Nevada, in 2014 as chief pilot and was promoted within eight months to director of operations. He oversaw a fleet of up to 29 helicopters, one fixed-wing aircraft, and 60 pilots across three bases in Nevada and Arizona. Mark stayed with the com- pany until it closed in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. “I probably would have stayed there
forever had it not been for the pan- demic,” Mark says. “It was a great combination of tour and utility work, and the team we built was incredible.” Mark landed next at Redding Air
While a flight
instructor at Civic Helicopters in
Carlsbad, California, Mark trained both San Diego County
Sheriff’s Department and San Diego Police Department pilots. (Mark Schlaefli Photo)
I believed I could have a longer career with helicopters than with fixed-wing aircraft.”
A New Career Mark’s foray into aviation began in 2008 at Civic Helicopters in Carlsbad, California, where he completed his ratings, served as a flight instructor, and learned about flying and the industry from owner Chin Tu. Mark also credits 2021–22 VAI (then HAI) chair and Helicopter Institute president Randy Rowles as an early mentor, along with Rotor Pro Editor in Chief Lyn Burks and, in later years, Eric Lincoln, former director of operations for Blue Hawaiian Helicopters. Mark is quick to point out that many more people continue to guide and shape his growth in the industry today. After gaining expertise and flight time at Civic Helicopters,
Mark joined Papillon Grand Canyon Helicopters in southern Nevada in 2010. He flew the Eurocopter EC130 and AS350 for air tours and charters, rising through the ranks to chief pilot.
Mark then moved to Sundance Helicopters in Las Vegas, 28 ROTOR JUNE 2024
Service, a utility operator in Northern California, first serving as chief pilot and then as director of operations, a position he still holds today. At Redding Air Service, he manages a fleet of eight aircraft engaged in power-line construction, human external cargo operations, fire suppression, and other utility services. In 2021, Mark and business partner
John Wells purchased four companies specializing in Part 91 and Part 135 air tour operations in South Dakota, and later in the greater Yellowstone ecosystem in Montana and Wyoming. Te acquisition included Dakota
Rotors, which offers Part 135 on-demand charter services and Part 133 external-load operations. Dakota Rotors also provides pilots, aircraft, and maintenance to the other companies in the group. Its fleet of nine aircraft comprise Robinson R44s and R66s, Bell 206B-3s, and Bell 206L-4 LongRangers. “At the height of our business in the summer, we have about 30 employees and 18 pilots,” says Mark.
Building a Workforce Workforce development will be one of Mark’s chief priorities as VAI chair. Tour operations like his have historically been an important stop for new pilots, enabling many to gain hours and experience before moving on to other missions. “I’ve hired a lot of pilots over the years, probably north of 225. A majority of those represent lower-time pilots who are breaking into the industry, building time and, more importantly, experience,” says Mark, who has 3,600 flight
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