Success and Safety
Near the end of 2016, the regulatory clouds finally lifted for Gunship Helicopters. After a stormy battle, the team reached a resolution with the FAA. Their plans were approved, they purchased the perfect plot of land for operations, and the Part 135 operation was moved to Las Vegas. In 2017, Gunship Helicopters was ready for business.
As anyone would imagine, there are many different aspects to keeping operations safe at Gunship. This is where general manager Scanlon comes in. He describes his job as “Identifying the vision of the company, quantifying and standardizing that process, and then training the entire force on it.” In short, find a process that works for the company and standardize
it. All staff must be properly equipped to handle any situation that comes their way. Luckily, the Fahnestocks and Scanlon are already experts on the subject. Gunship Helicopters was built on anticipating and overcoming adversity.
Scanlon says perhaps the most important concept to teach staff is how to handle stress, whether it be stress from another staff member or stress from clientele. “You must remember what they are going through and how they are feeling.” We all know how passengers in a helicopter can get, especially those who are not familiar with the setting. There can be odd mishaps or events. In an operation that involves a helicopter with no doors and a machine gun, the stress level needs to stay at a minimum. Scanlon efficiently equips the Gunship Helicopters team to hazards and risks.
minimize
While Gunship Helicopters’ clientele varies, daily operations typically consist of everyday tourists in search of a unique experience. However,
make the operation open and known to everyone. Scanlon says, “You name it; we
do it.” Gunship offers an accessible setup for ordinary civilians, military academies, professional training units, and even those just interested in media or photography opportunities. The company’s dedicated staff makes these opportunities possible and strives to provide an exceptional experience.
Gunship Helicopters has maintained continual success despite challenges. “The biggest problem we had when we opened was getting people to know we existed. They don’t Google it, because they don’t know about it,” says Robert. “What everyday person intuitively Googles ‘shooting machine guns out of helicopters excursion?’”
the goal is to
Regardless, from 2018 to 2019, Gunship Helicopters nearly doubled its business. “On average right now, we are shooting about 50,000 rounds of ammunition a month. That equates to about 120 people a month,” Robert says. They even had one January day when they flew almost 50 people. Most business that comes through the door is by word of mouth.
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May/June 2020
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