The company’s name was baked 20 years ago from an odd mix of ingredients that included a nickname, some external inspiration, and perhaps a pinch of spite. Prior to co-founding Maverick Helicopters, Greg was a minority owner in another helicopter operator in the Vegas area. When it came to the business and operations side of the helicopters, he was at odds with the other owners on many occasions. For example, one of his philosophies was: “The helicopters eat first.” In other words, make sure everything related to running the helicopters was amply provided and paid for prior to the owners taking anything. His consistent desire to do most things contrary to his partners earned him the nickname “Maverick.” So when the time came to break free and start his own company, it was a no-brainer.
as the hangar floor sweeper and aircraft washer. From that first helicopter in 1996, Maverick’s fleet has grown to 44 Airbus EC130 helicopters. The company now employs 350 people, including 80 pilots and 60 maintenance personnel. By mid- 2015 they will have added three more helicopters.
In addition to its helicopter operations, Maverick Airlines was formed in 2008 and currently operates six fixed-wing aircraft flying to the Grand Canyon as well as charter flights. In 2009, another division, Mustang Helicopters, was launched to provide flights departing from Henderson Executive Airport to the Grand Canyon. Over the years, Maverick Helicopters
HUMBLE BEGINNINGS
In 1996, Maverick Helicopters’ flight operations were officially launched in the tourism capital of the world: Las Vegas — a destination known for high rollers and over-the-top service. The company mission is to provide the finest level of service, as expected by the VIP guests of the resorts and hotels in the City of Entertainment.
Despite its current appearance, Maverick Helicopters’ humble beginning was not all that different from most startups fraught with dirty hard work, long days, and sleepless nights. Armed with one helicopter, the Rochnas set out to build a helicopter tour operator their way … the Maverick way. Greg was the tour pilot, the passenger briefer, as well
32 February 2015
has received an array of travel industry accolades. It is the only company in the world to twice be named to the Travel Channel’s “Top 10 Best Helicopter Thrills in the World.”
It has also been involved
with numerous filming projects, including work for NBC, CBS, ABC, Fox, E! Entertainment Television, Food Network, Travel Channel, Golf Channel, Discovery Channel, and movie studio DreamWorks. In 2014, Maverick was awarded the Best of Las Vegas award by the Las Vegas Review-Journal, was a winner in the Best of Nevada survey by Nevada Magazine, and also was awarded the prestigious Southern Nevada Hotel Concierge Association’s Best Tour Company award for the fourth consecutive year.
HIRING, TRAINING, AND KEEPING PILOTS
Some people might think flying tours is a cakewalk, and in some cases it might be. In The Ditch (tour pilot slang for the Grand Canyon) there are many factors that can make tours very challenging. For example, extreme high desert temperatures create high density altitudes. Combine that with helicopters that are loaded either at or near maximum gross weight, and suddenly pilot technique becomes very important. Physiologically, long days in extreme temperatures can have an impact on performance. Physical endurance aside, much of the game is psychological. Pilots are required to interact with dozens of passengers all day, every day. They are required to be at the top of their social game in order to give their customers more than just a flight in a helicopter. Rather, they are expected to create an amazing experience. Second, performing similar flights over and over again, to the wrong person, may seem monotonous. When a pilot views something as monotonous, complacency can set in. Everyone in this business knows that there is zero room for complacency in the cockpit, as it is a common link in the accident error chain. The point is that it takes a certain type
of person to succeed at flying tours: the job requires much more than just flying a helicopter.
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