Pro Joshua Montour RP: What is your current position?


I currently work as the assistant chief helicopter pilot at Tampa Bay Aviation. Tampa Bay Aviation is the largest helicopter flight school in the area; we have four locations across the bay: KCLW, KPIE, KSPG, and KVDF. Tampa Bay Aviation offers Part 141 and Part 61 courses from private through CFI, and CFII and ATP Part 61. We also work with the VA, so we can accommodate veterans as well. We are one of the largest fixed- wing and helicopter flight schools on Florida’s west coast. I also work as a part-time ENG pilot for Sky Helicopters, and a part- time charter pilot and check airman for Skyway Aviation.


RP: Tell me about your first experience with helicopters.


My first experience with helicopters was in the Navy. I was stationed with a strike fighter squadron, VFA-94, and we were attached to the USS Carl Vinson, CVN 70. I would see helicopters taking off and landing on the flight deck all the time between missions. I always thought helicopters were amazing, but I thought only military officers were allowed to fly helicopters.


RP: How did you get your start in the helicopter industry?


In the Navy, I was a plane captain on F-18 fighter jets. Part of my job was to set up the cockpit for the pilots. When I sat in that seat, I would dream of flying and how exhilarating it must be. I was always jealous of the pilots as they returned from their missions with a huge grin on their face. That made me wonder what they were doing that made them so happy.


RP: When and how did you choose the helicopter industry? Or did it choose you?


I guess you could say the helicopter industry chose me. I was getting out of the Navy and I didn’t know what I was going to do with my career. My wife found a brochure from a flight school and said, “You should go be a pilot.” I told her it was too


10 Jan/Feb 2024


RP: Where did you get your start flying or maintaining professionally?


I got started right here with Tampa Bay Aviation. Throughout my training I never wanted to instruct; I thought it was too difficult and I didn’t feel like having someone else try to crash the helicopter with me in it. Once I started teaching, I fell in love with it. Helping someone achieve their goals brought more joy to me than I ever thought it would. People all around me say getting paid to fly is the best thing ever. I disagree. Seeing your students’ face light up when the examiner tells them they passed, and thinking back over the journey you both went through to get to that moment, is the best thing ever.


RP: If you were not in the helicopter industry, what else would you see yourself doing?


I would probably be doing wildland firefighting. I got my degree in land management, and I love being outdoors.


RP: What do you enjoy doing on your days off?


I take my boys fishing, on bike rides or just hang out with them at home. If it’s not the middle of the summer, we like to go to


expensive and there was no way. She mentioned they would take my GI Bill, so I called them and signed up! As it was getting closer to the start date, the school called me to confirm I was still interested. I was! They then asked what airframe I wanted to fly. I was puzzled as I thought I was only allowed to fly airplanes. The woman on the phone said I could choose between airplanes and helicopters.


I asked, “What’s harder to learn?”


She answered, “Most people say helicopters are harder.” “Sign me up for that,” I said.


Meet a otor


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