Andre Connan stands in front of his KoolBreeze helicopter that he picks up clients in from all over the area.  

A fresh breeze feels even nicer when up in the air with Andre Connan, the owner and operator of KoolBreeze Helicopters, LLC. 

Connan, as a Certified 135 Air Carrier, said that he’s capable of picking up a passenger at point A and dropping them off at point B, all in the safety and comfort of the air conditioned cabin of his 2015 Robinson R-44 II, which he said has the latest avionics. 

Often taking off from Million Air KTLH in Tallahassee, Florida, Connan said that KoolBreeze Helicopters is “an owner operated tour operation.” He added that he often frequents Thomasville during his flights for refueling, as well as picking up clients for their flights. 

“I fly often for refuels there,and occasionally pick up clients to check out their plantations and weddings, you know, proposals, it’s a long list, “ he said. 

Currently stationed in Tallahassee, Connan said that he originally moved to the United States from France in the 1980s, where he originally began selling oil and gas equipment and services out of Houston, Texas before he was let go during “economic reorganization.”

“I moved to the United States about 1980,” he said. “My background originally was flying in Europe  a long time ago. So, you know how things can go, one door closes, another one opens.”

Connan said that with his background in flying, having gotten his license in France at 18, advertisement from a local helicopter school caught his eye. 

“A helicopter school in Houston came in and, you know, a lot of advertisement of we’ll take you from zero to flight instructor and then you’ll teach the next class and build your hours,” Connan said. “You move out into the world, as far as helicopter commercial.”

Dedicating himself to getting his hours, Connan said that he went back to flight school and began his education anew, eventually working as a private instructor for a time.

“I went full-time back to flight school, a year and a half to two years later I was flight instructor, he said. “I went the route of private instruction, meaning professionals would buy their own helicopter of this model and others and I would teach them in their helicopters full-time.”

Obtaining his helicopter ratings, including his CFI & CFII, in 2006, Connan said that he’s enjoyed every experience his profession had allowed him, but nothing came close to the flying itself. 

“Flying is just, you know, an amazing experience, amazing; I mean it’s, when you’re in the aircraft, well, when I am, I’m totally there,” he said. “I don’t think about anything else.”

After working for a number of companies in the Houston area and beyond, Connan said his wife wanted to return to Florida, which he had no issue with.

“Eight years ago we moved to Tallahassee because my wife wanted to return to Florida, and that sounded like a good deal,” he said. 

Although he has his own personally fashioned base and landing, he said that he saves all of his commercial and charter work for the local airports.

“Provided it’s safe and legal, I can do it,” Connan said. 

Interested clients can contact Andre Connan by calling (713) 545-3817 or sending an email to andre@koolbreezehelicopters.com.