<PAGE>


                                                                    EXHIBIT 99.1

                            CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
                  SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

In connection with the Annual Report of Petroleum Helicopters, Inc. (the
"Company") on Form 10-K for the period ending December 31, 2002 (the "Report"),
I, Lance F. Bospflug, Chief Executive Officer of the Company, certify that:

         (1) The Report fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or
15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

         (2) The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all
material respects, the financial condition and result of operations of the
Company.



Petroleum Helicopters, Inc.



By: /s/ Lance F. Bospflug
    ----------------------------------------
      Lance F. Bospflug
      President & Chief Executive Officer
      March 31, 2003





