EXECUTIVE WATCH


RANDY ROWLES President, Helicopter Institute By Rick Weatherford


You likely know Randy Rowles from his training commentary, “Checkride,” in every Rotorcraft Pro issue. However, you may not know that when Rowles takes off his “press” hat, there are more distinguished hats in his closet. He is president and owner of Helicopter Institute Inc.,


vice


chairman of the Helicopter Association Board of Directors, an FAA designated pilot examiner, and a regular teacher at the annual HeliSuccess career conference. Yes, just as Forrest Gump wore “lots of shoes,” Rowles wears, and has worn, lots


Yet, he has done much more than train individual pilots. He has brought industry- leading standards and capabilities to the small-business level, and as senior vice president of operations, he played a role in transforming Era Group into a publicly


of hats. The difference between them is that Forrest was mostly just a witness to history, whereas Rowles has actively participated in and contributed to the rotorcraft industry, especially in the helicopter training sector. “I love the training space,” he says.


traded aviation company on the New York Stock Exchange. The day Era went public, Rowles was on the exchange floor to ring the closing bell.


Randy Rowles has traveled a long and winding road that took a high


school


dropout from scrubbing toilet bowl rings in hangars to an accomplished executive pilot with an MBA degree ringing Wall Street’s bell. His journey from grounded beginnings to high altitudes is inspiring...


14 Jan/Feb 2021


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