New for the 2010-11 winter season, Pacific Crest Heli-Guides in partnership with HeliTahoe is offering helicopter skiing and snowboarding on more than 100,000 acres of reserved terrain consisting of open bowls, perfectly spaced trees and north-facing chutes and couloirs. Plenty of options for the non-skier and throughout the year including scenic flights, mountain-top wine tasting and dinners and other guided activities such as snowshoeing, hiking, biking, fishing and more!

Call today at 888.792.9222 for further details or to book your reservation.

PacificCrestHeliGuides.com

"Adventure takes flight with Pacific Crest Heli-Guides!"

Max
Tony
Spencer
Paul
Harry
Gary
Dustin

Max aka "Scooby Doo”

Max began his helicopter flight training at HeliTahoe in 2009 after flying fixed-wing aircraft for almost 4 years.

After being around all types of aircraft, Max felt that flying helicopters would be something new and exciting. He also felt that there are some amazing career opportunities as a helicopter pilot…opportunities he doesn’t currently have as a fixed-wing pilot.

One career that interests Max immensely is that of a heliski pilot. Max has a love of skiing and the mountains, so piloting those seeking a heliskiing adventure appeals to Max on a personal and business level.

Max could never envision living anywhere else besides Lake Tahoe and being able to learn to fly in one of the most beautiful cities in North America is something Max appreciates. The fact that he works nights and that HeliTahoe allows him to fly in the early afternoon each day, really is a plus for Max. He still finds plenty of time to enjoy his other passions of whitewater kayaking and hiking.

Tony aka "The Maggot”

Tony grew up in the central valley of California. After high school he went to college to obtain a teaching credential and play basketball on scholarship.

After college, and looking for work, Tony decided he needed to do something that he could really love for a career.

Tony had always dreamed about being a pilot. After researching schools and aviation careers and finding that helicopters kept sticking his mind, he discovered Claudio's school online and had to make a visit.

Once the demo ride was over, Tony knew that flying helicopters was his passion. He enrolled in HeliTahoe a few weeks later and is convinced it's one of the best decisions of his life.

Currently Tony is working to obtain his commercial helicopter license, CFI, and CFII. When asked about his experience at HeliTahoe, he had this to say “the school is great, the people are awesome, and flying here is amazing!”

Spencer aka "Tail Pipe”
& Chief Pilot Claudio

Ever since he was young, Spencer always dreamed about being a pilot. He now gets to live that dream by attending HeliTahoe Helicopter School in South Lake Tahoe.

Spencer is 22 and was born in Bay City, MI. He moved to California last year from Michigan to start training. Spencer was attending Central Michigan University, not knowing what he was going to do with his life. All Spencer knew was that he wasn't happy.

Spencer then started to grasp the possibilities of pilot training, moved out West on a whim and started training immediately!

Spencer believes that “If you have a passion for something, you should pursue it and not settle for anything less.” Spencer is living proof of this…he couldn't be happier at HeliTahoe.

Paul aka "Baby Huey”
& Chief Pilot Claudio

Paul began his helicopter flight training at HeliTahoe in June 2009 at the age of 17. He gained valuable flight experience and ground school training during the 2009 summer and traveled to Tahoe to fly on weekends during his senior year of high school in 2009-2010.

Paul is currently finishing his training for his private pilot’s license and will begin commercial pilot training in the summer of 2010. He plans a career in law enforcement in the CHP and will apply to the air unit, once he joins the CHP as an officer. Paul will be attending California State University Sacramento in the fall, majoring in Criminal Justice.

The next four years for Paul will be spent by attending college during the week and flying helicopters on the weekend. Paul hopes to work for HeliTahoe as a commercial pilot, beginning in the summer of his junior year of college.

Harry aka "Elton John”

Being a pilot has always been an ambitious goal of Harry’s. When he was young, as with many others….he just wanted to do something like flying for selfish reasons: “looking cool and impressing the ladies” were big priorities.

However, after getting his private pilot license and starting to pursue his instrument rating, Harry started to really realize the potential for using these skills to make big differences in the lives of others.

The relatively short history of helicopter flight is one filled with rescuing people who would otherwise be doomed and performing work that would otherwise be impossible. To Harry, what could be better than teaching others how to do these things, especially when these things were just a dream a little over half of a century ago?

Harry shares often that he has found, in his time of learning from Claudio and Christian at Helitahoe, that they are some of the most experienced professional pilot trainers that can be found.

Harry would like to become a safe, effective, and prolific flight instructor. Ultimately, he would like to fly for EMS or firefighting.

Gary aka "The Bugger”

Gary found Helitahoe and Claudio in the spring of 2008 and his only regret is that he didn't sooner!

He feels that perhaps he should have gone into the military after college, but didn’t think he was mature enough at the time. Now at 40 years old, he found a career path that is challenging, stimulating and most of all FUN!

Gary has held various sales and technical jobs that most, if not all, were completely unfulfilling for him....until he decided to be a pilot. Gary had the opportunity to move anywhere and train with anyone and out of all of the schools and instructors he could have chosen; amazingly he found Claudio right in his own "back yard".

Gary is originally from Northern California and when asked about his experience at HeliTahoe, he states “I could not have found a better, more competent and demanding flight instructor. This is not a plug or a pitch, it’s a fact….Claudio has been as committed to my success as any instructor I could have wanted or needed. He will make you work hard for your achievement but, in the end, his instruction and his level of knowledge is second to none!!”

Gary currently holds a private pilot helicopter license and is actively pursuing his commercial and instrument rating. His goal is to become a commercial pilot and make the cockpit “his office.” Gary has always dreamed of being a pilot but now it’s becoming a reality!

Gary highly recommends to anyone interested in becoming a pilot, that they should, if nothing else, take a flight with Claudio…it is something they will never forget and never regret!!

Dustin aka "Road Runner”

Dustin first became interested in helicopters after a heliski trip in Alaska. The heliski company owner mentioned a school in Alaska and asked if he wanted to pursue a career in helicopters. He never thought people could actually be paid to land on top of mountains, so immediately said “sign me up.”

After a few training flights in Alaska, Dustin decided to attend school in Hawaii and received his private/instrument license there.

Dustin then learned about Claudio's school in Lake Tahoe (his home town) and at 6500 feet thought there would be no better place to finish his schooling. He headed back to Tahoe and began training at HeliTahoe.

Dustin has completed his commercial pilot requirements and is about to take a check ride, where upon successful completion, will begin his training for instructor rating. One day soon, he will be paid to land on top of mountains.