Leading Edge Aviation, a Bend, Oregon-based helicopter flight school and provider of helicopter services and sales landed a Robinson R44 helicopter at Summit High School recently to support a real-world engineering lesson. Students from Matt Calanchini’s engineering class were able to observe the takeoff and landing, and spend the lesson period interviewing Leading Edge Aviation’s Chief Flight Instructor Jason Baller.
“We’re very pleased to have Leading Edge Aviation land a helicopter at the high school. Doing so not only was exciting for all of our students, but also gave them a chance to see how engineering lessons are applied in everyday life and to get a chance to check out a possible career choice. We are very appreciative of Leading Edge Aviation for doing this for us,” said Calanchini.
According to Travis Warthen, Leading Edge’s vice president, his company started doing these types of outreach programs at high schools and community colleges a couple of years ago to get young people excited about aviation and promote community relations.
“Leading Edge Aviation is a strong supporter of local schools, and has provided other unique flight operations as a community service, including flying aerial photography missions for schools, landing at the pre-game festivities with the homecoming court, tours of our maintenance facility for shop classes, and other services,” he said.
Leading Edge Aviation through its association with Central Oregon Community College offers students the unique opportunity to get a helicopter pilot certificate and an associate’s degree at the same time. For more information see the Web site.
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