In 2011, Nick moved to Oregon where he converted his EASA pilot licenses to FAA Commercial, Instrument and Flight Instructor Certificates. While completing his flight training, he founded Heli Aviation in 2012, a flight training and utility helicopter company, headquartered in Tampa, FL with a satellite base in Broomfield, CO. Originally, Heli Aviation provided turbine flight training with the intention of providing such at a affordable rate. At the time, his fleet consisted of one Robinson R66 Turbine helicopter, which was the only R66 helicopter utilized for commercial purposes at the time. During that time, consumer demand was strong for affordable flight training services, which provided Heli Aviation with the opportunity for growth and to direct their focus into entering the helicopter utility industry. By 2014, his fleet has expanded to consist of 7 helicopters, which provided services for forest management prescribed burning, firefighting operations, search and rescue missions, aerial surveys and powerline inspection work. In late 2014, Herle acquired Diamond Helicopters, LLC which provided an active 14 CFR 135 Certification, which opened the doors for Heli Aviation’s major shift towards providing governmental contracts and specialized utility services, more specifically external-load operations. By 2015, Herle obtained a 14 CFR 133 External-Load Certificate, prompting his management team to begin investing into developing a patented aerial saw, for vegetation clearing along powerline right-of-ways. Parallel to Herle’s shift into the external-load industry, he acquired a 14 CFR 137 Agricultural Spraying Certificate, which allowed for the inclusion of chemicals during Heli Aviation’s fire suppression programs. The expansion into the specialized utility sector, proved to be a decision which would prompt the company’s growth and launch of a satellite base in Broomfield, Colorado. 

In late 2018, a significant televised helicopter crash in New York City, brought much criticism and concern towards the Part 91 Sightseeing Tours operations provided throughout the United States, more specifically the doors-off-experiences. Herle realized, these operators lacked the familiarity and equipment that was standard in the helicopter utility industry. This realization inspired his launch of a new company, flyVENTURE, LLC, which offered the general public doors-off-helicopter-experiences using the safety standards and equipment prolifically used throughout the utility industry. The formation of flyVENTURE also provided a new brand, under which Heli Aviation could transfer its tourist and non-utility services towards. This separation of the brands functions allowed Nick to still provide a multitude of helicopter services under companies that were able to maintain their specialized focuses. 

To this day, Nick has a 17-year accident/incident free flying record.

 Naturally-occurring fires caused by lightning  once played a major role in forming and maintaining much of Florida’s  pine lands, sandhills, scrub areas, prairies and wetlands. Over time,  many wildlife species came to depend on the nourishing vegetation that  burst from fire-enriched soils. Today, the FWC in cooperation with Heli Aviation uses safely-controlled prescribed fire techniques to  improve and maintain habitats for deer, quail, turkey and many other wildlife species.

Nick Herle is donating $25,000 through two charitable organizations sending food, supplies and helicopters to Bahamian communities recently stricken by hurricane Matthew. For his generous effort, Herle received the Presidential Letter of Appreciation (PLOA) from President Trump in 2017.

Helicopters inspire children to think outside the normal confines of everyday life. Nick Herle frequently participates in community school and youth focused events, in hopes to expose and inspire our future leaders of tomorrow in pursuing the many career opportunities possible in aviation.