South Coast Helicopters began in 1990, with Cliff and Kathy Fleming providing aerial construction services, fire suppression support services and aerospace research and development services. Because Cliff’s piloting skills were in high demand for film, TV and commercials, the film industry has dominated their business since almost the day they began. Their son, Cory, joined the business in 1994 and has become an integral part of South Coast Helicopters’ team and is a member of the Motion Picture Pilots Association.

On top of all this, Cliff Fleming is also a member of the Screen Actors Guild, Directors Guild of America, American Federation of Television and Radio Artists and the Stuntmen’s Association of Motion Pictures.

South Coast Helicopters has a contract with the US Forestry Service to supply helicopters for fire suppression.

Additionally, we were honored when NASA and the JPL called on Cliff Fleming and his mission-critical skills to help retrieve the Genesis space satellite upon its return from its mission. Unforeseen conditions prevented a successful, planned, mid-air retrieval, but South Coast Helicopters made its mark on the project. For more information on the Genesis satellite and South Coast Helicopters’ involvement, check out Here Comes the Sun.

Our pilots are fully-accredited members of SAG, AFTRA and MPPA. We operate turbine helicopters based in Orange County, California, Van Nuys California and New Orleans, Louisiana. In addition, we have access to aircraft based throughout the United States.