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Sep
26
2025
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Posted 32 days ago ago by Admin
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RPMN: What is your current position?
I am the CEO of Aerotoscana, a Chilean helicopter company. I serve as the chief pilot, flying a Robinson R66 primarily for agricultural operations, including frost control and fruit drying, with a special focus on Chile’s cherry growers. I carry out this work alongside my wife, a team of engineers, and strong accounting support, allowing us to perform each operation with the highest level of dedication and professionalism.
RPMN: Tell me about your first experience with helicopters.
My first experiences with helicopters date back to 2015, flying with Claudio Fischer, a renowned Chilean pilot of both airplanes and helicopters, who inspired me to pursue this path. Claudio, originally from Chile’s Patagonia, amazed me with the experience of flying over such a beautiful, remote, and little-explored place at the end of the world. Following his advice, I began my aviation training with airplanes before transitioning to helicopters.
RPMN: How did you get your start in the helicopter industry?
Aerotoscana was created with the goal of transporting people from Santiago, the capital of Chile, to Viña del Mar, where we live, with the idea of decentralizing Santiago and increasing the flow of executives to the Valparaíso Region. We also brought guests to our boutique hotel, Villas Toscanas, located in the Limache Valley, offering them a unique stay in the region. We began with a focus on passenger transportation—a venture that was not easy to launch and which, although we still offer today, is no longer our main operation. Over time, we diversified into heli-fishing, heli-camping, and agricultural operations, initially as a subcontractor for larger companies. This led us to launch our own heli-ski operation, which we ran successfully for three consecutive seasons without incidents, gaining valuable operational experience. This stage strengthened our image and allowed us to enter the agricultural business directly, where we now focus most of our efforts.
RPMN: When and how did you choose the helicopter industry? Or did it choose you?
I chose the helicopter industry because I was deeply passionate about flying and wanted to find a way to stay in the air in a self-sustaining manner, allowing me to keep improving my skills. Through agricultural work, we managed to cover flight costs while gaining valuable experience, which allowed me to train abroad. I believe the answer goes both ways—I chose the industry to be able to fly, and the industry chose me by giving me the opportunity to grow and share what I love most.
RPMN: Where did you get your start flying professionally?
As I mentioned earlier, helicopter flight schools in Chile were very limited, and at the time I began my training, it was nearly impossible unless you owned a helicopter. Thanks to my father’s support, I connected with Félix De Vicente, who owned a Robinson R44 Raven II and was starting a flight school. I became the first student at Rotortec in Santiago, training with pilot Miguel Marín, a retired officer from the Chilean armed forces who gave me a strong foundation and opened the door for pilots in Chile to train without purchasing their own aircraft.
Professionally, I began flying when we acquired our Robinson R66 Turbine Marine, the aircraft that became the foundation of all my work in the industry and the driving force that inspired us to develop the projects and operations that define our path today. I had the privilege of ferrying the R66 from Torrance, California, on a 22-day, 67-flight-hour journey alongside the distinguished and veteran pilot, Commander Alfonso Wenzel. It was both a major challenge and an invaluable experience for which I am deeply grateful, marking a before-and-after moment in my professional life.
RPMN: If you were not in the helicopter industry, what else would you see yourself doing?
If I weren’t in the helicopter industry, I think I would be pursuing a sport more professionally—something related to golf, cycling, or motorcycles. I would look for something that could give me and others the same feelings I get when flying: freedom, focus, and adrenaline.
RPMN: What do you enjoy doing on your days off?
On my days off, I enjoy dedicating time to the helicopter—performing basic maintenance, cleaning, checking the weather, planning routes, and constantly looking for ways to improve my operations. I focus on learning more about the Robinson R66 by talking to mechanics, reading aeronautical literature and other pilots’ experiences, and attending courses. When we are out of season, my wife and I fly to Patagonia to carry out expeditions and explorations; it’s a region we are passionate about discovering from the air and on the ground. I also spend a lot of time with my father, my greatest supporter, sharing hobbies like cycling and golf. In addition, I create and share content on our social media channels, providing practical and safe information to help other pilots fly more efficiently and confidently.
RPMN: What is your greatest career accomplishment to date?
My greatest accomplishment in the helicopter industry has been producing a high-quality documentary video to showcase the operations we carry out in Chile. For my wife, myself, and our company, it was deeply rewarding to present it in the United States, share it with other pilots, and demonstrate what we do from this far corner of the world with the R66 and what it can achieve. We are proud that companies from around the globe have seen and recognized our work.
RPMN: Have you ever had an “oh, crap” moment in helicopters? Can you summarize what happened?
My most challenging moment happened during a heli-ski operation with two groups of clients. Near the end of the day, I heard a strange noise and the starter generator warning light came on, indicating the battery was no longer charging. I had to halt the operation, leave one group on the mountain, fly the other down, and then return for the first group—executing all emergency procedures without ever shutting down the turbine. Thanks to quick decision-making and coordination, everyone was evacuated safely, although the mechanical failure was severe. The helicopter could not be restarted until it was repaired.
RPMN: If you could give only one piece of advice to new pilots, mechanics, or support personnel, what would it be?
What has helped me the most is maintaining constant safety training, continuing to practice, and asking many questions to understand every detail. I pay particular attention to inspecting the helicopter after maintenance—something that might occasionally annoy mechanics, but I consider it essential for a pilot. Recently, I earned my instructor’s license, which has motivated me even more to keep studying, investing in specialized books such as Keep Your RPM in the Green by Richard Mornington-Sanford, which I highly recommend. My advice is simple: stay trained, stay current, and always fly calmly, never in a rush.
RPMN: In your view, what is the greatest challenge for the helicopter industry at this moment in time?
I believe one of the main challenges for the helicopter industry today is staying relevant in the face of emerging technologies such as drones and artificial intelligence, which in some cases could replace certain types of work. As members of this industry, we have a responsibility to inform and educate others about the true value of helicopter operations—they are essential, save time, and in many cases have no direct competition. By communicating this importance, we can not only maintain our place but also improve it by integrating technology and new ideas that strengthen and evolve the market.
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