This is who we are

History

The two original founders of A&P Helicopters established the company in 1988 to meet the demand for local helicopter services. They named it A&P after their wives' initials, aiming to be listed first in the yellow pages that year. In 2005, Craig and Vickie Compton acquired the business.

Craig, a second-generation aviation enthusiast, grew up in the industry, with his father founding AVAG, an aerial application business, in the 1950s, where Craig began his career as a pilot. At just 29, he took ownership of AVAG and now serves as Vice President of A&P, leveraging his extensive experience in aviation and business. Vickie entered aviation after meeting Craig and has since held various roles at A&P, including finance, safety, HR management, and even stepping in to drive a fuel truck when needed. Today, she is the CEO & President, playing a vital role in mentoring the next generation of leaders within the company. After the acquisition, they brought on Erik Vandagriff as Director of Operations and Chief Pilot, successfully integrating the newly acquired MD500D with their existing Bell 206B Jet Ranger and Bell UH-1H “Huey.” Since those early days, A&P has expanded to 54 employees, a fleet of 11 helicopters, multiple service vehicles, and a 24,000-square-foot hangar.

Mission, Vision, Core Values

Mission: A & P Helicopters provides precision lift services as a partner in building and maintaining America’s infrastructure.

Vision: Infrastructure developed through innovation, a workforce passionate about their roles, and families united at the end of each day.

Core Values: Safety, Quality, Service, Integrity.

  • Jeremy Van Vliet

    VP of Operations

    Jeremy brings over 20 years of experience to the industry, boasting more than 8,000 accident-free flight hours and eight years at A&P. Through a combination of education and coaching, he has developed the skills needed to lead the company effectively. Jeremy's natural talent for fostering collaboration, his dedication to empowering employees, and his steadfast commitment to A&P's success are key drivers as we move forward into the future.

  • Erik Vandagriff

    DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS

    With over 30 years in the industry and more than 14,000 accident-free flight hours, Erik has been an integral part of A&P since the acquisition 19 years ago. He played a pivotal role in establishing the foundation for the company’s impressive growth. Erik excels at building lasting client relationships and has a talent for managing complex projects, whether by flying them himself or coaching others to do so with precision. His expertise makes him an invaluable asset to the A&P team.

  • Derek Lassiter

    CHIEF PILOT

    Derek brings over 15 years of experience to the industry, with more than 8,000 accident-free flight hours and nine years at A&P. His passion for aviation, combined with his leadership skills, empowers our pilots to reach their full potential. Under Derek's guidance, A&P's pilot training program has established a benchmark for excellence in pilot performance in our region.

  • Greg Fox

    DIRECTOR OF MAINTENANCE

    Greg launched his aviation career with A&P's owners, Craig and Vickie Compton, long before the acquisition. With over 40 years of experience in aircraft maintenance, he possesses the knowledge and expertise to create a program that upholds the highest standards for our fleet. Greg’s cautious approach to airworthiness prioritizes the safety of our team, ensuring everyone returns home safely at the end of the day.

  • Sean Arlin

    DIRECTOR OF GROUND SUPPORT

    Sean has spent 7 years in the aviation industry, following a distinguished career in law enforcement. His background provided him with essential leadership and organizational skills, which he now applies to his role at A&P. He leads a team of fuel truck drivers, manages vehicle operations including DOT and contract compliance, and oversees the safety and integrity of our lift equipment. Sean is a valuable contributor to A&P’s continued success.

  • Jeff Williams

    DIRECTOR OF SAFETY

    Jeff joined A&P in April 2024, bringing more than 38 years of experience in the aviation industry, including a military background and expertise in aerial firefighting on various aircraft. He has greatly improved our safety program by implementing an effective reporting system and revamping our Safety Management System. These changes have streamlined our risk management processes and allowed us to prioritize essential safety performance targets. Jeff’s contributions were pivotal in our successful pursuit of IS- BAO certification.

Capabilities

Personnel Transport

Precision Lift

Human External Cargo

Structure Replacement

Wire String

HVAC Replacement

Snow Survey

Insurance Retrieval

Powerline Patrol

Snow Survey

Insurance Retrieval

Aerial Photography

Cinematography

Tree Lift

Fleet

Bell 212S

4000 Pounds External

9 passengers

Bell 205A1

4,000 Pounds External

9 Passengers

Bell UH-1H

3400 Pounds External

No Passengers

Bell 206B

800 Pounds External

3 passengers

Bell 407

2000 Pounds External

5 Passgeners

Safety at A&P is ensured through our Safety Management System (SMS). A&P has had zero accidents since the acquisition in 2005. The key components that make up our SMS are:

-Safety Policy & Objectives

-Safety Risk Management

-Safety Assurance

-Safety Promotion

If the need arises, A&P's Emergency Response Plan, recognized by industry regulators as a benchmark program, is ready for activation.

As of September 20, 2024, A&P is IS-BAO Certified

Safety