AirTracker pilot Rich Westra is a Colorado native. He was born and raised in Denver and has been a pilot since age 18.

How long have you been flying for KMGH TV?
I have been on board with KMGH for 20-plus years.

What is your background?
I learned to fly airplanes in college. After school I went to work for a small helicopter company and got my helicopter pilot's license.

Knowing I wanted to fly helicopters, I joined the army as a pilot. I flew Hueys and Blackhawks during my service. I believe the army trains the best helicopter pilots and the experience was great. An average pilot needs 40 hours of instruction to get a license. The army gives new pilots over 250 hours of instruction before being considered a pilot.

What is your experience in journalism?
After the army I flew for a production company filming movies and commercials. I didn't like it because I was only paid when we had work and I never knew when I was going to work again. I decided to pack up and head for home (Colorado). On the way, I stopped at a helicopter company in St. Louis to see if they needed a pilot. I was hired to fly for the ABC affiliate in St. Louis. Three years later I was offered a position here at Denver's 7 and I have been home ever since.

How many flight hours do you have and what have you flown?
I have over 10,000 flight hours as pilot in command. I am also a certified flight instructor. I have flow most U.S. and foreign helicopters. I also got to fly a Russian helicopter once. That was an experience. The Russians build their helicopters like locomotives: function not comfort. I can also fly airplanes, but helicopters are my expertise.

Do you have any other hobbies?
Living in Colorado is a person's hobby. I mountain bike, hike, water ski, snow ski and this year I started snowshoeing. I love to be outside.

To learn more about Rich's company, Aviation Technology Services, go to ATSHelo.com.

E-Mail Rich Westra! Send e-mail to rwestra@thedenverchannel.com.