Privacy Policy

Effective Date: May 22, 2026 Last Updated: May 22, 2026

This Privacy Policy describes how Specialized Helicopters, Inc. (dba Specialized Aviation and dba San Francisco Helicopters) ("we," "us," or "our") collects, uses, shares, and protects information about you when you visit www.specializedheli.com, book a flight, enroll in training, request maintenance or avionics services, purchase or sell an aircraft through us, or otherwise interact with our business.

This policy applies to information collected through this website and through related business communications, including SMS text messages.

1. Information We Collect

We only collect information you voluntarily provide and information automatically generated by your interaction with our website and services.

Information you provide directly:

  • Name, address, email, phone number

  • Government-issued photo identification (required by FAA for all passengers)

  • Date of birth (required for student pilots, foreign students, and certain bookings)

  • Payment card information (processed through PCI-compliant third-party processors; we do not store full card numbers)

  • Passenger weight (required by FAA weight-and-balance regulations)

  • Emergency contact information

  • For flight students: medical certificate status, TSA AFSP enrollment data (foreign students), pilot certificates and logbook information

  • Flight preferences, dietary needs, special requests

  • Any other information you submit through forms, email, phone, or in person

Information collected automatically:

  • IP address, browser type, device identifiers

  • Pages visited, time on site, referring URL

  • Cookies and similar tracking technologies (see Cookies section below)

2. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect to:

  • Confirm and manage reservations, training enrollments, charter flights, maintenance services, and aircraft sales transactions

  • Send transactional communications including booking confirmations, payment receipts, flight status and weather updates, arrival reminders, and operational notifications

  • Comply with FAA, TSA, and federal recordkeeping requirements

  • Process payments

  • Respond to inquiries and provide customer service

  • Improve our website, services, and customer experience

  • Send marketing communications about specials, new services, or company news — only when you have opted in, and only by the channels you have authorized

3. SMS / Text Messaging Program

By providing your mobile number and opting in, you consent to receive SMS text messages from Specialized Aviation related to your reservation, training, or business relationship with us.

Message types you may receive (transactional only):

  • Booking and reservation confirmations

  • Payment receipts and billing notifications

  • Flight status updates and weather Go/No-Go notifications

  • Arrival reminders and pre-flight instructions

  • Operational notifications related to your scheduled service

Message frequency: Varies based on your bookings and account activity. We do not send recurring marketing or promotional messages from our transactional number.

Carrier and rate charges: Message and data rates may apply based on your mobile carrier plan. Specialized Aviation is not responsible for carrier delays or undelivered messages.

Opt-out: You may opt out at any time by replying STOP to any text message. You will receive a one-time confirmation that you have been unsubscribed. After opting out, you will no longer receive SMS messages from us.

Help: Reply HELP to any text message or contact us at 831-763-2244 or main@specializedheli.com.

Mobile information sharing: No mobile information will be shared with third parties or affiliates for marketing or promotional purposes. Information sharing is limited to subcontracted service providers (such as our SMS platform) that support the operation of our messaging program. These providers are contractually prohibited from using your information for any other purpose.

Consent is not a condition of purchase. You are not required to opt in to SMS messaging to book a flight, enroll in training, or use any of our services.

4. How We Share Your Information

We do not sell or rent your personal information. We share information only as needed to operate our business and as required by law:

  • Service providers who support our operations (payment processors, SMS platform, booking software, email service, website host)

  • Government agencies and regulators when required by law, including FAA, TSA, DOT, IRS, and law enforcement with proper authority

  • Insurance carriers when claims or coverage verification require it

  • Aircraft sales counterparties, escrow, and title companies for transactions you initiate

  • Successor entities in the event of merger, acquisition, or sale of business assets

5. Data Retention

We retain your information for as long as needed to provide services, comply with FAA and other legal recordkeeping requirements, resolve disputes, and enforce agreements. Pilot training records and Part 135 operational records are retained per federal regulation. Other records are retained as long as reasonably necessary for legitimate business purposes.

6. Your Rights and Choices

You may at any time:

  • Request access to the information we have about you

  • Request correction of inaccurate information

  • Request deletion of your information (subject to FAA and tax recordkeeping requirements that may legally require us to retain certain records)

  • Opt out of marketing emails by clicking "unsubscribe" in any marketing message

  • Opt out of SMS messages by replying STOP

  • Withdraw consent at any time where consent is the basis for processing

To exercise any of these rights, contact us at main@specializedheli.com or 831-763-2244.

California Residents (CCPA / CPRA)

If you are a California resident, you have additional rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act and California Privacy Rights Act, including:

  • The right to know what personal information we collect, use, disclose, and sell or share

  • The right to delete personal information (subject to legal exceptions)

  • The right to correct inaccurate personal information

  • The right to opt out of the sale or sharing of personal information (we do not sell personal information)

  • The right to limit the use of sensitive personal information

  • The right to non-discrimination for exercising these rights

To make a request, contact us at main@specializedheli.com or 831-763-2244.

7. Security

We use reasonable administrative, technical, and physical safeguards to protect your information. Sensitive information transmitted through this website (such as payment card data) is encrypted in transit using TLS. Only employees with a legitimate business need have access to personal information. Computers and servers storing personal information are maintained in a secured environment.

No method of transmission or storage is 100% secure. We cannot guarantee absolute security, but we work to maintain industry-standard protection.

8. Cookies and Analytics

We use cookies and similar technologies to operate the website, remember your preferences, and analyze how visitors use the site. You can disable cookies through your browser settings; some features of the site may not work properly without them.

We may use analytics tools (including Google Analytics) to understand site usage. These tools may set their own cookies governed by their own privacy policies.

9. Surveys, Contests, and Marketing Emails

From time to time we may run surveys or contests. Participation is voluntary. We use contact information collected to administer the survey or contest and may use aggregated survey information to improve our services.

If you have opted in, we may email you about specials, new services, or company news. You can unsubscribe at any time using the link in any marketing email.

10. Children's Privacy

This website is not directed to children under 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13 without parental consent. Minors who fly with us require parent or guardian authorization in accordance with our published policies.

11. Third-Party Links

Our website may link to third-party sites. We are not responsible for the privacy practices or content of those sites. We encourage you to review the privacy policy of any site you visit.

12. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. The "Last Updated" date at the top reflects the most recent revision. Material changes will be posted on this page. Continued use of our website or services after a change indicates acceptance.

13. Contact Us

If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or wish to exercise any of your rights:

Specialized Helicopters, Inc. dba Specialized Aviation 150 Aviation Way Watsonville, CA 95076 Phone: 831-763-2244 Email: main@specializedheli.com Website: www.specializedheli.com