Jerry Trimble Helicopters

Backdated.

There have been a few instances over the past few days where I have gotten off of work to drive to the classroom at Hillsboro to find out that we're canceled for one reason or another. Today the projector was unavailable and we canceled. 


Not acceptable.


Today I met with Jerry Trimble of Jerry Trimble Helicopters.   Actually, Jerry bought me dinner. Jerry, Alison his wife, and I have a meet and greet at the Baja Fresh.  I've been pretty dis-heartened about what has been going on w/ HAI and I'm starting to question my decision to stay with them.  Fact is, I'm not getting what I need from the school and they are getting what they need from me... my money.


Anyway, Jerry comes highly recommended by a lot of people I respect. He is a small, one helicopter outfit out of McMinneville (KMMV).  Why would this take value over the 18 helicopter shop at Hillsboro Aviation?  Because I'm tired of throwing my money at someone who cold care less about my training.


From friends and the dinner, I learned that Jerry has flown almost everything out there with a rotor blade.  EMS, Tourism, Sky Cranes, you name it.  I have no idea how many hours he has, but it is upwards of 15,000 or 20,000.  Yes, you read that correctly.  35 years doing this.

Here is a little snippet from his website.

I received my A&P certificate at Northrup University in Inglewood, California in 1978 and started working for Frank Robinson as an A&P mechanic in January of 1979. My first day on the job I was selected to fly with Frank in ship s/n 002. Serial number 001 had done a nose dive into the ocean before I got there so we were flying the backup. It was something for me to be the unqualified flight test engineer with Frank Robinson flying the prototype on my first day. I spent two years with Robinson and worked my way up to production test flying. Bob Golden one of Frank's certification test pilots flew with me to help me get my CFI Helicopter in September of 1980 in an R-22.

In December of 1980 I started Hillsboro Helicopters in Hillsboro, Oregon. I was a one man band in the beginning. In 1992 when I sold the company to Ed Cooley we were over 40 people strong with over 25 aircraft. Since then I have flown corporate turbo props, fought fires in the skycrane, flown EMS in BO-105 and the EC-135. I have been a Chief Pilot, Director of Operations, Director of Maintenance and a Chief Flight Instructor for both airplanes and helicopters.

Impressive, right?


He was equally impressive face to face.  He gave me the CFI Syllabus he uses and asked "if you end up not going with me for my training, I ask that you destroy this.  Fair?".   That is the attitude I really appreciate. Impress me with your skill, give me your trust and then see what happens.


I think I'll be seeing more of Jerry.