Versatile Aviation, Inc.

About Us

General Information: Versatile started as a maintenance facility for Bell helicopters in 1964.  In 1965 we received F.A.A. designation as a flight school.  In our 35 years of continuous operation we have engaged in most of the commercial operations possible for light fixed-wing and helicopter flying, including opening new territory in selected areas.
  We are located on the Downtown Executive Airport in Ardmore, Oklahoma, midway between Dallas, Texas and Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.  This provides us with a small town atmosphere with the convenience of metropolitan access.

Specific information about various business operations may be found on other pages within this web site.

Facilities:  Included in our operations base is a 2,500 sq. ft. maintenance hanger, a 200 sq. ft. component room, several parts rooms, Instructor and executive offices, student training rooms, computer testing facilities, flight planning areas, and various other storage and equipment spaces.

Equipment:  The equipment we operate changes as the needs of the industry vary.  For helicopter operations we have used all of the Bell 47 models, most of the Bell 206 series, Robinson R-22's, and occasionally other aircraft that have come along.  We are currently using Bell 47's exclusively for the helicopter training.

Personnel:  Our staff lives up to our name -- Versatile.  We each have our particular area of expertise, of course, but often find ourselves performing multiple functions outside the designated job descriptions of Flight instructor, Mechanic, Secretary, etc.  This cross-training enables our company to have more flexibility in the tasks we accomplish or the clients we serve.

Keith Hickman, President, Founder, and the heart of our business, began his aviation career in the 1940's.  Before starting the company he worked for American and Delta Airlines, Allied Aircraft, Ag-rotors Helicopter's and numerous small FBOs in the light fixed-wing and helicopter industry.  He has well over 15,000 accident free flying hours in helicopters as well as an exemplary fixed-wing record.  In addition to being a CFI, Keith is an A & P mechanic with Inspection Authorization.

Wilma, often noted as the soul of the business, helps maintain the accounting and records side of things.  In addition, her duties include ordering books and supplies. Although her B.A. is in accounting we often find her natural inclinations run more toward student and customer interactions, and of course caring for her little dog, Pepper and April.

Randy has a B.A. in Ethical Religious Studies and Masters work in Philosophy, Psychology, and Social Work.  He is also a certified commercial and instrument pilot in helicopter and airplane.  He is currently working on his instructor's ratings.

Kerry's B.A. is in aviation sciences.  He is an A&P Mechanic with inspection authorization and currently works on the larger Bell turbine equipment.

Company Policies:  We at Versatile welcome clients of every ethnic and racial origin, religious belief, age, and sex.  Having served students and operators from over 35 countries, we recognize that no two people are the same.  We therefore attempt to tailor our services to fit the people requesting them.
   Payment is expected on a cash basis and banking information is available on request.  Occasionally special arrangements are made for those having access to other resources.  The State of Alaska Student Loan Program, for example, has arrangements with Versatile to provide funding for selected students.
   In any human interaction we find there to be stated and unstated objectives.  We'll do our best to have comfortable, friendly relationships with all based on mutually agreed goals.  It is the duty of the client to be honest and complete in helping us achieve this objective.  We will return the consideration!  If it appears, through repeated exposure, that you are operating in situations deemed unsafe or dishonest we reserve the right to terminate the relationship.  Alcohol or illegal drug use will not be tolerated in relationship to flying.