• Name: Chris Creamer
• Position: Flight Instructor, Website
• Home Town: Ellijay, Ga
• Years of Experience: Three
• Favorite Aircraft: MD 530F

• Why did you decide to become a professional helicopter pilot?

I was working as a superintendent for a forestry company back in Georgia.  I took an opportunity to go up in a Bell 206L4 for a quick lap around the pattern. Within seconds of lifting off I was committed to finding a way to get my pilots license.  After a few months of research and late nights watching helicopter videos and reading about how they work, I made the decision to move to Texas and begin my new career by enrolling with Longhorn Helicopters. The decision was easy; I knew that there was nothing I would rather do for the rest of my life. I still cannot imagine doing anything else.

• What is your most memorable moment as a pilot?

Wow I have to choose just one? Every time I have buckled in has been memorable to the tenth degree! Although I would have to say it was my first solo flight that stands out the most. My instructor and I had rehearsed things time and time again and finally it was my chance to flee the nest! My first pickup, hover taxi, and take off I barely remember. I think this is due mainly to the fact that I was intensely concentrating on not messing up.  But as soon as I turned down wind I loosened up a bit, took a deep breath and looked to my right. That’s when it hit me. I remember thinking “There is no one in the other seat. This is all on me now.” That feeling is something you can’t truly understand until you have experienced it yourself.

• If you were to choose any profession other than this what would it be and why?

I am going to have to say a Professional Snowboarder. I am almost religious when it comes to snowboarding and the mountains that I ride! Really just being in the mountains with my best friends, a board strapped to my feet and gravity accelerating me through the most epic places in the world is a dream come true. Flying helicopters is the only thing I have found that beats that feeling. So if for whatever reason I wasn’t able to fly, Being a pro snowboarder would be an acceptable second choice.

• How do you spend most of your time when not flying?

Honestly If I’m not flying I spend most of my time day dreaming about flying. I know this sounds silly but its true. This is probably the reason I am always at the hangar even when I have nothing going on. Aside from that I stay pretty active, I’m normally a fast paced person. Whether riding my mountain bike or wakeboarding and surfing in the summer time to snowboarding in the winter, I usually find something exciting to keep me occupied.

• If you could have any pilot job in the world what would it be and why?

Definitely flying an Astar in the mountains of New Zealand in the South Pacific! Back to my love of snowboarding and the mountains, New Zealand has a lot of both! To me It would be awesome to fly heli-ski missions dropping riders at the top of  several thousand foot peaks, then chasing them back to the bottom. I also love longline/external load operations. It is my understanding that there is a lot of this there too.  Without a doubt, This is my dream job.

• What are some other notable mentions about yourself?

Well lets see, I have a really awesome little sister, Casey.  I grew up racing motocross since I was 8 y/o. Being from a small town in North Georgia, with nothing to do, this definitely kept me out of trouble and oriented on achieving my goals at a young age. I worked in the forestry industry for four years prior to becoming a pilot. I love anything new and different which is why flying helicopters is a great career for me. Every minute of every flight is something new and different.  Although I am a pretty fast paced kind of person I am generally laid back and easy going. Also, I am a self proclaimed master at making pancakes!