Pro
Meet a otor
HEATHER HOWLEY RPMN: WHAT IS YOUR CURRENT POSITION?
I AM THE CEO AND CHIEF PILOT OF INDEPENDENT HELICOPTERS. I’M ALSO A HELICOPTER DESIGNATED PILOT EXAMINER AND RUN MULTIPLE OTHER BUSINESSES.
RPMN: TELL ME ABOUT YOUR FIRST EXPERIENCE WITH HELICOPTERS.
It was pretty much love at first flight. I was living in San Diego and heard a radio ad for a helicopter seminar that included a free helicopter ride. I went for my first flight and fell in love with the sense of freedom I felt. I was bit by the bug and knew almost immediately that this was what I wanted to do, although I didn’t have the money or a clear path to make it happen. I didn’t let that stop me. When you want something bad enough you find a way to make it happen.
RPMN: HOW DID YOU GET YOUR START IN THE HELICOPTER INDUSTRY?
The unglamorous way by working constantly and figuring it out as I went. I earned my ratings and started instructing within two years. My first job was as a certified flight instructor (CFI) working for a company that went bankrupt within six months, then I worked as a Part 135 pilot and CFI for another company before starting Independent Helicopters. I learned that resourcefulness, resilience, and sacrifice is what I needed to build a future in aviation.
RPMN: WHEN AND HOW DID YOU CHOOSE THE HELICOPTER INDUSTRY? OR DID IT CHOOSE YOU?
I think we chose each other. I didn’t have a lifelong childhood dream of becoming a helicopter pilot. In fact, no one in my family or circle of friends had any interest in flying. The freedom, the thrill, the constant learning are all reasons I chose to fly helicopters, but I definitely didn’t set out with the goal of being a helicopter pilot.
RPMN: HOW DID YOU BEGIN YOUR PROFESSIONAL FLYING CAREER?
Early in my career, I worked for different flight schools and a charter company, but I would say I entered my professional flying career in 2008, with less than 500 hours of flight time by creating my own business with Independent Helicopters and leasing my first helicopter.
RPMN: IF YOU WERE NOT IN THE HELICOPTER INDUSTRY, WHAT ELSE WOULD YOU SEE YOURSELF DOING?
I’ve since started several other businesses like Helicopter Online Learning, Empire Heliport and Soar Higher. I’ve also started a scholarship and I’ve written a couple of children’s books to honor my late husband. I think whatever I continue to do will involve building something of my own. Freedom has always been important to me and I’m not sure I could work for someone else at this point.
RPMN: WHAT DO YOU ENJOY DOING ON YOUR DAYS OFF?
I love traveling, spending time with friends and family, being outdoors, learning, mentoring and finding new experiences. I have spent a lot of my life pushing toward the next goal, so these days I’m also learning to appreciate slowing down enough to enjoy what I’ve already built.
RPMN: WHAT IS YOUR GREATEST CAREER ACCOMPLISHMENT TO DATE?
Creating and building Independent Helicopters. There are individual accomplishments I’m incredibly proud of like becoming a Designated Pilot Examiner, accumulating more than 10,000 hours, earning my ATP, and sharing the joy of flying helicopters with others.
Independent Helicopters makes me the most proud. There were multiple times when I nearly lost everything. Continuing to build the company through those moments, while creating opportunities for other pilots and introducing people to aviation, is probably my biggest accomplishment.
RPMN: HAVE YOU EVER HAD AN ‘OH, CRAP’ MOMENT IN HELICOPTERS? CAN YOU SUMMARIZE WHAT HAPPENED?
Absolutely. Anyone who has flown helicopters long enough and says they’ve never had an ‘oh, crap’ moment either has had an extraordinary career or a selective memory.
One of my most significant moments was an engine failure while giving a tour. I lost three of six cylinders in the R44 but managed to land safely with no damage. There were other situations where weather, aircraft performance, another person’s actions, or a rapidly changing situation required an immediate decision that could have led to more ‘oh, crap’ moments. The helicopter doesn’t care about your ego, your schedule, or how badly you want to complete the flight. It’s not a matter of IF something will happen to you; it’s a matter of WHEN. Being aware of your options and the associated risks at all times is what can potentially save your life.
12 Sept/Oct 2026
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