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Company History

Homestead Helicopters, Inc. (HHI) was incorporated in 1996, in Missoula, Montana. We began with a single piston powered helicopter offering flight instruction, and quickly added a Robinson R44 to offer sight seeing tours in the surrounding mountains. HHI then went on to become an On-Demand Part 135 Air Carrier. In 1998 we were awarded our first US Government contract performing snow surveys for the USDA/ NRCS accomplishing over 1000 high altitude deep snow landings in the Northern Rocky Mountains. HHI added a Bell 206 BIII Jet Ranger that same year. With the addition of this turbine helicopter, HHI entered the utility helicopter market. HHI is a full service helicopter charter company providing helicopter service ranging from aerial photography, charter, scenic tours to seismic support, fire fighting, construction, and advanced flight training.

After several years of civilian utility and long-line work delivering all types of loads from air conditioning units atop the Home Depot to delivering outfitter supplies in the back country, HHI bid and was awarded a Call When Needed contract with the Lolo National Forest in 2001. With this entry into the fire fighting industry, HHI went on to add a Bell 206 L4 Long Ranger in the fall of 2002. This addition allowed us to bid and be awarded exclusive use initial attack fire contracts in Albuquerque, NM, in Ronan, MT, and for Aerial Ignition in Forest, MS. HHI was re-awarded the Ronan and Forest contracts in 2008 and has continued to work under call when needed for the past seven seasons performing all aspects of fire support and suppression, as well as spring/fall project work to include aerial ignition and aerial seeding.

In 2005 we built and moved into our new 10,000 square foot hangar located at Missoula International Airport (the fire fighting hub for the Northern Rockies Region 1) to better serve our expanding needs. HHI acquired another Jet Ranger, and in January of 2009 we took delivery of a new 206 L4 Long Ranger. These additions allowed HHI to further our presence in the fire fighting arena, as well as open the HHI Advanced Training Academy. Our academy is designed to provide superior training for the professional pilot in order to maximize safety, proficiency, and risk mitigation in the mountain, utility, and forestry sectors. With this solid foundation, fleet of aircraft, and talented experienced staff, HHI is ready to set the standard in the industry as we move into the next decade and the future.

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