Pathfinder Aviation

Name: Pathfinder Aviation
Address: 1936 Merrill Field Drive, Anchorage, AK, 99501, US
Telephone: +19072571550

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Anchorage, AK
Pathfinder Aviation

Remote helicopter operations, proven in Alaska for any environment on 🌎 Fire | Ice | Heli-ski | E Pathfinder Aviation, Inc.

is an FAA Part 133, 135 and 137 certified air carrier operating mostly Bell & Airbus helicopters. We were founded in 2001 to fill a void in Alaska’s light utility helicopter market. Since then, we have become an industry-leading provider of helicopter services and logistical support, specializing in remote operations and extreme climates. Local and Worldwide Support
Pathfinder’s Corporate headquar

ters and main base of operations are located in Anchorage, Alaska. Geographical operations include Alaska, Canada, and the contiguous 48 states. Experience and Expertise
We have the capability and experience to operate safely and economically in any environment by fully utilizing the capabilities of our aircraft and crew. We specialize in providing strategic aviation support to a variety of industries. Recent projects include:
- Oil and gas exploration
- Mining operations support and drill moves
- Power line construction and maintenance
- Aerial photography, including Cineflex HD
and Infrared
- Animal survey and tagging
- Firefighting and Forestry management
- Building construction
- Surveying
- Offshore
- Specialized agriculture and fertilizing
- Sport fishing
- Glacier and wildlife tours

03/25/2025

Race you to the next ski line! ⛷️ 🏂 🚁

03/11/2025

And that’s a wrap on our first season in Antarctica!

From breathtaking icebergs to extreme weather, from long days of hard work to unforgettable moments with an incredible team—the experience has been nothing short of amazing. We came, we adapted, and we conquered the cold.

Antarctica, you’ve challenged us, inspired us, and left us in awe. Until next time season!🧡🖤🚁

02/28/2025

Today, we want to take a moment to recognize the incredible work of our helicopter mechanics. These skilled professionals work tirelessly behind the scenes, ensuring that every aircraft is safe, reliable, and mission-ready.

Their expertise keeps our helicopters flying in some of the toughest conditions. They tackle complex mechanical systems, troubleshoot issues under pressure, and often work long hours in challenging environments.

To all our helicopter mechanics out there: Thank you for your dedication, attention to detail, and commitment to safety. Your hard work doesn’t go unnoticed, and the lives of so many depend on what you do every single day.

02/19/2025

2025 Heliski season has officially kicked off! Have you ever been Heli-Skiing in a Pathfinder aircraft? Let us know in the comments below! 📸

02/08/2025

Pathfinder is honored to be featured in the latest issue of for the work our crew in Antarctica are providing for the Go give it a read and let us know what you think in the comments!

01/23/2025

Our Antarctica crew on a Dry Valleys science support mission.

10/09/2024

That’s a wrap! Another great season in the books at Red Dog Mine!

10/04/2024

Our crews and aircraft have arrived safely in Antarctica! Dreams do come true!

09/25/2024

Ready for Antarctica!!!

We’ve been waiting for this moment for what feels like forever. We are very proud to be sending full crews, and 3 of our helicopters to McMurdo Station in Antarctica to assist the National Science Foundation with research.

09/13/2024

Happy Friday the 13th! What’s your superstitions?

08/28/2024

Summer isn’t over yet, but the Fireweed in Alaska may disagree. 📸

08/10/2024

Black and Orange. The Pathfinder colors. 📸

07/17/2024

Foggy Alaska mornings may put us on a weather hold but they sure are beautiful.

06/27/2024

On Wednesdays we wear pink 💪 📸

06/10/2024

Fire season is officially here. Training is complete and our crews are out in the field! 🔥 🚁

05/13/2024

Our newest addition to the Pathfinder fleet! A 212 Single Eagle. Thanks to our friends .copters for putting this beast together for us! 🚁

05/10/2024

Pilot extraordinaire, Zack Ard, snapped these amazing student artist renditions of our Nome helicopter that provides essential air service to nearby communities. The photos show the impact that our helicopter has to the village of Little Diomede. There is some amazing artistic talent! We feel the love!

04/23/2024

Oh the places these magical machines can take us. 😍🚁 I would imagine that was an epic ski line for

Address

1936 Merrill Field Drive
Anchorage, AK
99501

Telephone

+19072571550

Website

http://www.pathfinderaviation.com/

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Our Story

Pathfinder Aviation began as a FAA Part 135 certified air carrier based out of Homer, Alaska operating one Bell 206 B3 helicopter in November of 2001. In 2004, we added one more Bell 206B3 to our full-time fleet as well as our FAA Part 133 certificate. In 2006 we added one more Bell 206 B3 to our full-time fleet which then included three Bell 206B3s and seasonally incorporated more helicopters based on our needs.

In 2008, we were given the opportunity to start doing erratication work with the Nature Conservancy so we brought a 206L3 into our fleet and added our FAA Part 137 certificate.

By 2012, we had a fleet of 3 Bell 206B3s, 4 Bell 206L3s and a Bell 206L4, we also added our FAA Part 145 Certificate, we were also in the middle of a huge renovation of our Homer office adding more office space for our growing employee base, we had doubled our full-time employees in 2012.

In 2013, we added a Cessna 206 to our fleet to provide transportation for Homer Electric Association’s Bradley Lake Facility across Kachemak Bay and in 2014 we started operating two Bell 212s in Cook Inlet. In late 2015, we added 2 more Bell 212s on a contract on the North Slope of Alaska, in addition to our utility fleet which was made up of mostly Bell 206L3s at the time as the Alaska market was slowing down for Bell 206B3s. By January 1 of 2016 our full-time employee count was 2200% higher than the day we opened the door in 2001.

In October of 2016, Pathfinder Aviation was sold to a private equity firm, it was also the year that our last Bell 206B3 was sold. In May of 2017, Pathfinder purchased Erickson Helicopter’s Alaskan Assets which included different type aircraft and three additional hangars (Anchorage, Prudhoe Bay, Nome). At that time our fleet included:

3 Bell 206L3,

1 Bell 206L4

5 Bell 212

2 Bell 412

1 Astar 350B2

1 Astar 350B3

1 BO 105

1 Cessna 206

In November of 2017 the main operations hangar of Pathfinder was moved from Homer to Anchorage.

We have come a long way from our utility based seasonal flying roots and our management may have changed hands but we have an established history of supplying outstanding helicopter services to the regional and federal government as well as the private sector. This history is carried throughout our staff and we continuously strive to better ourselves with the training and professional organizations that we are part of. We fly for a variety of industries and interests including, mining, oil, forestry, geology, tourism, and cinematography.