Hello, I’m David Tappe,

As a seasoned helicopter pilot and aviation expert with over 38 years of hands-on experience in the skies. From my early days in the U.S. Army to my recent roles in high-stakes international operations, I’ve logged more than 11,000 flight hours, including over 10,000 as Pilot-in-Command (PIC), across a diverse range of aircraft like the Airbus H225/EC-225, CH-47D Chinook, AS-332 Super Puma, and MD-500 series and many others. My journey has taken me through combat zones, wildfire battles, and precision utility missions, always with a focus on safety, leadership, and innovation. In August 2024, I founded Aviation Resource Consulting, LLC (ARC), to share this wealth of knowledge with operators, teams, and organizations seeking expert guidance in helicopter operations, training, and strategic planning. Whether you’re navigating complex regulatory landscapes or optimizing high-risk missions, I’m here to help elevate your aviation endeavors.

Military Roots and Tactical Special Operations

My aviation career began in 1986 as a U.S. Army Warrant Officer (CW3), where I served with the elite 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (SOAR), also known as the Night Stalkers. Flying the MH-6 Little Bird and UH-1H Huey, I accumulated 2,000 hours in military operations, earning a Bronze Star, Air Medals and others, and an Honorable Discharge for missions that demanded precision in non-permissive environments. Later, as Assistant Site Lead at Forward Operating Base (FOB) Shank in Afghanistan with Presidential Airways (now AAR Corp. Airlift), I managed eight aircraft and 80 personnel while serving as PIC on the SA-330J Puma. In this combat zone, I coordinated DOD transport of military personnel under austere conditions, executing non-scheduled flights with rapid adaptability to degraded environments and compressed timelines. In 2023-2024 with Air Center Helicopters, I flew the EC-225 during the ISR-integrated evacuation of U.S. citizens from the U.S. Embassy in Port-au-Prince, Haiti—a high-stakes operation requiring non-GPS-reliant navigation and discretion in urban chaos. These experiences honed my skills in tactical special operations execution and planning, ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance) integration, and secure payload movement—skills I now bring to consulting for civil and defense-related aviation projects. 

Expertise in Night Vision Goggle (NVG) Operations

Night operations have been a cornerstone of my career, with hundreds of night flight hours, including under NVG systems like ANVIS 6/9, White Phosphorus, NL-93, and others. Qualified and current in NVG, I’ve flown in diverse scenarios, from low-level tactical special operations and combat insertions during my Army tenure to recent missions supporting NASA/SpaceX recovery, Department of Defense trainings and State Department evacuations. As an Instructor Pilot for NATO forces in Croatia with Lukos LLC in 2023, I trained teams on NVG tactics using the AS-532AL Cougar. At ARC, I offer specialized consulting on NVG program development, training, and integration to ensure safe, effective nighttime missions for your operations.

Leadership in Job Crew and Team Management

Leadership isn’t just about flying—it’s about building and guiding teams to success. As Director of Training and Standards at Construction Helicopters from 2014 to 2015, I oversaw curricula for heavy-lift operations and mentored pilots on CRM (Crew Resource Management), which I certified in through Oregon Aero. In my role as Training Captain and Instructor Pilot, across multiple airframes and environments, I’ve led crews in high-pressure settings, from live combat assaults as a flight leader to multi-agency wildfire responses to multi million-dollar utility projects. With Lukos LLC, I instructed Slovenian military pilots on special operations tactics, emphasizing planning, teamwork and decision-making. My time as Assistant Site Lead in Afghanistan further solidified my ability to manage large teams under duress. Through ARC, I provide consulting on team leadership, CRM implementation, and operational efficiency, helping organizations foster cohesive crews that deliver results safely and effectively.

Aerial Firefighting Mastery

Aerial firefighting has been a thrilling and vital part of my career, where precision meets urgency. Carded by the U.S. Forest Service for long-line and tanked aircraft operations under Part 133/137, I’ve logged thousands of hours battling wildfires. From 2016 to 2019 with Billings Flying Service, I served as Captain on the CH-47D Chinook, coordinating with incident commanders for retardant and water drops in rugged mountain terrain (over 4,236 mountain hours total). Earlier roles with Erickson Air-Crane in 2012 and Construction Helicopters from 2013 to 2016 involved heli-tanker operations and precision drops during peak fire seasons. These missions required flawless execution in high-density altitudes and adverse weather, always prioritizing safety. At ARC, I consult on firefighting strategies, aircraft selection, and training to equip teams for the demands of wild-land fire suppression.

Electrical Powerline Construction and Helicopter Construction Projects

Utility work, especially electrical powerline construction, showcases the technical finesse of helicopter aviation—and I’ve excelled in it with over 5,000 powerline hours. Carded under Part 133 for Class A/B/C/D operations, including vertical reference and long-line, I’ve specialized in Human External Cargo, wire stringing, live-line maintenance, and transmission patrols. Pilot and leadership roles with many aviation utility companies involved precision work on MD-500 series helicopters in confined, high-voltage environments. In helicopter construction, I’ve led heavy-lift projects with Construction Helicopters, flying the AS-332 and CH-47D for infrastructure builds. My 4,342 vertical reference hours ensure accuracy in these demanding tasks. Through ARC, I offer expert consulting on powerline projects, from planning and risk assessment to execution, helping clients navigate the complexities of aerial utility and construction operations.

From Pilot to Consultant

My Vision for ARC-After a career spanning everything from EMS flights with Metro Aviation and Rocky Mountain Helicopters, offshore operations with Tex-Air, and even electronic news gathering with Helicopter Services, I’ve seen aviation from every angle. Holding an ATP Rotorcraft-Helicopter certificate, type ratings in heavy platforms like the H225/EC-225, SK-61, AS-332 and CH-47D, and a current FAA Medical, I’m as committed to excellence today as I was in 1986. Educated in English Writing at Carroll College, I bring clear communication to my consulting work. Outside the cockpit, I enjoy classic car restoration, landscaping, and woodworking—passions that keep me grounded. At Aviation Resource Consulting, LLC, founded in August 2024, I leverage this extensive background to provide tailored solutions for aviation challenges with one over-arching goal in mind—to save lives and prevent loss. Whether it’s enhancing your NVG or tactical programs, optimizing powerline operations, or building resilient firefighting teams, I’m dedicated to advancing helicopter aviation industry safety one mission at a time. Let’s connect—reach

out at [email protected] or review our website to discuss how ARC can help support your goals!