Pathfinder Aviation

Pathfinder Aviation is a helicopter transport operator headquartered at Merrill Field in Anchorage, Alaska. It was founded in 2001 to fill a gap in the Alaska utility helicopter market, starting with seasonal utility flying. The company now works year-round in remote and austere environments for government and private clients, delivering crews and moving goods by external load.

Operations

• Survey and exploration: remote field studies, Arctic operations, geological and geophysical work
• Fire: aerial fire management with carded crews and equipment, with exclusive-use and call-when-needed contracts with US government agencies
• Heli-skiing: winter backcountry access and joint training with guides and pilots across North America
• Department of Defense missions
• Oil and gas: offshore transport and support, plus search and rescue coverage
• Utility: construction, external load, power line surveys, drilling and exploration support
• Aerial cinema: helicopter and drone production, mainly with H125 helicopters from Anchorage
• Private charter and tours in Alaska, including glacier landings and wildlife viewing

Fleet

The fleet page lists the Airbus H135 for offshore and utility missions, the Bell 212, 212S and 412 for fire, utility and DoD missions, and the Airbus H125 (Astar B2 and B3) for heli-skiing, remote adventure, utility, VIP and cinema work. Useful loads are given as 1,000 to 3,000 lb. The site does not state aircraft counts, and says the company also holds interests in aircraft operated by affiliates and joint venture partners.

Markets served

Research and science, government and wildland fire management, defense, offshore energy, utilities and construction, winter recreation, film and media, and tourism. Named areas of experience include the Arctic, Pacific Ocean, Caribbean and Alaska, with stated interest in the Gulf of Mexico, Australia, Asia, Africa and the North Sea.