Leading helicopter services company marks two decades of growth, innovation, and uncompromising safety standards
Redlands, CA – August 25, 2025 – High Performance Helicopters (HP Helicopters) celebrates its 20th anniversary, marking two decades of exceptional service in the helicopter industry. Since its founding in 2005, the company has grown from a specialized aviation services provider to a nationally recognized leader in complex helicopter operations, distinguished by its modern fleet, mobile maintenance capabilities, and unwavering commitment to safety.
Modern Fleet Delivers Unmatched Capabilities
HP Helicopters operates a diverse, standardized fleet of legacy and modern aircraft designed to handle the most challenging missions across varied terrain and weather conditions. The company's fleet includes several specialized platforms, each optimized for specific mission requirements:
UH-60 Blackhawk: This heavy-lift workhorse serves as the backbone of HP Helicopters' most demanding operations, capable of carrying external loads of up to 9,000 pounds and featuring an operational range of over 300 nautical miles. For firefighting operations, their own type-certified UH-60 can deliver up to 1,100 gallons of water per drop, making it invaluable for rapid wildfire response across the western United States.
Bell Medium Series 205/UH-1H +++: A proven performer in utility and construction applications, the Bell Medium offers exceptional versatility with an external load capacity of 3,300 pounds and the ability to carry up to 350 gallons of water for firefighting missions. Equipped with dedicated longline capabilities and bubble window modifications, this aircraft provides pilots with enhanced visibility for precision utility work, making it ideal for extended construction projects and utility maintenance operations with proven reliability and lower operating costs.
Agusta 119: This single-engine platform excels in precision work and confined area operations, with an external load capacity of 2,650 pounds. The aircraft features advanced longline systems and bubble window configurations that provide exceptional pilot visibility for utility construction work. Its advanced avionics, HEC capability, and exceptional maneuverability make it particularly valuable for power line maintenance in challenging terrain. The seven seat passenger configuration makes it ideal for transporting construction crews and charter operations. This high performance light helicopter boasts 1000+hp making it the fastest and most powerful helicopter in its class with exceptional range and endurance.
Bell 430: The newest addition to the fleet exemplifies HP Helicopters' commitment to advanced technology, offering exceptional speed and long-range capabilities that make it ideal for overwater operations, remote areas, and rapid response missions. With twin-engine reliability and sophisticated mission equipment, the Bell 430 delivers exceptional performance in aerospace research and development support missions while providing the speed and range necessary for extended operations over open water. These Single Pilot IFR/Night Vision Goggle certified helicopters are fast and powerful. With high skid gear, 300 gallon fuel capacity, good high density altitude performance and many utility configurations, these helicopters outperform the competition like the Sikorsky S76 and other similar medium-sized transport category helicopters.
The company's Human External Cargo (HEC) competencies have become particularly valuable for utility and construction projects where traditional methods prove insufficient. This specialized service allows HP Helicopters to transport personnel safely to remote work sites that would otherwise be inaccessible to conventional transportation methods or physically taxing to access on foot.
Mobile Maintenance and Support Infrastructure
One of HP Helicopters' key differentiators is its fleet of mobile maintenance units, mobile crew living quarters, and customized fuel support vehicles. These extensively modified support trucks, trailers and vehicles enable the company to provide comprehensive maintenance and operational support for each helicopter type, in the most remote locations. This mobile capability ensures aircraft availability and operational readiness whether working in urban environments, remote wilderness areas, or challenging locations like the Grand Canyon National Park and offshore islands.
Grand Canyon National Park Water Pipeline Project
Currently, HP Helicopters is conducting one of its most challenging and inspiring long-term operations in Grand Canyon National Park, supporting the critical water pipeline infrastructure project. This complex undertaking has required the establishment of a remote aircraft base camp complete with custom support vehicles and crew housing. The project demonstrates the company's ability to create comprehensive logistical solutions for extended operations in some of the nation's most difficult and environmentally sensitive locations.
The Grand Canyon project showcases HP Helicopters' unique capability to support construction efforts where the combination of difficult terrain, environmental regulations, and logistical challenges would make conventional construction methods impossible or impractical.
Diverse Mission Capabilities Across Industries
Over the past two decades, HP Helicopters has developed expertise across multiple specialized sectors:
Remote Area Construction: The company excels in accessing and supporting construction projects in challenging terrain where traditional equipment cannot operate effectively. They use their fleet to build bridges, damns, tramways, and fences, and deliver heavy construction supplies. HP’s Part 135 certification with ability to carry Hazmat enables passenger and cargo services to support the toughest construction jobs.
Year-Round Utility Infrastructure: HP Helicopters has become a leading provider of critical support for power line construction, utility pole setting, waterline, maintenance, and emergency repairs in all weather conditions across the Western U.S.
Aerial Firefighting: The company’s history is rooted in aerial firefighting and maintains longstanding contracts with both state and federal forestry services nationwide, providing rapid response capabilities for wildfire suppression efforts.
Offshore Operations: Specialized training and equipment enable fast and safe operations over large bodies of water including the open ocean, supporting offshore construction, spacecraft retrieval, vessel resupply, and top secret aerospace research and development missions. HP Helicopters supports leading aerospace companies with flight testing and research mission capabilities.
Mexico Operations: HP Helicopters extends its services into Mexico, providing aerial support for the off-road racing community including vehicle extraction, emergency response and fire suppression, and helicopter lift services. The company has supported many successful race teams and offroad-sanctioned events.
Exceptional Maintenance Team and Capabilities
Supporting HP Helicopters' diverse fleet requires an equally exceptional team of highly skilled mechanics. The company's maintenance team has developed specialized expertise across multiple aircraft types, enabling rapid turnaround times and maintaining the high availability rates critical for time-sensitive operations. This maintenance capability, combined with the mobile support units, allows HP Helicopters to maintain operational readiness even in the most remote locations.
Another key differentiator is HP Helicopters' in-house custom fabrication shop, which performs specialized modifications for their support vehicles, fuel trucks, mobile aircraft maintenance units, and mobile crew living quarters. This fabrication capability extends to supporting the company's off-road race team operations. The ability to design and manufacture custom solutions in-house provides HP Helicopters with unmatched flexibility and responsiveness, adapting equipment to meet specific mission requirements.
Leadership’s Perspectives on Two Decades of Growth
"High Performance Helicopters has always been the type of company that finds solutions to our clients’ most difficult problems," said Brad Bauder, President & CEO. "When cranes can't reach a location and humans have difficulty accessing a job site, we solve it with helicopters. That problem-solving mentality has driven our growth for 20 years and continues to open new opportunities as we look toward the future."
Nicholas Clesceri, General Manager, emphasized the human element behind the company's success: "I'm incredibly proud of the exceptional team of absolute professionals we've assembled over the past 20 years – our pilots, mechanics, ground personnel, and support staff. This team elevates our safety culture and contributes to our longevity in this demanding industry. Our people are truly our greatest assets."
Significant Growth and Infrastructure Development
The company has experienced substantial growth over the past two decades, expanding its capabilities through additional aircraft types for specific missions, a growing fleet of custom support vehicles, increased hangar space, enhanced office facilities, and offsite crew housing near its corporate headquarters at Redlands Municipal Airport (KREI) in California. This infrastructure investment supports both the growing fleet and the expanding team of professionals required for complex operations.
Uncompromising Safety Culture
Safety remains the cornerstone of HP Helicopters' operations. The company maintains an exceptional safety record through rigorous training programs, comprehensive maintenance procedures, and a culture that prioritizes safety above all other considerations. Every mission is planned and executed with the fundamental principle that all crew members return home safely.
"Our safety culture isn't just about procedures and training – though those are critical," noted Bauder. "It's about creating an environment where every team member feels empowered to speak up about safety concerns and where we never compromise safety for schedule or cost considerations."
Looking Forward
As HP Helicopters enters its third decade of operations, the company continues to invest in new technologies, expanded capabilities, and the exceptional pilots and maintenance personnel who make complex missions successful. The combination of proven experience, modern and customized equipment, and unwavering safety standards, positions the company for continued growth in an evolving aviation services market.
Watch HP Helicopters in Action: YouTube Video Link - HP Helicopters: 20 Years of Excellence
About High Performance Helicopters
Founded in 2005, High Performance Helicopters specializes in heavy lift operations, aerial firefighting, utility infrastructure support, remote area construction, aerospace R&D, and off-road motorsports missions. Based in Redlands, California, the company operates nationwide with mobile maintenance capabilities and specialized support infrastructure. HP Helicopters maintains Part 135 certification and operates in support of diverse mission requirements throughout the Western U.S. and Mexico.
READ MORE ROTOR PRO: https://justhelicopters.com/Magazine
WATCH ROTOR PRO YOUTUBE CHANNEL: https://buff.ly/3Md0T3y
You can also find us on
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/rotorpro1
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/rotorpro1
Twitter - https://twitter.com/justhelicopters
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/rotorpro1