In 2008, owner and Chief Pilot Heather Howley started Independent Helicopters with just $25. Now in business for over 10 years at both Stewart Airport and Saratoga County Airport. Heather is a Certified Instrument Flight Instructor (CFII) and Airline Transport Pilot flying both helicopters and airplanes with over 7000 hours of flight time. Heather is constantly giving back to her community with interests in supporting the next generation of aviation, Veterans and Cancer organizations. Heather is a Goldman Sachs 10,000 small business graduate, 40 under 40 recipient in Albany and Westchester county, an Orange County Rising Star, and a Hudson Valley Woman of Achievement among other accolades. Independent Helicopters provides helicopter tours with spectacular views of landmarks, landscapes, and cityscapes from the Hudson Valley to New York City, as well as luxury charter flights for business travel or special occasions, aerial photography, utility inspections and service, and more. Our flight school is FAA approved with training for both private and commercial pilot licences. Heather Howley is the only Designated Pilot Examiner (DPE) in the Northeast region.