About Us
F. Patrick Hatch
President
I formed PH Aviation Services as a vehicle to continue
working in my field after I retired from a long career in corporate
aviation—as a pilot, manager, and aircraft broker.
I began my aviation career
(after graduating from Tulane University with a degree in Electrical
Engineering) by entering the U.S. Air Force pilot training program in 1966.
I flew the T-41, T-37, T-38 and C-130E aircraft, including a 1-year tour
in Vietnam, in my 5+ years in the Air Force.
In 1971 I had an opportunity
to start up an airline in Costa Rica. I built the company around
a couple of DC-3 aircraft flying passengers throughout the country. Later
I started a charter service utilizing Piper Aztecs. This company grew into
the premier aircraft charter business in Costa Rica. We had Aztecs, Navajos
and a Cessna Citation before I sold the business in 1979.
I moved to Miami,
FL with my family and started up a corporate flight department
for Del Monte Fresh Fruit Company. Initially, we had a Lear 25 and then
a Lear 35. In 1986, after Del Monte was acquired by R.J. Reynolds Tobacco
Co., I transferred to Winston-Salem, NC, and soon became Director of Aviation
for what was by then RJR Nabisco Inc. We operated Falcon 50s, Falcon 2000s,
Gulfstream IIs, IIIs, and IVs.
I retired from Nabisco in 2000 and went to
work for TAG Aviation USA , first as a G-V captain and base lead
captain at W. Palm Beach, FL, and then as a Regional Vice President of Aircraft
Acquisition & Sales. I
retired again in 2005.
I have found that I really enjoy working
on aviation projects, even if only on a limited basis, as I begin my transition
into full retirement. Perhaps I will never really get there. I enjoy my
work too much.