Guy Maher

Guy Maher began flying in 1968 and has since logged over 14,000 hours, all in civil aviation. He is a dual-rated pilot, holding an airline transport pilot certificate for helicopters and a commercial pilot certificate for airplanes. As well, he is a certified flight instructor, qualified to teach single- and multi-engine airplane, helicopter, and instrument for both airplanes and helicopters. Since 1989, he has been employed by Air Methods of Englewood, Colorado, flying a Bell 412 on an IFR HEMS contract for NC Baptist Hospital’s AirCare program in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.

As a FAA Aviation Safety Counselor, Guy has performed safety, operation, and human factors training to aviation industry trade groups, associations, and aircraft type-specific organizations during their regional, national and international conventions and meetings. He has also been called upon to provide expert testimony on aviation safety and operational matters.

Guy also owns and operates Lanier Media, a full-service multi-media production and consulting company based in Charlotte, North Carolina. Specializing in aviation safety, training, and marketing video productions since 1978, he has written and produced numerous award-winning productions on flight operations, safety, human factors, public relations, and training.

Guy began his aviation journalism career in 1980 when he started writing and photographing for General Aviation News. Since then he has also written and photographed extensively for Southern Aviator, Rotor & Wing, Air Ambulance and Helicopter World, prior to joining Vertical as a regular contributor.

Maher has owned and operated a number of aircraft over the past 30-plus years, including several single- and multi-engine airplanes and an Enstrom 280C, which he operated for three years on a single-pilot Part 135 certificate. Presently, he owns a Robinson R22, which he uses for aerial photography and video, and also flies a Cessna 177 Cardinal for video production and Vertical assignment travel.

Guy says, “flying is second only to breathing.” Indeed, if he’s not flying Air Method’s Bell 412, his R22, or the Cardinal, he’s either flying another aircraft on a Vertical pilot evaluation, or providing type-specific airplane or helicopter training. Though he says he has had the good fortune to fly a wide variety of helicopters, from the Brantly B2-B to the AW139 and XV-15 Tiltrotor, he still insists that the flying he enjoys most is when he’s in the R22 with the doors off on a cool fall morning.