Our pilots collectively have over 25,000 flight hours across a range of operations. Many are former military, helicopter pilots, bringing a foundation of exceptional skill, discipline, and safety awareness into our civilian flight operations.

Chief Pilot Austyn Schlueter is based in Rapid City and has more than 12 years of helicopter experience and over 2,000 flight hours. He leads our advanced pilot training and evaluation programs, ensuring every aviator meets our uncompromising safety and performance standards.

Director of Maintenance David Ash holds both Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) and Inspection Authorization (IA) certifications—the highest FAA maintenance credentials. His meticulous approach keeps our helicopters operating safely and efficiently in all conditions.

Our leadership is equally experienced:

• Co‑Owner and Director of Operations Mark Schlaefli, a Custer, SD resident, brings decades of operational excellence across multiple industry segments including utility/fire/longline with Redding Air Service, high volume tour operations with Papillon Grand Canyon Helicopters and tour/charter/film/DOD support as the Director of Operations for Sundance Helicopters. Giving back to the industry is of high importance, and Mark has served in leadership roles nationally and internationally, most recently as the Chairman of the Board for Vertical Aviation International (VAI) and is serving on the FAA’s Aviation Rulemaking Committee (ARC) for aerial tours, helping to shape safety and raise the bar for tour operators across the United States.  Mark has participated in and held leadership positions with other prominent aviation safety boards and councils..
• Co‑Owner John Wells, another local Custer resident, has decades of commercial helicopter tour and charter experience, including senior roles at Sundance Helicopter, in Las Vegas, NV, and Blue Hawaiian Helicopters, in Hawaii. As CFO and owner of Dakota Rotors and President of the Keystone Chamber of Commerce, he is deeply involved in community outreach—supporting local schools, charities, and events, and maintaining active participation in Keystone, Hill City, and Custer chambers.