Steve Helmer

Steve Helmer is a Flight Test and Demonstration Pilot for Textron Aviation Defense. A Kansas native, he has been a pilot for more than 24 years, beginning first as a private pilot- later flying the F/A-18 as a US Naval Aviator and test pilot. He is a 2005 graduate of the United States Merchant Marine Academy, and 2014 USNTPS graduate of class 146. Steve has extensive experience with weapon system development and operational flying in the F/A-18, and Part 23 and 25 flight test experience across multiple commercial platforms. Over his career, Steve has accumulated more than 3200 flight hours in 50 different types of aircraft (including Leonardo’s M-346) and 400 aircraft carrier landings. Today, he flies T-6, AT-6, Scorpion, Citation 525 and 700, and is a Wichita area flight instructor.