight helicopter. He was professional
and experienced. I trusted my life to him every
time we got in the ship and I never regretted it.
He never took chances. He was one of the safest
pilots I ever flew with. He loved to fly and he
loved to tell stories.
_ Margaret Watson Hopkins, Sacramento, Calif.
I was with Joe Sulak in Vietnam in 1969. One of
our crew chiefs, Lonnie Heidke, sent me an e-mail
today telling me about the accident. Joe was
absolutely one of the best. I would have trusted
my family with him anytime, anywhere.
Bill May, Florida
Almost exactly one year ago we (my sister and I)
flew with "Smooth" Joe. It was the highlight of
our two-island vacation and he was the epitome of
experience and professionalism. I would do it
again in a minute. My deepest sympathy to families
and friends of the deceased and the residents of
Kaua'i. I am very interested to hear the FAA's
report and hear the conversation from the "black
box."
Jan, Minnesota
I lived in Hawai'i for two years and pray for the
tourists who lost their lives. I feel that all
helicopter rides should be banned and all
helicopters inspected before more people die. Some
people are looking to make a buck off of tourists
instead of truly caring about the safety of
innocent people. Marlo Marie, New York I am
really getting tired of this. Before any tourist
gets in a helicopter in Hawai'i they should get
detailed listing of all the deaths of tourists in
helicopters during the past 10 years. Then they
can make an informed choice.
Brian, Honolulu
Dear Joe, we all have tears in our eyes. I was
hoping to fly with you again. I would have flown
with you anytime, any day.
Olivier Gruner, Los Angeles
Reach Mary Vorsino at
mvorsino@honoluluadvertiser.com.
------------------
Article URL:
http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/2007/Mar
/10/ln/FP703100331.html
------------------Copyright 2007 The Honolulu
Advertiser-----------------
Joe Sulak's Memorial Service.. The Eulogy. - by
Randy Mains on April 14th 2007
Today we are here to celebrate Joe's life and to
give thanks for having had the opportunity to have
our lives brightened with his humor, wit and
lively character.
I tried to think how I could describe Joe in a few
words? I suddenly realized he summed himself up
when he described his "Helicopter Joe" line of
clothing on his website when he wrote, "I wanted a
product that was fun, colorful and not too
serious," That was Joe! Fun, colorful and not
too serious. I think you will agree that Joe was
a unique man who marched to the tune of his own
rock band.
Joe and I had a history that spanned 39 years. We
went to flight school together then served a one
year tour in Vietnam with the 101st Airborne
Division. In combat you quickly get to know what
a man is made of. It did not take long to see
that Joe was, a man of integrity a staunch patriot
and one of the best pilots I have ever known.
Joe was always one to remember significant dates
common to both of us, milestones of sorts. He
would contact me to remind me of that date's
significants. For example, on the 22nd of
September last year I received an email from Joe.
In it he said:
Hey Randy,
Does the above date ring a bell??? Thirty eight
years ago on that date we graduated from flight
school, too few days later we were up to our hips
in Viet Nam mud. A year later we were
grizzled/seasoned/veteran combat helicopter
pilots. Then a few weeks later we were newbie
instructor pilots at Ft. Wolters, Texas. I am so
glad we did all that.... as Joe Walsh says "Life's
been good to me so far"
Take care my friend,
Joe
On the 21st of October 06 I received this email
from Joe regarding the death of Captain Curley a
mutual friend, a man who served with us in
Vietnam. Captain Curley was about our age when
he passed away. This is Joe's reply to my email
telling him of Curly's death.
Hi Randy,
Yes it is sad about Curly. At least he had a long
life. You are right about living for today. Air
ambulance taught me that life can be interrupted
at any time. My motto is "live your life while you
still remember who you are".
Take care my friend, Joe
That statement was typical of Joe's humor.
I can't talk about Joe without mentioning his
fantastic sense of humor. Besides sharing nearly
40 years of history humor was the bond that kept
us close.
During a recent phone conversation he told me
about part of the spiel he used to say to the
tourists he would fly in Kauai. The movie with
Ann Hecht and Harrison ford "Eight Days Seven
Nights" was filmed in Kauai. When Joe flew over
the beach where the movie was filmed he would
say, "And below you can see the beach where the
movie "Eight Days Seven Nights" was filmed
starring Ann Hecht and my brother Harry"_then he'd
wait for the reactions of his passengers.
Joe possessed boundless enthusiasm for whatever
he did. Wether it be:
--Flying in combat in Vietnam
--Saving lives as an aero medical pilot for over
20 years
--Gold mining at his beloved claim always on the
verge of discovering the mother lode
--Setting up a diamond mine in French Ghana with
accounts he'd send back to us that sounded like
tales from a real Indiana Jones
--And of course as a tour pilot in Kauai he loved
keeping his passengers spell bound with his life
stories colorfully rich in content peppered with
high drama and daring.
Joe being Joe he managed to rise above the
average helicopter pilot in Kauai to become
someone special, unique, a real character and
local celebrity known as "Helicopter Joe".
When I learned of Joe's death I immediately went
on line to check out the Hawaiian newspapers. I
was amazed at the outpouring from people who had
written in-- whose lives Joe had touched while
flying with him. I'd like to read just a few here
now because to me they capture what Joe was all
about and how he was received by total
strangers:
From Hank & Jeanne Moreno Princeville
We and some guests from the Mainland flew with
Joe on March 1st of this year. We had taken the
helicopter tours many times before but felt that
Joe was the best pilot we had ever flown with. In
addition to his professional manner he was very
friendly, addressed all passengers by name and
made the flight extremely enjoyable. He talked
about his family, his love for them and his love
of Kauai. The Sulak family should be very proud of
Joe and the happiness he gave hundreds of his
passengers. Our thoughts and prayers are with you
all. Sincerely, Jeanne & Hank Moreno
From Jim & Sylvia Joubert Yorba Linda, CA
We had the extreme pleasure of flying with
"Helicopter Joe" this past January 2007. I and the
rest of my family share in the tragic loss of a
great human being and servant of mankind...Joe
Sulak AKA "Helicopter Joe". Joe made us feel
very safe and secure as he prepared us for our
helicopter tour. Joe freely shared his personal
life experience of serving in Vietnam as well as
hundreds of Life Flight missions flown in service
to his fellow man. Joe was a man who took his job
seriously. Safety was his top priority. It was
obvious from the very beginning of our tour that
Joe had a deep passion for what he was doing. He
loved his family and cared deeply for people. I
learned all this about Joe in just 45 minutes.
And one final one from Sandra Berkley and Allen
Harry Littleton, Colorado
On February 11, 2007, we had one of the most
wonderful experiences of our lives on our 25th
anniversary trip to Hawaii--touring Kauai by
helicopter with Joe Sulak. He was such a wonderful
guide, story-teller, pilot, and a genuinely warm
person. Our condolences go out to his family and
friends...all those he loved and who loved him. He
said that day that he always wanted to be Peter
Pan...he gave us a magical flying experience that
will stay with us the rest of our lives.
I want to conclude by saying that I am deeply
saddened at the sudden loss of a great and loyal
friend. Joe, you will be missed by all of us who
knew you and who loved you. I just know that you
will be waiting to escort me around the next time
we meet, like you did at LZ Sally in '69 when you
got there a week before me. And in Iran in '76
when you'd been there for nearly a year. And at
Hermann Hospital's Life Flight program in 79 when
you'd been there for six months before I arrived.
You were always there to guide me and show me
the ropes when I was a new guy. I know when we
meet again you will greet me with the same
enthusiasm and warmth you have always shown in
the past. I have no doubt you are honing your
spiel right now to give me the ultimate final
tour. Meanwhile, my friend Joe, until that time
comes just know that we will all miss your bright
light, your contagious enthusiasm for life, your
unwavering support and, most of all, I will miss
your wonderful sense of humor.
The info I have concerns my friend and lead pilot,
named William J. "Joe" Sulak, in Hawaii. I know
Joe from when we both flew for Heli-USA in
Princeville, Kauai, HI. Joe entered flight school
when he was 18 years old and after his tour with
101st AB Div in 1968-69, he was an instructor
pilot in TH-55's at Ft. Wolters, TX. After
separating from active duty in 1971, Joe entered
civilian aviation and specifically flew EMS
helicopters for over 25 years before he went to
Hawaii to fly tour helicopters. Joe was killed on
8 March 2007 at age 59 while acting as PIC of an
Eurocopter AS-350BA AStar at Princeville Airport,
Hawaii. He died with 3 of his 6 passengers.
According to the preliminary NTSB report, it is
suspected that Joe experienced a flight control
failure and not an hydraulic failure as he had
first reported via two-way radio.
From: Ed Wolfe
This information was last updated 05/18/2016
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