More detail on this person: Helicopter Association International (HAI) sincerely regrets the passing of industry stalwart and past chairman of the Board of Directors James O. Wisecup. Service information is pending and will be provided when available. Wisecup, a highly experienced 16,000-hour dual-rated pilot, retired from his post as assistant chief pilot of helicopter air ambulance (HAA) operator Air Methods in July 2019. Never one to sit still, Jim had just completed the requirements for a bachelor's degree in aviation science from Southern Utah University (SUU). He was awarded the FAA's Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award in late June in recognition of his 50 years of professional, safe flight. "Jim was a highly respected member of the rotorcraft community, and we will miss his knowledge and leadership," says HAI President and CEO James A. Viola. "He was an advocate for safe flying, training, and mentorship, and he was always willing to share his experience and passion for flying." Growing up in the Houston area, Jim knew even as a teenager that he wanted to fly for a living - his first ride in an airplane had taught him that - so he joined the US Army, which was then recruiting high-school graduates to fill helicopter pilot positions in Vietnam. During his year in-country, Wisecup flew for the MACV-SOG unit, which conducted special ops missions. Characteristically, he turned his year of living dangerously into a funny story, remarking that he had had three engine failures caused by FOD (foreign object damage). The first was caused by a mortar round, the second by an artillery shell, and the third by a rocket-propelled grenade. He earned several decorations, including a Purple Heart, Silver Star, Bronze Star, and multiple air medals. Wisecup was discharged in April 1971 and used his GI benefits to get his fixed-wing ratings, but his real goal was to get a job in the helicopter industry. He started as a line pilot in 1974, flying for Offshore Helicopters in Texas, and five years later was chief pilot for Bristow Helicopters US operations. His work for Bristow took him all around the world. After a stint at Arctic Air, Jim next moved to the HAA sector in 1987, working first for Rocky Mountain Helicopters and, after 2002, for Air Methods Corp. In a 2018 interview with ROTOR magazine, Jim explained his long tenure in air ambulance this way: "It felt like the right place to make a difference - helping pilots to be better pilots, our managers to be better managers, and my check airmen to be better check airmen. Because if we can help each other, it's a whole lot easier." "Jim was a true leader at Air Methods who positively impacted nearly every aviator that came through Air Methods in the last two decades," says Raj Helweg, chief pilot at Air Methods. "He was a foundational part of how we train our pilots today. When I first came to Air Methods, he mentored me, as well as so many others, on how to become an aviation operations manager. We truly lost a great aviator, a wonderful educator, and a tremendous person and friend." Throughout his career, Wisecup made a point of sharing his knowledge and experience with the rotorcraft community. He was an active HAI volunteer, serving on the Air Medical, Flight Operations, and Heliport Committees. His contributions were noticed by the industry, which elected him to the HAI Board of Directors, and he served as the 2018-19 chairman of the association. His last term on the board ended on June 30, 2020. Wisecup was also active in the SUU College of Aerospace Sciences and Technology. There, he served as chairman of the Aviation Advisory Board, advanced flight instructor, and FAA designated pilot examiner, while mentoring hundreds of pilots. SUU representatives calculate that, since 2013, Wisecup had performed approximately 700 check rides with its students. "SUU was truly blessed to have Jim Wisecup as part of our family," says Michael Mower, executive director and chief instructor, College of Aerospace Sciences and Technologies. "His influence and involvement over the last decade have left an indelible mark on a multitude of young and old pilots. The course of SUU's aviation program is forever changed because of Jim's guidance." Jim is survived by his wife, Jessica, and their five children, spouses, and six grandchildren. James "Jim" Oliver Wisecup, 71, passed away, surrounded by his family, from cancer on July 30, 2020. Jim was born June 17, 1949 in Racine, Wisconsin to Oliver and Addie Wisecup and was joined a few years later by his brother, Robert. He grew up in Houston, Texas, where he got his first taste of flying in 1966. After high school, he attended the University of Houston for one year before joining the U.S. Army to become a helicopter pilot. Jim's long and distinguished flying career began in the Army, where he completed flight training and was sent to Vietnam as a member of the "Comancheros" in the 101st Airborne Division from 1969-1970. In short order, he became a highly-respected and experienced UH-1 instructor pilot, a recurring theme over his career. Jim's combat tour was punctuated by his third time being shot down. Typical of Jim's sacrifices for others, he expertly piloted his crippled ship into the "biggest tree he could find" to give his crew and passengers the best chance to survive. Despite his own life-threatening injuries, he took charge of the scene to make sure everyone on the helicopter was recovered. He was awarded the Silver Star, Purple Heart, Bronze Star, and Air Medal with 25 oak leaf clusters for his combat service. Jim was active in Vietnam veteran groups later in life. After his Active Duty Army service, Jim continued his career as a helicopter pilot for another 50 years, flying for the Department of the Interior, then the offshore oil industry in Texas, Scotland, Malaysia, and California, before transitioning to air medical service with Rocky Mountain Helicopters and Air Methods in Tulsa, Oklahoma and across Utah. His professional career culminated with his retirement as Assistant Chief Pilot for Air Methods in 2019 and as Chairman of the Board of Helicopter Association International in 2020. He also received the Federal Aviation Administration's prestigious Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award for 50 years of professionalism, skills, and aviation expertise while piloting aircraft. Jim was generous with his time and experience, measuring his success by the people he was able to teach, mentor, and support. He was a tireless advocate for aviation safety, pioneering the use of night vision for civil aviation, among many other initiatives across the industry. He also enjoyed his time as an instructor, evaluator, and student at Southern Utah University (SUU), completing his degree after a 50 year hiatus. A helicopter flyover at SUU's commencement ceremony on Saturday, August 8, 2020 will be dedicated to Jim. Jim was infinitely humble, except when talking about his family. For all his professional accomplishments, Jim's pride and joy was his family. He is survived by his beloved wife, Jessica, and their children and grandchildren: Donnie, Megan, and Evan; Tim, Bridget, Geoffry, Dalton, and Gabrielle; John, Rebecca, and Lizzie; Kimberly and Jake; and Bradley, Jordin, Maddix, Ellie, and Colt. He enjoyed spending time with family across the country, holding and playing with his grandkids, traveling, telling stories and playing card games over a cold beer, and a good Jimmy Buffet song. A memorial service will be held on Sunday, August 9, 2020 at 1:00 pm at Shepherd of the Hills United Methodist Church in St. George, Utah, followed by military honors. Due to current public health orders, in-person attendance will be limited, but the service can be viewed online by visiting SHUMC's video page at https://www.youtube.com/user/shumcstgeorge/vide os. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in Jim's name to Whirly-Girls Scholarship Fund at https://whirlygirls.org/scholarship-fund/. Please send condolences, memories, and words of support for Jim's family to thewisecupfamily@gmail.com
This information was last updated 08/10/2020
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Date posted on this site: 07/12/2025
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