Metro Aviation celebrates 40th anniversary

“It’s unbelievable to be celebrating such a milestone this year, and I attribute our success to our employees,” said Metro Aviation President and CEO Mike Stanberry. “As a family-owned and family-oriented company that puts its employees and customers first, we’ve been able to make great strides in safety and innovative technologies, unbound by constraints of shareholders or board members.” 

Echoing his father’s sentiments, Metro Co-Owner and Director of Business Integration Todd Stanberry added: “Metro is truly an industry disruptor. We are not afraid to challenge the status quo, and we are really proud to have such an amazing family of employees and customers who not only share that vision, but partner with us to continually fulfil it.”

Metro was the first air medical operator to equip its entire fleet with Night Vision Goggles (NVGs). In 2014, it was one of only three organizations to achieve Level IV of the FAA’s voluntary Safety Management System Pilot Project for Part 135 operators. Metro may also have been the first to utilize video recording in the cockpit, first installed during the 1990s by Managing Director Milton Geltz with a camera from the local audio-visual store.  

Continuing to invest in safety initiatives

Aside from its completions and operations business, Metro is also the parent company to PAC International and the Helicopter Flight Training Center. Metro first acquired Pennsylvania-based PAC 10 years ago. PAC completes numerous aircraft for organizations across the country and serves as a completion center for Metro customers in the north-east US. In 2012, Metro opened the Helicopter Flight Training Center, catering to pilots, mechanics, and communication specialists. Together, the Metro Companies create a well-rounded brand to meet the needs of the helicopter community

Looking forward to the future, Metro Aviation is continuing to invest in safety initiatives and completion capabilities. The company welcomed three new operations customers in 2021, and its completion center is on track to complete nearly 35 aircraft in 2022. 

Metro Aviation is displaying at HAI HELI-EXPO in Dallas, on 8–10 March, at Booth 7736. This year’s booth will feature a Texas DPS H125 and an EC145e completed for Wisconsin-based Flight For Life. Staff from both programs will be on hand at Metro’s booth to answer questions and demonstrate aircraft capabilities.