Hidden Gems: Meet Anthony Hicks of Deep Blue Adventure&Aviation LLC

Today we’d like to introduce you to Anthony Hicks

Anthony, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I have been involved in Aviation most of my life. I flew for 8 years in the Navy and then flew for the airlines, worked as a corporate pilot, and have been a mentor and instructor pilot since that time. Along the way, I worked my way through a Master’s Program in Geological Science. Part of that program was Meteorology, and we went on a Storm Chase in 2012. Storm Chasing and Tracking has since become a consistent hobby of mine. Since getting out of military service, I noticed that I was somewhat of an adrenaline junkie. This seems to be a common theme in many veterans. Part of my business is to provide discounted adventures to veterans, including storm chase and storm tracking trips.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
My career has been anything but a smooth road. Naval Aviation itself has many ups and downs and Aviation was not the easiest (or best) industry for a very long time. It has only in the past 5 or so years become somewhat lucrative again. Money for education (and life in general) has been a barrier to success. At one point (when living in Austin, TX) I had 5 part time jobs. At one point I even had to cash in a 401K just to pay the costs of living. Just this past fall, I lost my heart and soul (my dog, Buddy). That is now the name of the Storm Chase Vehicle—The Storm Buddy.
Breaking free from steady paychecks is not easy, and I am sure there will be many more hurdles, but this business will kick off in earnest in April of this year.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Deep Blue Adventure&Aviation consists of two main areas. The Aviation side is primarily geared to provide contract pilot services. These services include aircraft relocation (movement), instructor pilot services, mentor pilot services, and many other services where pilots are needed. These services range from providing training and evaluations for charter companies to instructor pilot roles to aircraft ferry services. The adventure side of the company provides storm chase/tracking trips. I will offer discounts for Veterans who want to go on these trips. I am looking to run trips with smaller groups and to run it as a largely educational adventure. By the end of the trip, we are looking to have the clients be more participatory in the process.
While I am physically located in Knoxville, TN, most of my business will take place in different locales.

Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
Risk taking is an integral part of both Aviation and Storm Chasing. I mentor pilot clients in this area regarding weather and their trips. I teach them how to better navigate convective weather and how to use their onboard weather radar. At times, clients have trips where they intend to take their aircraft (this could be business or personal flying) but the weather is not ideal. Perhaps there is a strong cold front that will trigger many storms across their intended flight path. I help give them more insight as to whether or not they can take that trip and how best to manage the risks should they decide the risks are manageable.
Another type of risk I face is financial. Leaving the “grind” and facing an uncertain financial future is definitely a risk as well. I intend to approach the business financial risks in the same way as physical risk For example, I will take clients into proximity with severe rotating super cell thunderstorms. That definitely entails risk. I will make sure that we have appropriate escape routes and always stay updated on the “big picture” to make sure that we are best managing those risks. So, for the financial risks, I am doing the “do diligence” that I can think of to help the business get off to a good start. I am hoping to strike the right balance in order not to jump blindly into this business, yet not be crippled with “analysis paralysis.”

Pricing:

• Daily contract pilot rate is 1500
• Storm chase Approximately 2800

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.deepblueadventureandaviation.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/deep_blue_adventureandaviation?igsh=MXJrNXkyZGoxamo3Nw%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/18VQFnFE2f/?mibextid=wwXIfr
• LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/anthony-hicks-081b90279