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

Season Finale from The Fine Line: "No Name: How Far Are You Willing To Go?"

Season 8 of The Fine Line concludes with a wild story that demonstrates how there will always be people who go right up to the edge in the Tetons, and venture beyond it despite the risks.

The story includes the keen perspectives of Teton County Search & Rescue volunteer Anthony Stevens and TCSAR Chief Pilot Steve Wilson, and how they rescued local snowboarder Sasha Motivala after a traumatic accident on No Name Peak on April 12, 2024.

Please tune in for this thought-provoking conversation about risk tolerance, decision-making, and the lifesaving skillsets of Teton County Search & Rescue.

Produced by Backcountry Zero, Season 8 of The Fine Line is presented by Stio, with support from Roadhouse Brewing Co., Arc'teryx and KHOL.

Editing for The Fine Line is by Melinda Binks, with original artwork by Jen Reddy. The theme song is by Anne and Pete Sibley, with additional music produced by Ben Winship. Interview and storytelling by Matt Hansen.

Thank you so much for listening to The Fine Line. Find it today wherever you get your podcasts. And if you like what you hear, please leave us a review and share it with a friend.

Lost...and Found with Lifeseeker, a Heli Rescue Transmitter

This story is being republished from its original release date of May 27, 2020, with updated info and new photos.

Let’s say you are backpacking in the middle of the Gros Ventre Wilderness, or deep within a remote canyon in the Jed Smith. Somehow, you unfortunately break your leg. Without having cellular service and being very far from help, what do you do?

TCSAR volunteer Lexie Drechsel uses Lifeseeker during a training on May 24, 2022, to find a cellular device where no cellular service exists.

If you can, send someone for help and hunker down as best as possible. But even then, that leaves many questions about the outcome of your potential rescue: How long can you last due to exposure? What about weather, wildlife, and the seriousness of your injury? 

These situations, though rare, occur when someone becomes stranded, lost, or incapacitated in a wilderness environment, leading to extended rescues involving dozens if not hundreds of people searching for clues of your whereabouts.

But thanks to one of the more unique tools within the Teton County Search & Rescue toolkit, you might be found in a much quicker fashion. Known as Lifeseeker, this aircraft-mounted cellular transmitter enables a helicopter search team to locate you based on the pings in the cellular network—even when there is no cellular service. 

“Lifeseeker is another tool in toolbox and I think it’s amazing that TCSAR has access to this technology,” says TCSAR volunteer Lexie Drechsel, who joined the team in 2021. “I feel very fortunate to have been able to be part of multiple trainings this spring, running several iterations with Lifeseeker. In the case of a missing/injured party of unknown location, it’s a huge asset that we have multiple team members trained and prepared to operate the technology smoothly.”

When activated, Lifeseeker effectively acts as an airborne cellular transmitter, allowing a helicopter search team to pick up and locate specific numbers coming off your phone. When your phone is powered on and not in airplane mode, it constantly sends out a unique IMEI number (think of it as a digital fingerprint) to connect with the nearest cell tower. If the SAR team knows that IMEI number, they can hone in on its exact location as the number is transmitted through Lifeseeker. When Lifeseeker picks up on the IMEI, the location is displayed on a pair of iPads connected to a primary controller box. Both rescuer and pilot have iPads so they each both see the location of the device.

TCSAR pilot Steve Wilson hones in on a lost subject using Lifeseeker during a training on May 24, 2022.

In other words, when Lifeseeker passes overhead inside the TCSAR helicopter, it acts as a temporary service provider, connecting your phone to the team inside.

“Once we have a confirmed location, we can send a text message to that device, and, if able, someone can text back,” says TCSAR team member Eric Helgoth, a volunteer since 2004. “However, if we fly over looking for phone X, and phone Y sees they have a cell signal, phone Y can’t use that signal.” 

Nor does TCSAR have the ability (and, it should be noted, the desire) to block or interfere with anyone’s cellular service. Lifeseeker is simply a rescue aid. Designed by a Spanish firm, Centim, this is the first such device in use in the U.S. TCSAR obtained it through an anonymous donor.

“We’ve got a dozen different ways to find someone,” Helgoth says. “It’s just one more tool in our toolbox. It’s not going to work in every instance.”

Turn it up to 11. And if you’re lost, keep your phone charged up and on so Lifeseeker can find you.

For example, Lifeseeker won’t find you if your phone is turned off or in airplane mode. It is only able to receive and transmit phones that are actively seeking a cell tower. So it’s a good idea to bring a backup power source, and make your phone active if you know you’re being sought by Search & Rescue. Goal Zero makes some great power banks for rugged outdoor use, as does Outdoor Tech. 

TCSAR has a range of options to do helicopter searches depending on the rescue scenario. One is the RECCO SAR Helicopter Detector, a 174-pound drum that hangs 15 meters (about 49 feet) below the helicopter. Flying 300 feet above the ground at 60 mph, the detector scans 600 square feet every second. The team also has a heli avalanche beacon, which picks up signals from buried avalanche transceivers.

Another useful took from TCSAR is Backcountry SOS, a free app that allows a user to text an emergency directly to 911 in Teton County. The app is now available in 12 counties across the West, and has been used to save lives in Jackson Hole.