JAMES ARTHUR HECKMAN

James Arthur Heckman serves as the Chief Pilot for Two Bear Air Rescue, a philanthropically-funded search and rescue aviation unit operating out of Glacier Park International Airport in Kalispell, Montana. Heckman joined the organization in February 2016 as a co-pilot before promoting to Chief Pilot, where he flies rescue missions across the rugged terrain of western Montana, Idaho, Washington, and Oregon.

Heckman's path to the cockpit began with the U.S. Forest Service, where he worked as a ground-based wildland firefighter and helicopter rappel crew member. After completing flight school in Newberg, Oregon, he worked as a flight instructor and backcountry charter pilot for Red Eagle Aviation in Kalispell. He later expanded his mountain flying experience in Alaska, flying passenger, charter, and utility missions over the Alaska Bush and Denali National Park for Era Helicopters.

In his operational flying, Heckman has extensive experience with the twin-engine, hoist-equipped Bell 429 helicopter—often utilizing night-vision goggles, infrared cameras, and avalanche search detectors—and has transitioned to the unit's Airbus H145 D3. He also serves on the Board of Directors and Development Committee for the Friends of the Flathead Avalanche Center. Based in Whitefish, Montana, Heckman administers helicopter practical tests for private, commercial, instrument, ATP, and flight instructor certificates.