Peter McKernan Sr.

When retired Marine Corps jet pilot Peter McKernan purchased a helicopter to support his real estate business, little did he know that his investment would morph into something bigger. A request by ABC News (1956) to cover a flood and later, last minute request to support an episode of Hart to Hart (1979) inspired him to start a helicopter/aircraft chartering business, plus support of Hollywood productions. His company, Jetcopters, Inc. provided many aerial scenes and support for TV shows plus motion pictures like, Blue Thunder (1983), Airwolf (1984), Commando (1985), and many others. McKernan, his staff of full time and part time pilots, plus his son, Peter McKernan, Jr. all performed the stunt flying. Born in Brookhaven, New York, after Marine Corps retirement, Peter McKernan spent the rest of his life in California briefly flying for United Airlines, then subsequently running his real estate and aerial charter businesses.