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Feb
09
2026
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Posted 22 hours ago ago by Admin
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In the far south of South America, between the fruit valleys of central Chile and the dramatic landscapes of Patagonia, operates Aerotoscana — an aviation company that blends the precision of modern flight with the adventurous spirit of its founders, María Jesús Ardura and Felipe Reitz. What began as a shared dream has grown into a reputable helicopter operation known for its professionalism, versatility, and innovative approach to rotorcraft aviation.
Origins
Aerotoscana was born from a simple but bold idea: to connect Santiago with Viña del Mar and Limache, in Chile’s Valparaíso region. In a highly centralized country, their goal was clear — to decentralize access and showcase the potential and beauty of a region often overlooked. Operating from their base at the boutique hotel Villas Toscanas in Limache, they began with private and charter flights, initially subcontracted through other companies.
Over time, Felipe — a commercial engineer, pilot, and co-founder of Aerotoscana — and María Jesús — a commercial engineer and professional skier — combined their love for the mountains and aviation to launch their own heliskiing operation. With support from both national and international brands, they created an all-inclusive experience featuring flights, accommodations, meals, and local guides. It was a unique product that attracted clients from around the world and continues to inspire new flight requests to this day.
A Strategic Transition
Despite the initial success of their heliskiing venture, Aerotoscana faced a challenge familiar to mountain pilots and powder chasers alike — the near impossibility of perfectly aligning ideal high-mountain flying conditions with optimal snow quality. That magical window, while exhilarating, is rare and unpredictable. To ensure greater stability and continuity, Aerotoscana strategically diversified into the agricultural sector — an area that proved fertile in both literal and commercial terms.
Today, their specialty lies in frost control and cherry drying — operations that demand exceptional flight precision, often during night hours or after heavy rainfall. They work with some of the world’s leading cherry exporters, providing efficient, safe, and customized aerial solutions for Chilean farmland.
In 2024, Aerotoscana released a high-production short documentary showcasing the use of the Robinson R66 in these demanding agricultural operations. Filmed to cinematic standards, the documentary provides an intimate, professional view of their work and is available in both English and Spanish versions.
PLAY VIDEO
Official Ambassadors
Robinson Helicopter Company recently introduced a new tail-rotor stabilizer across its models. Aerotoscana tested it during a 45-hour expedition across Patagonia, where it demonstrated a remarkable improvement in overall stability — particularly in adverse flying conditions. During formation flights with 12 other helicopters, Aerotoscana’s R66 — the only aircraft equipped with the new stabilizer — stood out for its noticeably steadier performance, validating the stabilizer’s effectiveness.
A key component of Aerotoscana’s success lies in the avionics suite aboard their R66. Outfitted with the Garmin GTN 750 and its extended touchscreen GDU 1010TXi, the system integrates seamlessly with iPad flight planning apps via the Flight Stream 510. This setup enables pilots to plan routes in advance from the ground and transfer them directly to the aircraft — dramatically improving operational efficiency and flight safety.
The R66 Turbine Marine has become Aerotoscana’s signature workhorse, offering outstanding performance and adaptability. Its auxiliary tanks allow for up to five hours of range plus reserves, while its radar altimeter, floats, anti-ice system, and superb visibility make it a vital tool for high-demand missions.
Today, María Jesús and Felipe are official ambassadors of Robinson Helicopter Company. In this role, they’ve created technical and audiovisual content with a fresh, adventurous perspective — highlighting the real-world capabilities of the R66 in agriculture, executive transport, expeditionary flying, and exploration throughout southern Chile. As a company committed to continuous improvement, Aerotoscana also actively participates in factory safety courses and specialized training to elevate their operational and safety standards.
One Couple, One Vision
At its heart, Aerotoscana is a family business. María Jesús leads marketing, logistics, and content creation, while Felipe heads operations as the chief pilot. Together, they have built a brand defined by authenticity, innovation, and an unwavering passion for flight.
More than just a service, Aerotoscana offers an experience unlike anything else in Chile. Flying in high mountains — navigating turbulent winds, updrafts, downdrafts, and intense terrain transitions like the “sisaies” — requires not just technical precision but a true love for flying. It is in these extreme scenarios that Aerotoscana has distinguished itself with its safety record, piloting skills, and human-focused approach.
Today, Aerotoscana proudly supports Chile’s leading cherry exporter, contributing directly to one of the nation’s most important agricultural missions: delivering cherries to China. This work represents not only a major responsibility, but also a recognition of their technical and human excellence. Being part of this supply chain is both a challenge and an honor that motivates Aerotoscana to keep raising the bar.
Their story not only inspires new pilots and operators, but also offers a different perspective on what aviation in the global south can be — a blend of technology, adventure, world-class service, with a deep commitment to the land.
Looking Ahead
Aerotoscana is now preparing to integrate drones into their operations and evaluating the expansion of their fleet with new aircraft. With a focus on cutting-edge technology, safety, and operational efficiency, their growth is guided by clear vision and purpose. Their participation in international expos like VERTICON has helped shape their future and refine their strategic goals.
With over 1.5 million views across social media in the past two years and increasing international recognition, Aerotoscana proves that you don’t need to be a large corporation to make a big impact. All it takes is a clear mission, a deep passion for aviation, and the courage to pursue it — even from one of the most remote corners of the world.
As a young, dynamic, and constantly evolving company, Aerotoscana has only just begun its journey. Their mission: to continually improve operations, achieve the highest safety standards, and establish themselves as a world-class helicopter operation with international reach.
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