Meet The Team
Tasmanian Helicopters employs a team of highly skilled and experienced professionals to ensure we deliver on our commitment to you. Our team consists of the following members:
Darryl Taylor
Managing Director
Darryl has been flying helicopters for in excess of 25 years and started the business back in 1989. Darryl is a highly experienced pilot with a diverse skill set having amassed over 10,000 hours.
Darryl has grown Tasmanian Helicopters through client focus and attention to detail.
Darryl is a former board member and past president of the Aerial Application Association of Australia (AAAA), continuing his ongoing commitment to the aerial application industry.
Bruce Colwell
Chief Pilot / Head of Operations
Bruce has 27 years' experience in the aviation industry and has in excess of 18,000 hours.
Bruce has been with Tasmanian Helicopters for the last 17+ years and has a diverse skills set.
Bruce is also a Flight Instructor and Flight Examiner and can assist you with the following:
- Helicopter Flight Reviews, Difference Training / Endorsements in R44, B206, AS350 and B205
- Gas Turbine Design Feature Endorsement
- Aerial Application Ratings and Endorsements
- Aerial Application (H) Endorsement
- Aerial Application (H) FIRE Endorsement
- Aerial Application Proficiency Checks and Rating Flight Tests
- Low Level Ratings and Endorsements
- Low Level (H) Endorsement
- Low Level (SLING) Endorsement
- Low Level Rating Flight Tests and Flight Reviews
- Long Line Training
- Mountain Flying Training
Updated: April 2021
Matthew Young
Chief Engineer / Engineering Manager
Matt joined the Tasmanian Helicopters team in 2010. Matt is a Licensed Aircraft Maintenance Engineer (L.A.M.E) and has extensive experience maintaining both fixed wing and rotary wing aircraft.
Matt is a highly skilled and efficient engineer who is focused on delivering high quality results in a timely manner. Matt is a welcome addition to the team supporting our aircraft maintenance activities. Matt has been a L.A.M.E since 2004.
Jason McCutcheon
Hobart Base Manager | Line Pilot
Jason joined the Tasmanian Helicopters team in February 2024 as our Hobart Base Manager based at the Cambridge airport.
Jason commenced his flying career in 1994 and has since gained experience flying throughout all states of Australia.
Jason has also lived and flown in multiple overseas countries including Papua New Guinea, East Timor, Fiji, New Zealand, Sub Antarctic's Macquarie Island, and Antarctica for the French division at Dumont D'urville.
With over 11,000 hours most of these hours were specializing in underslung vertical reference lifting, in some of the world's most remote areas, experiencing these parts of the world were Jason's career goals and interests.
A particular passion of Jason's is for Australia's Seasonal Fire Suppression Helicopter requirements.
Jason first flew fire suppression operations in 1999 and has now 24 fire seasons behind him.
Having lost a family property to fire as a child it is an understanding and a personal commitment of Jason's to be part of the ongoing need for Aerial Fire Fighters.
In 2013 Jason obtained his Instructor rating qualification and began teaching the art of flight to overseas and local students.
Jason's love for flying shows through his vibrant attitude. Tasmania is his favourite place to live and fly, he is excited when looking towards his families future in Tasmania and sharing his services to all whilst flying with Tasmanian Helicopters.
PS
I also like Land Rovers
James Brient
Pilot
James joined the Tasmanian Helicopters team as a valuable asset in our acquistion of Cradle Mountain Helicopters and Strahan Helicopters in April 2018.
James has been flying under the "Cradle Mountain Helicopters" banner since August 2017.
James advanced to aerial work with Tasmanian Helicopters late 2018 and has been providing the following services; fire support, lifting, aerial survey and charter.
James is friendly, customer focused, self-motivated and a valued employee of Tasmanian Helicopters.
Henry Mainwaring
Pilot
Henry joined the Tasmanian Helicopters team in December 2019.
Henry is a Tasmanian local with experience in: instructing, pest eradication, mustering, fire support, survey and charter.
Henry is excited to be home and working for the Company that introduced him to aviation over 15 years ago!
Henry is friendly, approachable, a welcomed member of the team by both staff and customers.
Nic Simmons
Pilot
Nic joined the Tasmanian Helicopters team in December 2020 as a member of our Aircraft Support Crew located at our Latrobe base.
During the period April 2021 to October 2022, Nic became our primary pilot at our sister company Cradle Mountain Helicopters, offering tourism flights in the World Heritage Listed Cradle Mountain - Lake St Clair National Park.
In November 2022 Nic gained his sling rating and fire endorsement adding lifting services and fire support activities to his growing list of skills and attributes.
Nic has been utilising these skills for fire support operations, including fire lighting, and water bombing.
Nic is still working towards his dream of becoming an aerial application pilot, however, Nic is thoroughly enjoying his current role.
Nic is a versatile pilot, working between our Latrobe and Cradle Mountain bases.
Nic is a valued member of our team.
Updated: January 2023
Josh Green
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Pilot - Cradle Mountain Helicopters Josh joined the Tasmanian Helicopters team in 2022 after four years of flying in the Northern Territory. Josh will primarily be based at our sister company Cradle Mountain Helicopters, offering tourism flights in the World Heritage Listed Cradle Mountain - Lake St Clair National Park. Josh has an extensive background in tourism and passengers can look forward to some informative yet entertaining commentary. Josh hopes to move into a utility role with the company over the next few years but at this point is just getting used to flying over something taller than a termite mound. Check out this YouTube video created by Josh's passengers @HappyDays2763 Flying Over Cradle Mountain in #tasmania __ Helicopter Ride __ Cinematic.mp4 |
Visit our website for scenic flight options and to make a booking http://cradlemountainhelicopters.com.au |
Charlie Warren
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Aircraft Support Crew / Pilot - Cradle Mountain Helicopters Charlie joined the Tasmanian Helicopters team in December 2022 after completing his Commercial Pilot Licence interstate. Charlie says, "I am excited to be back home working with such experienced pilots and crew at Tasmanian Helicopters." Charlie takes pride in his work ethic and friendly approachable manner. Charlie is really looking forward to the opportunities that may evolve as he continues to learn from the Tasmanian Helicopters team. Currently employed as a member of our Ground Support Crew, Charlie will have the opportunity to learn literally from the ground up on his path to becoming one of our flight crew. Charlie has slotted into the team well and we look forward to continuing Charlie's development in the aviation industry. Charlie commenced scenic flights at Cradle Mountain Helicopters in March 2023. |
Visit our website for scenic flight options and to make a booking http://cradlemountainhelicopters.com.au |
Michael Humble
Aircraft Support Crew / Maintenance Department
Michael is a welcomed addition to the team, Michael commenced employment with Tasmanian Helicopters in November 2021.
Michael joins us with a wealth of knowledge and experience being a qualified Diesel Fitter, experienced in aircraft refuelling and from his years as a Stevedore experience in rigging and shifting various loads.
Michael's experience compliments his role of Aircraft Support Crew, providing ground support for aerial work including; refuelling, rigging, fuel reduction burning.
Michael's background in workshop and personnel management, and hard-working hands-on approach ensures any issues are promptly addressed.
Nil incidents.
- Diesel Fitter
- Qualified Dogman
- Heavy Rigid
- Dangerous Goods Certification
- First Aid Certificate Level 2
Geoff MacMillan
Aircraft Support Crew
Geoff commenced employment with Tasmanian Helicopters in November 2023.
Geoff is a member of our Aircraft Support Crew, providing ground support for all aerial operations.
Geoff brings experience working with heavy machinery and is looking forward to working in this dynamic industry with the professional team at Tasmanian Helicopters.
Mitch Lyne
Aircraft Support Crew
Mitch commenced his employment with Tasmanian Helicopters in November 2022 after completing his Commercial Pilot Licence interstate.
Mitch is a member of our Aircraft Support Crew providing ground support for all aspects of aerial work, working with flight crew from both Riverside, Latrobe, and our sister company Cradle Mountain Helicopters.
Through our training and mentoring program, the long-term plan is that Mitch's role with Tasmanian Helicopters will be that of a professional pilot.
Mitch has always had an interest in large machinery, stemming from his childhood living on a farm on the East Coast of Tasmania, along with his standout work experience at Tasmanian Helicopters which led to a further passion for aviation.
Mitch says, "I am very grateful for the opportunity to be a part of such an amazing team and look forward to the future".
Mitch is a welcomed member to the team, friendly, flexible, and reliable.
Angela Smith
Office Manager
Angela is highly skilled and proficient in administration and accounting functions. Angela is friendly and approachable and takes pride in delivering exceptional customer service.
Angela's passion for her work is evident in the high quality work output.
Rebecca Eastley
Administration Assistant
Rebecca joined the Tasmanian Helicopters team in June 2023.
Rebecca has 28 years experience in administration and customer service.
Rebecca is looking forward to working with the professional and friendly team at Tasmanian Helicopters.
Amber Revell
Apprentice Aircraft Maintenance Engineer (AME)
Amber was first welcomed to Tasmanian Helicopters in July 2023 as a work experience student from Penguin High School, and again during the October 2023 school holidays.
Amber was welcomed back in January 2024, as a permanent member of the team, and is pursuing a career as an Aircraft Maintenance Engineer.
Amber fits in well and is enjoying working with and learning from the highly skilled Engineering personnel, and the rest of the staff at Tasmanian Helicopters.