a joint venture between Bell Helicopter and Agusta SpA.

1999:MD Helicopters Inc. is formed with the acquisition of the former McDonnell Douglas commercial helicopter line from Boeing,

2001:AgustaWestland is formed with the merger of Agusta SpA and GKN Westland.

2003: First flight of the BA609 tilt-rotor.

2004: Sikorsky acquires Schweizer Aircraft Corp., which includes its light helicopter, reconnaissance aircraft, and unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) product lines. Founded in 1930, Schweizer was the oldest privately owned aircraft manufacturer in the United States.

2005: The BA609 performs first conversion to airplane mode in flight, first civil aircraft to do so.

2007: Robinson Helicopters announces the company’s first turbine-powered helicopter, the R66. Robinson has produced more helicopters than any other aircraft manufacturer in history.

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Personal life 
Andris Bērziņš married Dace Seisuma a couple of days before assuming office as President. It is his second marriage. Aside from his native Latvian, he also speaks Russian. On 3 September 2012, Bērziņš threatened TV news crew which was filming him coming alongside his son on the first day of the school year: "Guys, you want me to beat you over the head? It's been a long time since you've been beaten?..."

Honours and awards 
Order of the Three Stars Class I with chain (2011)
Order of Viesturs Class I (2011)
The Cross of Recognition Class I (2011)
Commander of Order of the Three Stars (2000)
Commemorative pin for participants in the 1991 barricades (1996)
Knight Grand Cross of the Order of St. Olav (2015)

References

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