From Upper Limit to Papillon Helicopters

Troy Barnum's journey from Upper Limit to +Papillon Grand Canyon Helicopters

It can still be hard for Troy Barnum to believe that he's a pilot. When he's in the air and observing the vast scenery below, it can all be a bit surreal to him. Having graduated from Boise State University in Idaho with a bachelor's degree in Business Administration, the next step in his career brought him to flight school, with the support of his wife and family. Upon completing flight school, he became a flight instructor with Upper Limit, helping other students pursue their passions.

After instructing other students at Upper Limit, he took his first job flying tours in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. The opportunity showed Troy just how diverse flying helicopters can be. "Helicopters are different from airplanes, you get to do random things like drop Easter eggs and golf balls, that makes flying helicopters a lot of fun," he says about his time in South Carolina.

Troy's latest gig is flying for +Papillon Grand Canyon Helicopters out of Las Vegas, Nevada, to give tours of the Grand Canyon by air. "I look forward to continuing my progression in learning new things. The Grand Canyon is one of the seven wonders in the world and I get to fly it everyday."

Read Troy's full story: http://goo.gl/w4OX6U



Read a preview of Troy's story from our website:

“Almost everyday during flight training or flying tours you just have an Ah-Ha moment in the air when it just hits you that this is gorgeous and you can’t believe you get to do this,” said Troy Barnum, former helicopter Flight Instructor for Upper Limit Aviation. 

An aptitude test taken in high school is what ignited the spark of curiosity for Troy to look into the aviation industry.  The test recommended he seek a career in fixing airplanes but he saw himself flying them instead. “The test said my interest would lie in being an airplane mechanic, and I said ‘I don’t know about turning wrenches but I’ll go fly the darn things’ and from there that’s where it all started.”Troy Barnum - Flight Instructor Upper Limit Aviation

Troy attended Boise State University in Boise Idaho and earned a bachelor in Business Administration.  After he was done with his degree he decided to go to flight school where Tina Barnum, Troy’s wife helped to keep him motivated throughout his training. Read more