Beware of Summmit Helicopters

[jonnydonut]

I'm pretty upset right now, but I have to say, I saw this coming. If you want details I can elaborate, just email me. But an official warning to any photographers or flight students out there, do not do business with Summit Helicopters. While the people and pilots there are great, the owner destoys any credibility their company has.

In a nut shell, they hired me, I went above and beyond to perform my job, and because of miscommunication between them and whoever hired them, I took the fall. I am out $455 because of their mal practice. I took and delivered my images to THEIR client, and then Summit resfused to pay me.

In another situation, they've clearly broken FAA laws, even after I presented a law book to them. When hired by them, they neglected to supply me with adequate safety equipment required by the FAA when flying at low altitudes. The job required me to fly above water without coasting distance to the shoreline, no flotation devices, no flare gun. Risking both my life and the pilots beacuse the owner, Jason, is cheap.

That might not worry me so much if they had well mantained aircrafts however. Their helicopters are always down, I never know exactly what I'm flying in until I get there. One time, we spent 30 minutes trying to get one started only to discover the gas was turned off. And most importantly, about 2 months ago the RPMs in their R-44 dropped suddenly sending the helicopter into an spiraling emergency landing. I was not in it, thank God, and everyone turned out safe thanks to a very skilled pilot and a clearing in the trees, but if they were over water.. they're all dead. They brought that helicopter back to the airport, and couldn't find anythig wrong with it. They're still sending people up in the air in that thing, fixing nothing. What a joke.

All this information is 100% accurate, this is not lible or slander. The avation community is a small one here, radios are open communication, people talk, we know what's up, and everyone knows how you run a business. It's not like I have secrets with other companies, these are all problems just with Summit that I've bit my toung too long about, that I've kept in to protect their reputation and our relationship, but they took it too far. Maybe this post can save someone time, money, energy, or even their life. Unfortunatly, I will not be doing business with them anymore, and I advise the same. I see another "silver state" in the works. (for those of you who know what that means).

If you care about yourself, your life, your dignity, avoid Summit Helicopters at all costs.


Great Alternative local training schools and helicopter companies:
- Epic Helicopters: Fort Worth, TX
- Longhorn Helicopters: Denton, TX
- Sky Helicopters: Garland, TX

Summit might be the cheapest place around, but at what cost?
I repeat, DO NOT do business with them and make sure none of your friends do either.

[SCone]

Lien their helicopter

[jonnydonut]

I can't believe I delivered the images before payment, what was i thinking?.

[CaptainTom]

What were the terms of your written and signed contract ?

[jonnydonut]

Originally Posted by CaptainTom

What were the terms of your written and signed contract ?

none, all verbal, and not with the owner, with employees. I've done business with them before, they hire me, I hire them. All was good until the owner got involved and the pilots started trying to book commercial jobs.