The Management Team
Prior to his role at Los Angeles Helicopters, Michael was the Director of Customer Service for a 300 Million dollar a year biomedical engineering firm headquartered in Australia. His first executive assignment was a relocation to their Los Angeles division, where he built synergies between its domestic and international customer service initiatives to help maintain the company's competitive edge - outstanding customer service.
Michael started flying airplanes as a hobbie in Melbourne, Australia, where he obtained his private and instrument licenses. In the summer of 2000, he pursued his fascination in helicopters by transitioning to the R22. Following this accomplishment, Michael joined Andre Hutchings (Director of Operations) to form Los Angeles Helicopters and held a silent role as his business partner, providing guidance on building a solid business infrastructure for the flight training facility. Due to Michael's outstanding customer service ethic, the flight school grew well beyond expectations.
In January of 2003, Michael resigned from his role as Director of Customer Service and assumed the position of CEO of Los Angeles Helicopters where he plans on building a world class helicopter flight service facility.
Andre is a seasoned pilot who has logged well over 10,000 helicopter hours across an impressive array of flight missions. Andre is also a Certified Flight Instructor and currently holds a Command Pilot position with Columbia Helicopters, the world’s largest heavy lift commercial helicopter operation. He holds licenses in single engine, twin engine and heavy lift helicopters, including the large twin rotor Boeing Vertol and Chinook.
In the 1990's, Andre helped numerous Law Enforcement agencies build awareness on the importance of air-to-ground support using helicopters. He devised several cost effective flight service strategies based on the versatile R22 platform and his solutions helped several Law Enforcement agencies afford air support for the first time. Andre personally flew as a police pilot for over three years in the Southern California basin, and was instrumental in setting up an airborne Law Enforcement program in St Maarten.
Andre's devotion to a higher standard of flight operations has earned Los Angeles Helicopters recognition as a premier training facility that provides highly trained candidates for hire to the commercial helicopter industry. Andre has worked hard to incorporate his 'real-world' flight experience into every training course offered at Los Angeles Helicopters. When not on duty flying twin rotor systems, he is busy training students in the reliable R22 making sure that they develop the skill sets that will make them better pilots.
The most recent addition to the training syllabus has been an industry recognized Long Line course that is being taught by Andre, to date LAH has trained Pilots from some of the largest Heavy lift companies in the world as well as Police Depts and Civilian pilots alike, the course continues to gain momentum and the goal of LAH and Andre is to make it a world recognized utility long line course that will appeal to helicopter pilots all across the world.
Gil's passion for flight started at the early age of five when he got his first ride in an MD 500. From that day forward he admits he became hooked on the fascination surrounding helicopters and made a decision early on to dedicate his professional life to flying helicopters. After graduating from 'La Providence' in northern France. In the mid 90's, Gil moved to Martinique to help out in the family business and save up the money needed to pursue his flight training.
Since obtaining his Instructor rating in 97, Gil has trained countless individuals and numerous law enforcement officers how to be safe helicopter pilots. Gil’s passion for training people how to fly helicopters has motivated him to create the most comprehensive, industry respected professional flight training programs available. He has dedicated his career pathway to flight training.
In spite of his experience flying the AS-350 and Bell-206, his helicopter of choice for training remains to be the R22, as he strongly believes the instincts and habits one learns in the R22 makes pilots safer in anything they move on to fly.
Gil also holds a position as a Robinson Helicopter Safety course Pilot with the Robinson Helicopter Company in Torrance, CA, this is a sought after and Prestigious position that requires a high degree of skill and professionalism to be even considered for the Job. Gil’s continued and consistent effort to strive for the best out of each and every student made him the perfect match for a position with Robinson and he continues to share his skills and knowledge with all whom he comes in contact with both at Robinson and LAH.
Lars has over 12 years experience servicing a variety of turbine and piston helicopters. In addition to his standard A&P license, he holds the highest mechanic credential awarded known as an Inspection Authorization. He further holds an impressive degree in Computer Aided Drawing (CAD), which has proven invaluable as a design tool for his many inventions. In 1994, Lars modified several civilian R22 helicopters to be used for law enforcement work. His modifications to the R22 were instrumental in positioning the R22 to be a low cost alternative for several police forces. Between 1997 and 2004, Lars held the position of President of US Helicopters. Lars built success on his solid maintenance record by exclusively focusing his resources on the maintenance and overhauls of R22's and R44's. His attention to detail and commitment to reproducing factory quality work has earned him recognition and respect within the Southern California Robinson community. In July of 2004, Los Angeles Helicopters and US Helicopters merged to position itself as a complete service organization, and placed Lars as its Director of Maintenance to assure superior maintenance service to its customers.