In aviation, experience and expertise is so important. Tom has now flown over 5000 hours, over 2000 hours of night flying.
For Tom it started at Metropolitan Helicopter in St. Louis where he provided Aerial Photography and Guided Tours. Because it was a smaller company, he worked side by side with the mechanics to learn all he could about these powerful machines. From there, he started his own helicopter business.
One day while out for a flight, Tom found a working meth lab and notified law enforcement. The sheriff was so impressed with Tom's natural abilities to spot criminal activity, he was asked to attend the police academy and became a deputy to aid in the pursuit of drug trafficking and also help out in search and rescue missions.
Tom has been coming to the lake since he was a child and finally bought a condo in 2016. Now with his wife Kimber by his side, Tom is best known for being the "red and white helicopter chasing boats with photographers hanging out the side". Tom loves what he does and loves being able to do it right here at the Lake.
Next time you see Tom get off of the famous red and white helicopter be sure to say hello and thank him for being #DownWithOPC !
OPC thanks you Tom, for all you do for us and LOTO!