Pro Tony Minnis
Meet a otor
Minnis pilots an OH-58 on OCSO patrol. RPMN: What is your current position?
I recently retired as Aviation Section captain for the Orange County Sheriff’s Office in Florida. The section has four helicopters, one fixed-wing aircraft, and 24 full-time personnel consisting of pilots, flight observers and mechanics. Extra part- time personnel are available as needed.
RPMN: Tell me about your first experience with helicopters.
My first flight in a helicopter was when I was assigned as an A-4 plane captain with VMA-131 in the U.S. Marine Corps. We flew on a CH-53 from Willow Grove Naval Air Station in Pennsylvania to Lakehurst Naval Air Station in New Jersey. It was a fantastic experience. The pilots were Vietnam veterans who truly enjoyed their work and took time to explain what they were doing as well as how the systems operated on the aircraft. From that point on, I was hooked on becoming a pilot.
RPMN: How did you get your start in helicopters?
I began working as a flight observer with the Orange County Sheriff’s Office Aviation Section, which had both helicopter and fixed-wing aircraft. As I already had a fixed-wing license, I was chosen for a pilot position to fly the fixed-wing aircraft assigned to the section. After a short time, I received my helicopter rating. I was blessed to fly helicopters for the sheriff as a line pilot, as well as to fly part-time for the news media and a tourist operation.
RPMN: When and how did you choose to fly or work on helicopters? Or did they choose you?
As long as I can remember, I had three career goals: firefighter, police officer, and pilot. When I was discharged from the USMC, I became a firefighter/EMT for a fire department in Pennsylvania before transitioning to law enforcement. My original aviation- related plan was to be an airplane pilot for personal and recreational purposes. I never thought that being able to fly helicopters was an option until, being in the right place at the right time, I was selected to become a pilot for the Orange County Sheriff’s Office. Having the opportunity to obtain my helicopter rating was truly a dream come true.
12 July/Aug 2022 RPMN: Where did you get your start professionally?
After I got out of the Marine Corps and started in police work, I began to obtain my fixed-wing ratings starting in 1982. I flew for fun up until I was chosen for a pilot’s position with the Sheriff’s Office in 1999. I flew as a line pilot for years while being promoted through the ranks to lieutenant. For further promotional consideration, I worked in the Traffic and Patrol sections until being promoted to captain where I led the Street Crimes Section and the Traffic Section before returning to aviation as section commander.
RPMN: If you were not in the helicopter industry, what else would you see yourself doing?
As I started my career in law enforcement, that’s where I would have remained. I enjoyed being a cop for many years, so it was where I was happiest. I truly never saw myself getting the opportunity to fly as part of my career. It was definitely a life and career changing experience.
RPMN: What do you enjoy doing on your days off?
Being retired now, I find that I have time to do things that never seemed to make it to the top of the priority list. My family and I love to travel, whether by car, plane, train or boat. And I’ve found myself spending more time at the beach since I grew up in the Ormond Beach area. My next fun goal will be to obtain my seaplane rating though, as I’ve been on several flights and truly enjoy it.
RPMN: What is your greatest career accomplishment to date?
During my time as the Aviation Section captain, we embarked on a mission to upgrade our equipment with the latest technology as well as upgrade our downlink infrastructure. I would have to say that the greatest accomplishment was to obtain a fourth helicopter for the section. Due to the number of hours our section flew, we were constantly in maintenance cycles which, at times, limited our effectiveness. Obtaining that helicopter was a great way to leave the agency.
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84
