Nick Mertes Email & Phone Number

I spent 1 year as a Part 141 Helicopter Flight Instructor for Universal Helicopters Inc. I logged over 700 hours of dual instruction while at the same time attending full time college at Embry-Riddle and graduating with a 3.8 GPA. In that year I instructed 9 student. 8 of which completed their ratings, including 1 foreign student for his instrument rating and 6 private pilot students. I graduated college and became a Part 135 Tour Pilot for Papillon Grand Canyon Helicopters flying the Bell 206-L3. After completing my season commitment with Papillon I got hired by PHI Inc. flying the Bell 407 in the Gulf of Mexico. I completed 7 months with PHI and am now currently working for Columbia Helicopters' DOD operations in Afghanistan flying the BV-107 Vertol. Conducting multi-engine heavy lift and sling operations supporting US and NATO forces in Operation Resolute Support.Having proudly served over 3 years in US Army Special Operations, I have conducted rigorous training stateside with all services of the military. In those 3 years, I deployed twice to Afghanistan where I worked side by side with coalition forces as the forward observer in a strike force element of roughly 60 people. I have helped in the coordination of multiple direct action raids with the strike force as well as transporting Afghan liaisons for Human Intelligence gathering with the OCG (Operations Coordination Group).I am more than just a pilot. I seek to become an Aviation Industry leader through hard work and my unwavering goal to achieve excellence in everything I do. I have obtained management qualities from my college and flight instruction experience. I have achieved communication and leadership skills through my military experience. I believe in hard work, personal commitment, and an obsessive drive to accomplish goals. My faith in a higher purpose allows me to see clearly and continue climbing on my path upward and lift others along the way.

Listed skills include Special Operations, Forward Thinking, Communication Skills, Amateur Radio Operator, and 11 others.