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History |
Don Ambabo |
Gary Spidell |
AeroWest Helicopters, Inc. (AWH) was started in 1984 in Las Vegas NM and immediately started operations in Albuquerque. We were first based at the international airport and have since moved to Coronado and then to Double Eagle II airport in 1987. We have operated Bell helicopters from the beginning starting with one Bell Jetranger. We are presently the only full service helicopter company in New Mexico.
From the very start AWH has been a company that has providing on demand charter to the general public and we have always had our own maintenance department to maintain our aircraft. Over the years we have worked for many New Mexico based companies and individuals, as well as the state and federal government.
We have been a US Forest Service and Department of Interior contractor since 1988 and have held contracts with one or the other of these agencies every year since then. We have been the sole contractor for the New Mexico Game & Fish since 1986 and have done all their survey and game management work since then on projects like Elk counting, and animal relocation.
We usually maintain one or more of our helicopters in Albuquerque for local customers such as real estate, TV stations and photographers while others may be on contract at remote locations. We have participated in 10 major motion pictures, the most recent being White Sands. We have provided movie and camera ships for movies as far away as Acapulco Mexico.
We are now operating five Bell helicopters consisting of two Longrangers and three Jetrangers. We have one on contract with the local CBS affiliate; two have just finished the first year of three-year contracts with the bureau of Indian affairs. We will receive a Bell 205 aircraft the first of December, which is a 14-passenger helicopter capable of carrying 5000 pound of external cargo.
We have just recently completed a 13000 square foot hangar to house the aircraft and do all the maintenance as well as offices for the pilots and mechanics. We have held FAA part 135, 133, and 137 certificates since 1984 and have never had a violation.
We have an excellent safety record and have never had a passenger hurt. We fly an average of 2500 hours per year and with the addition of the new aircraft this should increase measurably. We are looking to expand over the next few years into more large helicopters and the construction industry.
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History |
Don Ambabo |
Gary Spidell |
Shane Herron |
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Earned fixed wing private pilot's license in 1970.
Earned helicopter pilot's license in 1973, and continued to obtain commercial and flight instructor license for helicopters and then added on a commercial and instrument rating for airplanes.
Worked in England for 3 years and returned to the US and went to work for Evergreen Helicopters logging with helicopters in the northwest. I also was the operations manager for Evergreen at their Marana Arizona base for one year while I also flew helicopters and airplanes for them.
In 1978 I went to Indonesia to fly for the oil companies. I flew in Indonesia and Malaysia for 5 years in single and twin-engine helicopters before returning to New Mexico.
Flew for a construction firm in Farmington flying heavy construction external load jobs in their helicopters and airplane shuttles throughout the West.
Founded AeroWest Helicopters, Inc. in July of 1984. I started with one Bell Jet Ranger and have built the company up to 6 total helicopters and one twin-engine airplane. We now operate three Bell Jetrangers, two Bell Longrangers and one Bell Super 205.
Member of the screen actor's guild for 10 years and have participated in two major motion pictures as a pilot/actor.
Over 11,000 hours flying and of that I have 500 mountain flying, 6500 hours, sling / long line, and 3000 hours game management.
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top of page |
History |
Don Ambabo |
Gary Spidell |
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top of page |
History |
Don Ambabo |
Gary Spidell |
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top of page |
History |
Don Ambabo |
Gary Spidell |
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top of page |
History |
Don Ambabo |
Gary Spidell |
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