Small Business Q&A: Alpha Helicopter

Alpha Towing and Alpha Helicopter owner Mike Patellis learned to fly helicopters in Honolulu when he was fresh out of high school.

"There was a sign with an arrow, 'Learn to fly this way,' " Patellis said. That was the beginning of his relationship with flight.

The helicopter pilot moved to Cobb and started his own business, Alpha Towing.

One morning he answered a call to pick up a disabled automobile. The businessman whose car had broken down said to Patellis: "I'm going to miss my flight. If you had a helicopter, you could tow my car and then give me a lift to the airport."

A light went on for Patellis. He founded Alpha Helicopter.

Q. What's the best thing about your job?
A. As a helicopter pilot, I get to see a perspective that few others see. I get the whole picture.

Q. What is the best thing about Northeast Cobb?
A. Anything that you're looking for, entertainment-wise, is here. Churches, ball fields, recreation, restaurants. And it's a clean county; there's not a lot of trash on the ground.

Q. Why did you choose to open your business in Northeast Cobb?
A. Socioeconomic reasons. The type of people who fly in helicopters live here. They're established business owners, what I call "frequent fliers."

Q. Why did you pick this kind of business?
A. No one at the time was chartering helicopters in this area.

Q. What are some of the services you offer that people don't know about?
A. Sunset tours. They last about 45 minutes to an hour. And that the charters can be scheduled to land at a party for a pick up. You need about one-half of a football field of open space.

I also fly for area police departments. I am a certified police officer with Holly Springs. I can land anywhere.

We do a lot of church events. Mount Bethel, Johnson Ferry Baptist and Woodstock First Baptist are places I land at.

Q. How long have you been in business?
A. Alpha Towing and Alpha Helicopters both started in 1980.

Q. How did your business get started?
A. I was already a helicopter pilot, and I went to the bank and borrowed money to buy a helicopter. My business has grown on word-of-mouth promotion only. We give excellent service.

Q. Do you have advice for anyone who'd like to start a small business in this area?
A. Be honest. Be fair, not cheap. Charge what you're worth. Don't give away your services.

If you've got something of value, it's easier to up-sell it than discount it. If a consumer is looking for cheap, they're not interested in quality.

Q. Is there anything else you'd like our readers to know?
A. An Alpha Helicopter gift certificate is a great holiday gift. And it fits in a stocking.

Alpha Towing and Alpha Helicopter are at 4735 Canton Rd. For more information, call 404-680-9228, or visit www.AlphaHelicopter.com.