South Lake Tahoe, CA
Who are you flying for currently?
I am a Pilot at Reno Tahoe Helicopters in South Lake Tahoe, CA
Where are you flying and for what company?
I’m in South Lake Tahoe, CA working for Reno Tahoe Helicopters (Field Elevation is about 6300’)
What type of work are you doing now?
I do Scenic Tours, Photo/Videography, a little flight instruction, Aerial Marksmanship Course flying (target shooting from the copter with AR-15’s), Marijuana Eradication (spotting grow operations from the air with the DEA)
Tell us about your career path.
I basically went to school for business and came up through the finance industry. I was a financial advisor at Merrill Lynch, I did some private portfolio management but primarily managed large company retirement funds (like 401k’s). I did my first intro flight in Duluth MN in a 300C and fell in love with the feeling of hovering…that and seeing it from above made Duluth MN look cool for the first time ever. From there I started training at Mountain Ridge Helicopters in Robinsons and got my first 100 hrs there, then moved over to Mauna Loa. It was a fun path. I knew I didn’t belong at a desk…even if the money was there. Happy to report that I’m living the dream 🙂
What do you find unique, challenging, or fulfilling about your job?
I love the diversity in this work. There is no time to get bored doing what I do because it changes every day. The weather conditions change constantly and Lake Tahoe is in a basin, which has given me even more experience reading winds.
Do you have any other comments or suggestions for those just beginning in the industry?
My advice for anyone getting into flying is to work very hard on the ground. A thorough understanding of aerodynamics, systems, and weather will keep you alive. I also highly recommend getting some high-altitude and mountain training since that seems to be a common denominator on preferred job requirements and I wouldn’t have even been considered for the job I have if I didn’t have the mountain and high altitude time from my previous training.
