Dan Megna

Dan Megna is a deputy sheriff with one of Southern California’s largest sheriffs departments. After 11 years working a variety of assignments including several years with SWAT, Dan had an opportunity to compete for a position with the department’s aviation division. In 1991, Dan was successful in his bid for the slot and within a short time earned his wings as a commercial helicopter pilot. To date, he has logged over 8,000 hours in helicopters, 5,000 hours as PIC in MD500 series and Bell 205s. In addition to airborne law enforcement, his unit provides SAR and firefighting support to public safety agencies throughout the 4,200-square-mile county. Dan’s primary role today is that of a firefighting pilot. He also serves as a helicopter CFI and an instructor pilot for the division’s NVG program.

Photography has been a serious pursuit of Dan’s for many years. After shooting portraiture, weddings and action sports, it was only natural for Dan to incorporate photography with his new job in aviation. He found ample opportunities to develop and refine his air-to-air shooting techniques and eventually decided to specialize in aviation. Dan’s images began to take on a quality and style that gave him confidence to consider marketing his work. At the same time, he also started to concentrate on his writing. He recognized that he could more easily market his photography talents by contributing articles and images to helicopter industry trade publications where a large audience could see his work.

In the beginning, photojournalism was not necessarily part of Dan’s plan. He wanted to focus primarily on photography. But Dan soon realized that the adventures associated with it were unique and without assignments to open some doors, many experiences and opportunities may be lost. There was also the desired effect on his own photography business, providing the means for Dan to get his name and work known throughout the industry. Many familiar photos used today by companies for their marketing are Dan’s images. He has also provided large framed fine art prints of company and personally owned aircraft that hang in homes and offices around the country.

“I appreciate all I’ve accomplished as a professional helicopter pilot, photographer and writer,” says Dan. “The fact that I’ve been able to merge these pursuits has been both educational and rewarding in so many ways. And today as I leaf through the pages of Vertical I feel so fortunate to be a part of this dynamic industry and a part of the team responsible for producing this brilliant magazine.