What Helinet Aviation Services does

Helinet Aviation Services is a private, family-owned helicopter transportation provider headquartered at Van Nuys Airport in Los Angeles, founded in 1987 as West Coast Helicopters and rebranded under its current name in 1998. The company operates across eight distinct service lines: VIP and corporate charter (Sikorsky S76, Leonardo AW109), air medical transport (including a dedicated 24/7 partnership with Children's Hospital Los Angeles running since 1998), electronic news gathering (a fleet of seven Airbus H125 helicopters serving Southern California broadcasters), aerial production for motion pictures and television (utilizing SHOTOVER K1/F1 gyro-stabilized camera systems, the MovieHawk UH-60 Black Hawk, and the Cinejet Aero L-39 Albatros jet), utility and aerial firefighting (under Cal Fire and U.S. Forest Service contracts), Helinet Technologies (custom live video downlink systems, augmented reality mapping, and tactical video distribution for law enforcement and government agencies), aircraft management, and a newly launched rotorcraft external load training program.

Revenue is generated primarily on a per-flight transaction basis across charter, medical, ENG, and production engagements, supplemented by managed services for aircraft owners and professional services revenue from technology integration and training. The customer base spans enterprise, government, healthcare, and film production segments, with named relationships including Children's Hospital Los Angeles, the Los Angeles Police Department Air Support Division, ESPN, ABC7 Los Angeles, Disney, Netflix, and the Gary Sinise Foundation. The company holds FAA Part 135 air carrier and FAA Part 145 Repair Station certifications, maintains a diversified twin- and single-engine fleet, and distributes services through direct charter sales, dedicated partnerships, and government contracts without third-party resellers. Helinet is led by owner-CEO Kathryn Purwin, with President Allison Rakun (appointed 2024) and COO Jorge Gonzalez (appointed 2022, former 38-year LAPD Air Support veteran) overseeing day-to-day operations.

Name

Helinet Aviation Services

Legal name

Helinet Aviation Services, LLC

Website

https://helinet.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1987

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Helinet Aviation Services is a family-owned helicopter operator based at Van Nuys Airport, providing VIP charter, air medical transport, electronic news gathering, aerial film production, aerial firefighting, law enforcement technology, and aircraft management services across Southern California.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Helicopter Aviation Services

NAICS

Nonscheduled Air Transportation (4812), Other Nonscheduled Air Transportation (481219)

SIC

Aircraft & Parts (3720), Aircraft (3721)

akta.pro primary industry

Helicopter Passenger Services (TLAFAAAE)

akta.pro secondary industry

Air Medical Transport (Helicopter/Fixed-Wing) (HLAFANAD)

Keywords

• Helicopter charter services
• Air medical transport
• Aerial cinematography
• Electronic news gathering
• Helicopter fleet management

Headquarters

HQ city

Van Nuys

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. VIP Helicopter Charter Services: Private helicopter charter services for executive transportation, events, and leisure travel. Services include customized itineraries, premium food and beverage service, and ground transportation coordination. Revenue generated on a per-flight transaction basis.
2. Air Medical Transport: Emergency medical helicopter services including patient transport, medical team transportation, and organ transport. Partnership with Children's Hospital Los Angeles providing 24/7 dedicated aircraft coverage.
3. Electronic News Gathering (ENG): Helicopter services for news organizations providing aerial coverage and live broadcasting capabilities. Operates dedicated news helicopters for regional television stations.
4. Aerial Production Services: Motion picture, television, and commercial production helicopter services including CineJet high-speed platform and traditional helicopter-mounted camera systems. Serves major Hollywood productions.
5. Utility Services: Aerial firefighting support using Black Hawk helicopters under Cal Fire and U.S. Forest Service contracts, utility operations, and external load operations.
6. Helinet Technologies: Customized aviation technology solutions including live video downlink systems, augmented reality mapping integration, and support services for law enforcement, public safety, and government agencies.
7. Aircraft Management: Fleet management services for aircraft owners including maintenance, operations support, and crew staffing.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Helinet Aviation Services is a diversified helicopter transportation provider operating a multi-mission fleet from Van Nuys Airport in Southern California. The company delivers VIP and corporate charter, air medical transport, electronic news gathering (ENG), aerial cinematography for film/TV, utility and aerial firefighting, law enforcement technology solutions, aircraft management, and external load training. Core operations span Sikorsky S76, Leonardo AW109, Airbus AS350, and UH-60 Black Hawk aircraft supported by an in-house FAA Part 145 Repair Station.

Product overview

Helinet Aviation Services is a diversified helicopter transportation provider offering a comprehensive portfolio of aviation services from its base at Van Nuys Airport, Los Angeles. The company's offerings span eight core service lines: VIP Charter (featuring Sikorsky S76 and Leonardo AW109 luxury aircraft), Air Medical Services (including dedicated partnership with Children's Hospital Los Angeles for pediatric transport and organ delivery), Electronic News Gathering (ENG) with live downlink capabilities, Aerial Video Production (using SHOTOVER camera systems, MovieHawk, and CineJet platforms), Utility Services (aerial firefighting with Black Hawk helicopters), Helinet Technologies (customized law enforcement and government aviation technology solutions), Aircraft Management, and External Load Training. The fleet includes twin-engine aircraft (Sikorsky S76, Leonardo AW109) for VIP and medical transport, and Airbus AS350 for production and utility work. The company maintains an FAA Part 145 Repair Station for maintenance operations and has been in operation for nearly 40 years.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Helicopter Charter Services Private helicopter charter services for executives, VIPs, and groups in Southern California, including customized itineraries, premium catering, ground transport coordination, and event-based charters such as FIFA World Cup 2026 and Super Bowl LVI.
• Air Medical Services

Quantifiable outcome

• 10,000+ medical transport missions completed for Children's Hospital Los Angeles
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Digital SilkcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 12 February 2026Digital marketing and UX optimization partnership resulting in 152% increase in contact form conversions and 21% increase in organic traffic. Initiative aimed at enhancing discoverability, engagement, and lead capture.
• Urban Movement LabscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 26 April 2022Partnership to explore integration of eVTOL technology into Helinet's operations for more sustainable and accessible air transportation in Los Angeles. Part of Urban Air Mobility Partnership announced by LA Mayor Eric Garcetti, working toward planning for advanced air mobility aircraft arrival.
• Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 9 March 2022Selected by LAPD and Airbus Helicopters to design, furnish, and support live video downlink system for Air Support Division's new H125 aircraft. Continues over decade-long partnership providing HD surveillance and microwave downlink technology.
• SoFi StadiumminorOthers · 14 January 2022Special flight pricing for helicopter flights to Hawthorne Airport (HHR) from local Los Angeles airports for Super Bowl LVI and major sporting events at SoFi Stadium.
• Airbus HelicopterscoreTechnology or Integration · 26 March 2021Operating fleet of seven Airbus H125 aircraft for electronic news gathering. Partnership for H125 downlink integration work with LAPD.
• Angel Flight WestminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 21 September 2020Support for Angel Flight West 2020 Golf Classic, showcasing helicopter and supporting golf ball drop. AFW provides free flights for people traveling to critical care appointments.
• Shotover Systems LtdcoreTechnology or Integration · 4 August 2020Helinet remains as shareholder following merger of Churchill Navigation and SHOTOVER Camera Systems to form SHOTOVER Systems Ltd. Shotover develops gyro-stabilized camera systems used extensively in Helinet's aerial production operations.
• Brown Helicopter, Inc. and Anduze HelicoptercoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 15 July 2020Partnership to bring first UH-60A ESSS Black Hawk to Los Angeles for aerial firefighting production work. Helinet provides operational support, pilots, fuel truck, back-up equipment, and maintenance technicians under Cal Fire CWN contract.
• Gary Sinise FoundationminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 December 2019Support for Snowball Express event providing hope and new memories to children of military fallen heroes. Santa and Mrs. Claus arrival via helicopter to LAX event.
• SikorskycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 November 2019Collaboration on urban air mobility vision demonstration at CoMotion LA, working with Otis Elevator Company on integrated app-based approach. Demonstration featured Sikorsky S-76D helicopter and custom elevator app integration.
• Otis Elevator CompanyminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 November 2019Collaboration on urban air mobility demonstration at CoMotion LA featuring custom eCall app integration for elevator-to-helicopter transportation experience.
• Patriots Jet TeamcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 October 2017Partnership to develop and launch CineJet, the industry's first high-speed aerial cinematography platform using an Aero L-39 Albatros jet with SHOTOVER F1 camera system. Patriots Jet Team provides jet aircraft and pilot expertise while Helinet provides aerial production coordination and camera systems.
• Children's Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1999Exclusive partnership since 1999 providing 24/7 helicopter transport for critically ill children. Helinet provides two dedicated helicopters, pilots staffed 24/7, and all associated fuel, insurance and maintenance at no cost to the hospital, patients or families. Completed over 10,000 medical transport missions.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Air Methods Corporation: Largest air medical helicopter operator in the US, providing hospital-based emergency transport services directly comparable to Helinet's CHLA partnership and broader air medical franchise. Operates a similar dedicated-relationship, hospital-partnered model across many states.
• PHI Aviation: Diversified helicopter services company providing air medical, offshore, and utility operations. Closely comparable to Helinet's diversified service-line model across medical, charter, and industrial end markets.
• Metro Aviation: Helicopter services company with a strong hospital-based air medical and completion center business. Directly comparable to Helinet's exclusive hospital partnership model and FAA Part 135/Part 145 operating structure.
• Bristow Group: Publicly traded global helicopter services provider serving offshore, search and rescue, and government customers. Comparable as a multi-segment helicopter operator with similar regulatory certifications and enterprise/government contract mix.
• Blade Air Mobility: Urban air mobility company providing scheduled and on-demand helicopter and seaplane charter in major US markets. Directly comparable to Helinet's VIP charter service, particularly in coastal/LA and New York markets, with shared focus on digitizing helicopter booking.
• Columbia Helicopters: Heavy-lift helicopter operator providing external load, firefighting, and utility services with a fleet that includes Black Hawk and other large airframes. Comparable to Helinet's utility, firefighting, and external load operations, including the MovieHawk Black Hawk platform.
• Erickson Helicopters: Specialized helicopter operator with a strong aerial firefighting and heavy-lift franchise using Sikorsky airframes. Comparable to Helinet's utility, firefighting, and external load services and to its Sikorsky S76 fleet operations.

Broad incumbents

• StandardAero: Major independent aerospace MRO provider with helicopter engine and component services including FAA Part 145 capabilities. Comparable to Helinet's in-house Part 145 Repair Station and maintenance operations, though at significantly larger scale and broader scope.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/helinet
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@helinetaviation
• Facebookfacebook.com/127973033935709
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/helinet-aviation-services
• Instagraminstagram.com/helinetaviation

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A1 record

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Helinet Aviation Services