Mile High Aircraft Services Specializes in the GA Aircraft Owner

CO – The owner of Mile High Aircraft Services’, Adam Hettinger, has carved out a business model specializing in personally flown General Aviation aircraft. 

The road to success has been a diverse one, especially in aviation. How diverse? There’s the path that made him a proud member of the Army’s 82nd Airborne—his time there included tours in Kosovo as a peacekeeper, and a year in Iraq, helping clear roads of IEDs. After his time with the Army, he became a Certified Flight Instructor for California Flight Academy, where he became their Chief Flight Instructor. He thought becoming an A&P would be an excellent asset for a corporate flying career. With new credentials earned, he found himself working for Tempest Aviation on Pilatus PC-12 aircraft. Being a guy who doesn’t mind change, he found himself in Colorado. He was the Director of Maintenance for Executive Air East, a neighboring aircraft maintenance facility at Colorado Air and Space Port (KCFO).  

Bill Zempel, the owner of Mile High Aircraft Services, liked working on planes more than running a small business. Bill approached Adam about buying his business, and Adam thought it was a great opportunity. Bill continues his career journey as an A&P mechanic doing what he really loves. Adam took the reins and has increased sales by 300%+ over three years of ownership. This made two A&P/IAs very happy. Like almost all maintenance shops today, they’re always looking for more talent to help with the increasing business, which is a challenge in today’s world. The demand for A&P mechanics is at its highest level, and many companies have significant sign-on bonuses.  

One day, in walks Gabe Durkee, a young man who wanted to become an A&P. Gabe may be young, but he knew what he wanted. He found the path to his license by working as an apprentice with Adam and Bill. He successfully passed the written exams and practical tests in roughly three years to become a certified aircraft technician. Gabe is now working for Commute Air at Denver International Airport (KDEN), but you will also find him part-time with his old mentors. Aircraft owners have many choices about where to bring their planes for maintenance, but Mile High is hard to beat for personalized service.  

Written by Spencer Mamber, Broker Associate, BA Group Advisors