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Articles for tag Meet A Rotor Pro




May
22
2023

Meet a Rotor Pro - Scott Tinnesand, Experimental Test Pilot and Instructor Pilot for Boeing

Posted by Admin

RPMN: What is your current position? My dream job: experimental test pilot and instructor pilot for The Boeing Company in Mesa, Arizona. I primarily fly the AH-64E Apache and AH-6 Little Bird but I get to fly other helicopters and airplanes too, which provides lots of variety. The flight tests we conduct range from benign testing (new radios, software upgrades, etc.) to exciting experimental tests including weapons firing, testing new rotor blades and things of that nature. I work with a great group of pilots and support staff, which truly makes this my dream job. Besides, I do not know many civilian pilots that get to shoot miniguns off helicopters; I consider myself fortunate. On the side, I am also an FAA designated pilot examiner (DPE) in helicopters for private pilot through initial CFI certificates. Arizona’s great weather makes this area perfect for year-round flying so naturally there is a concentration of flight schools. The other FAA authorizations I have allow me to do special medical flight tests, military competency activities, foreign pilot license conversions and a few other things. I am active in local aviation organizations including being an FAA Safety Team representative, I am a co-chair for the annual HAI Heli-Expo Military to Civilian Transition Workshop and I work as an expert witness for aircraft accident lawsuits. [Read More...]



Tags: Boeing Helicopters helicopter experimental test pilot helicopter instructor pilot Meet A Rotor Pro Scott Tinnesand
Categories: categoryHuman Interest



Mar
16
2023

Meet a Rotor Pro - Brandi Rector, CEO of Skyhunter Outfitters and Semper Fly Helicopters

Posted by Admin

RPMN: What is your current position? My current position with Skyhunter Outfitters and Semper Fly Helicopters is CEO and pilot. I am a CFII and also an A&P mechanic so I help maintain our helicopter. Skyhunter offers helicopter hog hunting along the Texas/Oklahoma border as well as night thermal hunts on the ground. Semper Fly Helicopters does tours of Broken Bow Lake, Oklahoma, customizable tours, and skydiving events. I am working on solidifying a Part 135 so we can offer charters. We also do a lot of work with veterans and first responders and try to donate hunts and host events to raise money for them. [Read More...]



Tags: Meet A Rotor Pro
Categories: categoryHuman Interest



Jan
23
2023

Meet a Rotor Pro - Tyler Carver, Papillon Grand Canyon Helicopters

Posted by Admin

RP: What is your current position? I am the assistant director of operations for Papillon Grand Canyon Helicopters. We are the world’s largest and longest-operating helicopter tour company with 57 years of experience. Papillon currently operates a fleet of 47 helicopters, including Bell 206Ls, Airbus AS350B3es and EC130B4/T2s, and an MD 900. We employ over 60 pilots in seven locations across Nevada and Arizona. In addition to tours, we also have a robust utility division with helicopters working on contracts anywhere from Alaska to Florida. [Read More...]



Tags: Meet A Rotor Pro Papillon Grand Canyon Helicopters Tyler Carver
Categories: categoryCareer Development



Nov
21
2022

Meet a Rotor Pro - Matt Johnson, Metro Aviation

Posted by Admin

RPMN: What is your current position? I am a single-pilot IFR HAA Line Pilot, Part 135 check airman, instructor, and FOQA gatekeeper for Metro Aviation, and a designated pilot examiner (DPE) for the FAA. I also remain active as a sworn law enforcement (LE) officer flying on a part-time basis for a sheriff's office. [Read More...]



Tags: Matt Johnson Metro Aviation Meet A Rotor Pro
Categories: categoryCareer Development categoryOpinion-Editorial categoryHuman Interest



Sep
26
2022

Meet a Rotor Pro - Tony Minnis

Posted by Admin

RPMN: What is your current position? I recently retired as the Aviation Section captain for the Orange County Sheriff's Office in Orlando, Florida. The Section has four helicopters, one fixed-wing aircraft, and 24 full-time personnel consisting of pilots, flight observers and mechanics. There are additional part-time personnel available on an as-needed basis. RPMN: Tell me about your first flight or experience with helicopters. My first flight in a helicopter was when I was assigned as an A-4 plane captain with VMA-131 in the U.S. Marine Corps. We flew on a CH-53 from Willow Grove Naval Air Station in Pennsylvania to Lakehurst Naval Air Station in New Jersey. It was a fantastic experience. The pilots were Vietnam veterans who truly enjoyed their work and took time to explain what they were doing as well as how the systems operated on the aircraft. From that point on I was hooked on becoming a pilot. [Read More...]



Tags: Meet A Rotor Pro Orange County Sheriffs Aviation Unit Tony Minnis
Categories: categoryCareer Development categoryHuman Interest