FAA Recognizes TCSAR at the Highest Level of Aviation Safety and Operational Standards

Jackson, Wyo. — On July 14, Teton County Search & Rescue was formally recognized by the Federal Aviation Administration after earning its second of two certifications that place its helicopter program among the highest operational standards in the United States.

At the TCSAR headquarters on Tuesday, Dale Ogden, manager of the FAA’s Denver Flight Standards District Office, and Derek Smith, Principal Operations Inspector, presented the team with a Part 135 Air Carrier certificate, its second certification to be issued by the FAA.

The FAA’s Dale Ogden presents Teton County Sheriff Matt Carr and TCSAR’s aviation team with the Part 135 Air Carrier certificate. Also pictured are TCSAR Chief Pilot Steve Wilson (left), TCSAR Director of Aviation Operations Jon Bourke (second from right), and TCSAR Director of Aviation Maintenance Cole Deines (right). Photo: Sam Pope

TCSAR first completed its Part 133 External Load Operator certification more than two years ago, allowing the organization to safely and legally conduct external load operations under FAA oversight. Those capabilities support work for partners such as the Wyoming Department of Transportation and Jackson Hole Mountain Resort while ensuring the program operates under the same regulatory framework as commercial helicopter operators. Together these certifications signify that TCSAR meets rigorous federal requirements for pilot training, aircraft maintenance, safety management, operational procedures, and organizational oversight. 

TCSAR’s helicopter program has grown steadily since the red H125 arrived in Jackson in October 2023, now performing roughly 60 rescue missions per year. Photo: Anthony Pecchi

While commercial aviation companies must obtain these certifications to transport passengers or conduct external load operations for hire, public aircraft operators such as TCSAR are not required to do so. TCSAR voluntarily pursued the certifications to demonstrate its commitment to the highest level of aviation safety and accountability.

“Our goal was to build trust by ensuring our aviation program is held to the same standards expected of commercial operators working for federal agencies,” said Jon Bourke, TCSAR Director Of Aviation Operations. “We wanted independent oversight from the FAA to demonstrate our commitment to safety, professionalism and operational excellence.”

The newly awarded Part 135 Air Carrier certification marks the completion of an even more extensive process. The certification required years of developing and gaining FAA approval for operating manuals, maintenance programs, pilot training, safety procedures, and organizational systems, followed by comprehensive inspections of personnel, aircraft, and facilities.

Left to right: GTNP Deputy Chief Ranger Matt Wilber, TCSAR Volunteer Tim Ciocarlan, Bernie Little, Flight Standards District Office Manager Derek Smith, Sheriff Matt Carr, TCSAR Dir. of Aviation Ops Jon Bourke, TCSAR Chief Advisor Anthony Stevens, TCSAR Chief Pilot Steve Wilson, TCSAR Dir. of Aviation Maintenance Cole Deines, GTNP Acting Jenny Lake District Ranger Nick Armitage, TCSAR Volunteer Alex Norton, TCSO SAR Coordinator Mike Estes. Photo: Sam Pope

Achieving both certifications means TCSAR’s aviation program is now subject to ongoing FAA surveillance and oversight, providing continued assurance that it maintains the highest recognized federal safety standards.

The certifications also strengthen TCSAR’s ability to support federal partners, including Grand Teton National Park, Yellowstone National Park, and Bridger-Teton National Forest, under existing cooperative agreements. By meeting the same standards required of commercial contractors, TCSAR can continue providing critical aviation support while giving federal agencies confidence that its operations meet the same level of safety expected throughout the aviation industry.

The TCSAR helicopter is an invaluable emergency response public service for the entire region. Photo: Griffin Kerwin

Although TCSAR now holds certifications that would allow commercial operations under FAA regulations, the organization is not entering the commercial aviation business. Its mission remains unchanged: providing emergency search and rescue to those in need, as well as fire-fighting initial attack for agencies who need their assistance.

About TCSAR: Teton County Search & Rescue is a volunteer-led organization based in Jackson, Wyoming, that provides search and rescue services throughout Teton County and surrounding areas. In October 2023, the team acquired an Airbus H125 helicopter after completing a community-funded campaign to establish a dedicated, year-round aviation program. The program is staffed by a pilot, director of operations, and director of maintenance employed by the Teton County Sheriff’s Office, and supports approximately 60 helicopter rescue missions each year. All TCSAR rescue services are provided free of charge to the general public.

Media contact: Matt Hansen, TCSAR Foundation Communications Director, matt@tetoncountysar.org, (970) 846-7766

TCSAR Picks Up Distressed Backpackers from Teton Crest Trail

Just before 1 p.m. on Monday, May 25, Teton County Search & Rescue received an emergency alert for two backpackers in distress on the Teton Crest Trail. Two males, ages 20 and 22, in a group of four from out of state were reportedly vomiting and having difficulty walking through the snow. Their location placed them south of Hurricane Pass in Alaska Basin.

On May 25, Teton County Search & Rescue picked up two backpackers from the Teton Crest Trail after they were unable to continue on their own. Photo: TCSAR

A TCSAR volunteer was able to connect with the group via cell phone. The group said at that time they would try to hike out, but called back about an hour later saying that the two hikers could not continue. 

TCSAR responded with a team in the helicopter, and placed a ground team on standby in the event of inclement weather. The helicopter landed near the hikers and the team loaded them internally for the flight back to SAR HQ in Jackson. The entire mission took 4 hours, 1 minute.

This incident serves as a good reminder that the Tetons are still holding quite a bit of snow above 9,500 feet, which can make traveling on foot difficult and hazardous. Hikers should be prepared to use ice axes and crampons, and be acclimatized for high alpine adventures.

TCSAR Picks Up Two Rescues On April 18-19

Jackson, Wyo. — Teton County Search & Rescue responded to two emergency calls over the weekend, showing again the range of skills our volunteers deploy during this seasonal transition.

At 2:45 p.m. on Saturday, April 18, a local male snowboarder suffered a severe leg injury while descending a line on the Great White Hump, located north of Teton Pass. It was the second time this month that a skier or snowboarder had been injured after getting caught in an avalanche in this same zone.

In response, TCSAR assembled a short-haul team in the helicopter. The team made contact with the patient about 54 minutes after the initial 911 call. Our team credits the patient’s group for providing interim care before the volunteers were on scene. That care included: Keeping the patient warm with extra clothes and a space blanket; securing the patient in a safe location; cutting out a flat platform to help the responding volunteers load/secure/treat/extract the patient during a heli operation.

TCSAR then short-hauled the patient to a waiting ambulance on Teton Pass, completing the mission in 2 hours, 36 minutes.

The Great White Hump has been the location of two short-haul rescues in April 2026, both involving avalanches. Photo: TCSAR

This incident is another reminder for skiers and snowboarders to be extra cautious during this transitional period in the Tetons, when snow conditions may change rapidly from hour to hour, day to day.

The second rescue call of the weekend came at 4:53 p.m. on Sunday, April 19. This incident concerned two hikers who had been attempting to walk from Cache Creek to the Game Creek Divide and then return via the Skyline trail.

After ascending the Game Creek Divide, the party called 911 to say they were too exhausted to continue. The hikers were advised to begin walking back to the Cache/Game junction where a team of volunteers would meet them.

Two TCSAR volunteers dispatched in a side-by-side vehicle up Cache. When they could not locate the party at the Cache/Game junction, the volunteers hiked about 1.5 miles up the trail, where they found the tired hikers. The volunteers gave them food and water and assisted them back down the trail to the vehicle. From there, the team transported them to their vehicle at the Cache Creek trailhead.