2021 Airport Business Top 40 Under 40: Scott Helms, General Manager, Leading Edge Jet Center
Scott Helms is the General Manager of Leading Edge Jet Center, located at Boeing Field – where Helms has worked on and off since 2005 for different FBOs around the airport. But Helms’ start in aviation began at much younger age, he recalls.
“I grew up about a half a mile from a crop duster strip. So I, as a young kid, 10-, 12-years-old, I would ride my bike to the crop duster strip after they woke me up 5:30 in the morning, all the radials from the Ag Cats and Thrushes, and then essentially bugged the crop duster enough until he gave me a job.” Helms said.
From there, Helms graduated, as he says, into the “big airport” – Grant County International Airport (KMWH)– working for several years at the Columbia Pacific Aviation FBO while also taking flight lessons at a local community college. Originally wanting to be an airline pilot, Helms eventually chose to double down on his work with FBOs and moved to Boeing Field.
“No two days are the same. The people are fantastic and the industry gets you – jet fuel gets in your DNA, if you will. I just enjoy every aspect of it from fueling airplanes to flying airplanes,” Helms said.
Helms has been the one that FBO owners have turned towards to lead their team through big transitions and growth. Over roughly six years he has worked through four different FBO ownership transitions while increasing responsibility in each instance.
Today Helms’ team is continuing to gain market share annually at the competitive Seattle airport that has three FBOs serving the GA and cargo community. He has established a welcome culture at his FBO that draws sought-after team members.
“Drawing market share at Boeing field is definitely a highlight in my recent career. Where I'm at right now, was my competition 10 years ago. It's kind of interesting how the pendulum has swung. From being the third on the field to soon becoming a market leader. We are currently involved in a facility redevelopment, tearing down our existing facility, which should happen in the first quarter of next year and developing approximately 50,000 square feet of hangar, as well as a brand new state of the art FBO,” Helms said.
In addition to his work at the FBO, Helms is a member of the Pacific Northwest Business Aviation Association (PNBAA). He was quick to offer his support in joining the Board of Directors in 2019, has led event committees and serves as its Treasurer. Helms has been the steady hand that has maintained PNBAA’s resilient financial position despite a pandemic that curtailed its primary funding sources of in-person events.
