I have experience in low level flying, mountainous terrain, and sling loading in several types of helicopters including: Robinson R44, R22, Astar BA, Astar B2, & MD 500 (C,D, & E models).

When my wife and I decided we wanted to go into business together, we discussed how we could make it even in a recession.  We considered break-evens, cash flow, what the name of our company should be, the design and colors of our logo, the layout of the website, but most importantly, our goals and aspirations.

From a young age, I was fascinated with anything mechanical. I love learning how things work, taking them apart, and putting them back together. I come from a long line of men who love working with their hands, and I was no different. In 2002, while working for Claremore Custom Cycles for three years as a small engine mechanic, I began studying Airframe & Power Plant Mechanics at Tulsa Technology Center. It was here that I learned about helicopters. I was amazed with these machines and realized I no longer wanted to fix them, but fly them.

So, in 2004, I attended flight school at Vortex Helicopters, now known as Bristow Academy. After flight school, I was hired by Armstrong Helicopters in Laredo, TX in 2005 as a pilot. It was here in Laredo where I met my wife Cathy who grew up with ranching in her blood; she comes from a family with an 80-year history in the business of ranching.  When I met her in 2007, I was headed to Alaska to work as a Glacier Tour Pilot in order to gain more experience and compensate for the slow South Texas summer season. Flying in Alaska was an amazing experience, and I continue to go to Alaska every summer now as a Utility Pilot.

Upon returning from my first tour in Alaska, Cathy began pursuing a Ranch Management Certificate at Texas Christian University in Fort Worth, Texas. With our entrepreneurial spirits, we melded my love for mechanics and aviation with her passion and experience for business and ranching. By merging our expertise, we have created a successful business and plan to keep growing and serving our clients.

What makes Dragonfly Aviation so successful?
It is our dedication and passion for preserving wildlife and helping to manage domestic animals. Although our focus is Wildlife Surveys, Wildlife Captures, Cattle Work, and Predator Control, we have an unwavering desire to provide as many services to our clients as possible. We are an expert resource in aerial ranch management not only for our clients, but also for our community. We feel it is important to serve the community by sharing information via our company’s social media outlets discussing subjects such as aviation, wildlife conservation, farm & ranch management, and range preservation to name a few. Our success wouldn’t be complete without educating our community and clients about these very important topics. As owner and pilot, I promise to continue educating myself in all areas of aviation and provide my clients with the best helicopter experience possible.                        Remember, you can’t manage what you don’t measure.