Today we’d like to introduce you to Jeff Hubbard.
Jeff, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
The idea of starting a helicopter company began years ago after I taught my business partner Monica how to fly. At first the conversation about opening our own helicopter company was just a pipe dream, but the more we chatted about it, the more it began to take shape. We started looking for an aircraft while applying for our FAA permitting and finalizing a detailed business plan. We finally purchased our helicopter, an Airbus AS350B3, in the fall of 2015. Since then, we’ve been promoting our unique services and providing passengers with the most unobstructed, panoramic views Boston has to offer. We fly everything from doors-off photo missions, whale watching, aerial tours, engagement flights, and corporate charters to government support contracts.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
From the start there’s been plenty of bumps in the road. Working with banks to get startup money to help purchase the helicopter took time and patience. Finding the right aircraft that could accommodate all the different missions we offer was a longer process than expected. After hearing that the proposed Boston public heliport wouldn’t be approved, we’ve had to refocus our efforts in new areas. Finding ways to keep the helicopter flying all year in a very seasonal location has been and will continue to be our largest balancing act.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
Tuckamore Aviation is a start-up helicopter business based out of Norwood Memorial Airport with a single, high-performance Airbus helicopter capable of carrying up to 5 passengers. We do tours around Boston but also fly unique photo flights over the Boston Harbor Islands and lighthouses. We’re able to fly charters to a variety of locations all around New England, the Cape and Islands, and New York. One unique type of flight we offer is a helicopter whale watching tour over Stellwagen Bank through the spring, summer and fall. What we’re best known for is our doors-off photo flights around Boston and the harbor. Our “Hover Boston’ experience allows up to 4 passengers to orbit in the open air above the city to take great photos and enjoy spectacular sights of the world-famous and history-rich hub of the Northeast suspended 1000ft above the city streets! Our ability to customize a variety of missions and tours and our willingness to put the customer first sets us apart.
What were you like growing up?
I’m a local kid who grew up just outside of Boston loving anything that flies, drives or floats. I started flying fixed wing planes when I was a teenager and converted over to helicopters over about ten years ago. I have had the opportunity to fly in several states across the US including New York and Alaska before coming back to Boston to help build Tuckamore Aviation.
Pricing:
- 30 minute Doors-off City Tour $199.oo/person
- 45 minute Harbor and City Tour $299.00/person
Contact Info:
- Address: 209 Access Rd
Norwood, MA 02062 - Website: www.tuckamoreaviation.com
- Phone: 888-435-4560
- Email: jeff@tuckamoreaviation.com
- Other:
Image Credit:
The three photos of the outside of the helicopter are by Paul Cantrell.
The photo looking back at the city is by Marissa Davis.
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