Behind the Scenes with Troy Coburn: USA-Made Life-Saving Helicopter Safety Equipment
s the Director of Manufacturing and Production, Troy Coburn has been instrumental in designing and enhancing safety equipment for the ARS team for 13 years. Driven by a passion for addressing challenges in the helicopter industry, Troy chose this career path and joined the Oregon-based team, where 90% of our products are manufactured and distributed.
Troy oversees every stage of the process, from initial sketches to the final sales product, including sourcing supplies and testing prototypes.
"Our products are designed by users, rigorously tested, and used extensively in rescue training," he says. "This testing provides us with valuable feedback to refine our product designs, setting us apart from our competitors."
In 2024 alone, ARS produced and sold thousands of life-saving products worldwide. It takes up to several weeks to assemble our products due to a meticulous quality testing process that follows our certified ISO 9001-2015 Quality Management system. Testing methods involve in-house instruments that test materials or assemblies up to 18,000 lbs.
"I'm particularly proud of our latest innovation, The Pelican™ Rapid Extraction Device," shares Troy. "Designed for efficient and reliable open-water extractions, this product is already making a significant impact in the SAR community."
Troy's team constantly seeks ways to stay relevant and informed about industry trends and innovations by gathering customer feedback, monitoring social media, and collaborating with in-house specialists who work directly with global customers. The results of this dedication are evident.
"It's great to see our products used by military, police, utility, and rescue teams," Troy shares. "Our products have been featured in industry magazines, social media, calendars, and even the Discovery Channel."
Troy's personal favorite is the Human Anchor Plate (HAP) system, which solves human anchoring issues aboard helicopters while boasting a distinctive design that assembles flawlessly. We're grateful to have a dedicated leader like Troy heading our production team.
With their commitment to excellence and focus on customer needs, Troy and the ARS team will continue to lead the way in making the helicopter industry safer and more innovative.
