Jake Harmon

Jake Harmon

CFI / CFII

 

Jake, a Colorado native, started flying fixed wing in January of 2004 after taking a discovery flight and deciding that flying was a lot more exciting than studying photography.  He earned a Private license and Instrument rating in fixed wing before making the switch to helicopters in March of 2006.  He completed his Private, Instrument, Commercial, CFI & CFII in helicopters in 14 months and has been instructing ever since.  Jake did all this while working full time as a manager and chef at an Italian restaurant and earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Aerospace Management at Metropolitan State College of Denver.  

Jake was also recently chosen to act as one of three lead instructors for the privileged task of developing and pioneering the first ever helicopter only Aviation Safety Inspector (ASI) Certification Program with the FAA training division in Washington D.C. and the Denver FSDO; a program that has been 6 years in the making.  

Jake is a certified EMT and has received various awards including the Boulder County Sheriff’s Commendation Award for Valor & Safety in 2009 and the FAA (FAAST) Safety Award in 2009.  Jake has over 1400 hours total time and flight experience in the Schweizer 300c and turbine 333, Robinson 44, Eurocopter EC-120 and Bell 206 JetRanger.

A word from Jake


"Ever since I took my first flight back in January of 2004 I have been absolutely infatuated with flying.  Whether it be in a helicopter, airplane, glider or balloon there is just something intoxicating about being in the air.  I had always wanted to be a pilot from a very young age, like a lot of young boys I suppose, but had up until recently never seriously thought it a possibility.

When I first started flying it was like being an innocent kid again; not knowing anything about the industry and being wide-eyed and awestruck every time I went to the airport.  The innocence and overwhelming feelings eventually went away but the passion has just gotten stronger.  Every time I get into a helicopter I can’t help but get a smile on my face and be thankful that this is what I get to do every day FOR MY JOB while some other poor guy is stuck in a cubicle somewhere wishing he’d have done something else with his life.

For me, and all of the other guys at Heli-Ops, flying isn’t just a job ... it’s a passion!   I’m here because I had a dream and ambition and went for it!  I didn’t want to have an “average life” and look back when I’m old and gray and wish I would have given my dream a shot.  I’ve had students from all walks of life come to train with me.  From the 18-year-old kid right out of high school to the woman in her forties who wants a career change to the retired old man who wants some excitement in his life; they all say the same thing.  They say that this is something they’ve always wanted to do and never went for it or want to go for it before it’s too late.

My mom told me when I was considering flying for a career and anxious about spending the money it takes to become a pilot, “Jake, if you truly love what you do when you head off to work every day ... then you’ll never really work a day in your life.”  To this day that statement has been true for me and I expect it will remain true for the rest of my life.

Meet Jake