Standing proudly holding his award, Robert Petite explained the delicate design of the award was made in the like of Leonardo da Vinci’s sketch of the aerial screw.

The design precedes any modern flying machine but is believed to have contributed to the development of helicopters, the same aircraft that Petite has spent 25 detailing the history of.

“I knew I always had an interest in aircraft. I remember seeing them fly, the full planes. But I never thought it would end up like this,” Petite said. “I still love it, I still work hard at it.”

Now with two published books and another on the way, Petite is a leading historian on helicopters and was honoured with the historical achievement award from the Vertical Flight Society for contributing to the legacy of vertical flight aviation on May 15 in Philadelphia.

His passion started from his career as a forestry officer with the Alberta forestry services where he flew in Bell 47 helicopters to fight fires. The result was his first book on the complete history of the Bell 47s and the second about helicopters in Alberta wildfire management.

After 34 years at the forestry services, Petite retired but kept busy pouring time into his niche passion, lending him time to sift through the archives on aircraft in Alberta and at the Ottawa Aviation and Space Museum.

For Petite, he believes that history will be forgotten if it is not preserved. That’s why he has also published around 50 articles for a helicopter magazine, including the first helicopter pilots of World War II, one of his favourite stories.

“I’m always answering questions for people. A young mother got a hold of me, her grandfather was the first helicopter pilot with the air force and they didn’t know much about him. Well, I had pictures and sent them stuff,” he said. “It’s just great to help people out too.”

Robert Petite’s books can be ordered online at www.helicopterheritagecanada.com .