2020 SALUTE TO EXCELLENCE AWARDS

2020 SALUTE TO EXCELLENCE AWARDS

Nominee:       Jason Glynn
Award:         Pilot of the Year
Nominator:     Jamie Comar, Chief Pilot & Director of Training, Era Helicopters

Nomination Text:
The HAI Salute to Excellence Pilot of the Year Award deserves a nominee, whose
contributions have left an indelible mark on our industry, embodying exemplary
leadership, fostering positive change and continued innovation. A nominee who works
tirelessly in the pursuit of aviation safety and excellence, and who is an inspiring beacon
of selfless ambition and superlative fortitude. On behalf of Era Helicopters, we nominate
Jason Glynn.

A Louisiana native, Jason Glynn grew up on the water. Ever since the age of 8-years-
old, Jason began repairing all types of boats. It was no surprise that once he finished
undergraduate school, he proceeded to technical school to learn more about mechanics
with an emphasis on marine diesel engines. After completing technical school, Jason
immediately began working on offshore maritime vessels that would service the US Gulf
of Mexico. As the years passed by, Jason was offered a position at a local company to
repair diesel engines generators units. Most of these generators were strategically
placed offshore on the many oil and gas platforms. After going offshore time and time
again via helicopter, and especially after being able to fly left seat in the small
helicopters, Jason’s passion for aviation grew and he then knew in his heart that he was
going to go fly helicopters for the rest of his career.

To get a “foot in the door” of the helicopter industry, Jason knew he had to make a
difficult decision. A high school friend who worked for Era at the time knew of Jason’s
passion to for aviation and helped him secure a position as Base Support at Era
Helicopters' Port Fourchon Heliport. For the next 6 months, Jason loaded/unloaded
bags, refueled and washed helicopters, all the while figuring out where he would attend
flight school. From the first day, it was clear to the Era team that Jason’s work ethic was
in a class all its own, and for Jason it was clear that he had found his home. Six months

after joining Era, Jason located a flight school and began helicopter training. Saving
every paycheck, he put himself through flight school at Vortex Helicopters in Mississippi,
while continuing to work as a ramp hand at Era’s Port Fourchon Heliport in Louisiana.
As anyone with a similar training circumstance will appreciate, putting oneself through
civilian helicopter flight school on ramp hand wages is no small accomplishment.

As a flight student, Jason certainly did not fail to impress his instructors, examiners, and
most importantly, the owner of the flight school. Jason excelled and completed the 200-
flight-hour professional pilot training program in a period of only eight months, all the
while maintaining his position as a ramp hand at Era and driving over three hours per
day to and from the flight school. Upon completion of the training program, Jason was
immediately offered a position at the school as a flight instructor.

Jason spent the next 10 months working tirelessly for Vortex Helicopters. He would
leave every morning at 4 am to make the drive from his home in Louisiana to the Vortex
heliport in Mississippi. He would always make sure that his students could fly the early 6
am flight when the sun came up. Most nights, Jason would still be at the heliport at 10
pm after completing night instruction or just spending extra time helping students with
their study, before travelling back home to Louisiana to complete the same evolution the
next day starting at 4 am. The hours and effort that Jason put into his job were
incredible, and he was always bright, full of energy and enthusiasm. It was inspirational
to be around him. Incredibly, throughout this time Jason still maintained his position as a
ramp hand for Era Helicopters. He was never idle, and every minute of his days was
dedicated to aviation.

After a 10-month period working at Vortex, Jason had flown nearly 920 hours, making
him eligible for full time employment as a co-pilot at Era. Era's Chief Pilot was very
familiar with Jason’s name. Although Jason was still only a ramp hand, based on his
inspiring positive attitude, exemplary work ethic and thirst for aviation knowledge, he
received unsolicited recommendations from almost every senior Captain in the
company. Not surprisingly, Jason was shortly thereafter offered an interview and

subsequent position as a co-pilot in an S76 type aircraft, which he gladly accepted as it
was his favorite aircraft on the ramp!

Throughout his 16 years at Era, Jason continued to excel. He quickly moved through
the ranks of IFR SIC to VFR Captain and IFR Captain, before his work ethic, dedication
to aviation safety, and strong desire for positive industry change inevitably drew him into
a management role at the company. Over the years, Jason has held the management
roles of Base Lead Pilot, Assistant Chief Pilot, Assistant Director of Operations,
S76/EC225 Check Airman, Operations Manager and now Director of Operations.
Throughout his career at Era, he has been “the go-to-guy” for the employees and
passengers alike. He has been the lifeblood of Era and the company’s drive for aviation
safety and excellence. Anyone who has had the pleasure of working around this man
remembers his name, his work ethic and his selfless ambition.

One of the most surprising and yet very refreshing things about Jason Glynn is his
modesty as an individual, especially in this current age of shameless self-promotion. He
is a professional who has never once asked for recognition for the tireless work he has
completed in pursuit of aviation safety and excellence. He is a professional who shies
away from the limelight, yet he deserves recognition more than most. He is someone
who has made a true difference in this industry. An individual who embodies excellence,
not because it serves his ego, or personal gain, but because it is truly what he lives for.
Anyone who knows the name “Jason Glynn” knows exactly what that means.

Support Material: None

Signed Acknowledgement Form:                     Yes