Joe Munoz
United States | Director of Operations, Maverick Helicopters
I am the Director of Flight Operations of Maverick Helicopters in Las Vegas, NV. I Am also the Chief Pilot for Maverick Helicopters in Long Beach, CA I have been flying helicopters for 31 years. My experience in aviation started as a student at a flight school in Sacramento California. Upon graduating with my CFI , the flight school hired me to teach for the next three years of my career. After giving flight instruction for three years I felt it was time to advance to the next chapter of my career. I took a seasonal job with TEMSCO in Alaska. I flew in Juneau and Skagway for a season building my hours as a helicopter tour guide. This was my first 135 job and my first turbine helicopter job. Once the season ended I then took a job as a pilot with TEX AIR in the Gulf of Mexico flying crews and equipment to oil rigs off the coast of Texas and Louisiana. I stayed with TEX AIR for a year before ultimately taking a job at Maverick Helicopters where I am today. I started as a line pilot and flew tours for seven years at which I was offered the position of Chief Pilot. I was the Chief Pilot for twelve years at Maverick Helicopters, then was offered the position of Director of Operations when my boss retired.
The helicopter Industry has been a big part of my life and has been a very rewarding career which I am very grateful for. My time in the Gulf of Mexico was some of the most challenging I had ever seen due to weather and a lack of resources such as weather information, communication resources and support in a remote area. Thos challenges while difficult at the time were some of the most educational looking back.
I look forward to what the future holds as we have a new base in Southern California and am excited for the new opportunities.
The helicopter industry while being a challenge and difficult at times has been a blessing to me and has been a very rewarding part of my life. I look forward to giving back in any way I can to others who decide on this path.