"The education I received at Leading Edge and COCC prepared me in all aspects of flying, air traffic control environments, to rural off-airport operations in the Cascade Mountain range. Flying in the mountains of Oregon prepared me perfectly to be an air ambulance pilot and a bush pilot in Alaska." —Will Lawrence, Air Methods Corporation
Stories like this are why we do what we do.
#FlyLEFA #StudentSuccess #HelicopterPilot #AlumniSpotlight #AviationCareers #BendOregon
Ever wonder what a 12-hour EMS shift actually looks like?
Our latest blog takes you inside the day: preflight checks, crew briefings, scene calls, hospital transfers, and the skills that make great air medical pilots stand out. Plus, how training here in Bend builds the exact capabilities EMS operators look for.
If this career path is on your radar, give it a read. Link in bio! 🙌
#FlyLEFA #EMSPilot #HelicopterPilot #AirAmbulance #AviationCareers #FlightTraining #BendOregon
Meet the R44; the helicopter that bridges foundational training and advanced operations. 🚁
The Robinson R44 is a four-seat airframe with a two-bladed rotor system, hydraulic controls, and an aerodynamic fuselage built for stability and range. We use it for instrument, mountain, long line, and NVG training courses, the advanced work that prepares pilots for what comes after flight school!
#FlyLEFA #RobinsonR44 #HelicopterTraining #FlightSchool #PilotLife #HelicopterPilot #BendOregon
Here's a number worth paying attention to: @boeing projects 649,000 new commercial pilots will be needed worldwide over the next 20 years. 127,000 of those in North America alone!
The demand for trained, career-ready aviators keeps growing. If you've been thinking about a career in aviation, the timing speaks for itself.
#FlyLEFA #PilotShortage #AviationCareers #PilotLife #FlightTraining #HelicopterPilot
Wildfire season is coming, and helicopter pilots across the West are gearing up!
Aerial firefighting is one of the most demanding and impactful career paths in helicopter aviation, and LEFA graduates are already out there flying fire contracts, dropping water, supporting ground crews, and protecting communities.
The skills this work demands are woven into every phase of training here in Bend.
#FlyLEFA #AerialFirefighting #HelicopterPilot #WildfireSeason #AviationCareers #FlightTraining #BendOregon
Congratulations Josh on your recent CFI rating, and thank you for the awesome pictures from your training!🚁🎉🚁🎉
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#flyLEFA #flyCOCC #flybend #bendoregon #centraloregon #flighttraining #flightschool #flightinstructor #robinsonhelicopters #r22 #helicopters #pilotlicense
Yes! 🙌 Because LEFA is an FAA-approved Part 141 program, eligible veterans can use GI Bill benefits toward their helicopter or airplane training.
If you've served and you're considering a career in aviation, we're here to walk you through your options. Reach out through the link in bio to connect with our team.
#FlyLEFA #Veterans #GIBill #FlightTraining #HelicopterPilot #AviationCareers #BendOregon
The goal has always been to produce pilots who are ready for the job, not just the checkride.
Hearing that directly from a Senior Captain running oil and gas operations in Alaska tells us the standard is holding. Trevor Piersee of Hilcorp Energy shared his experience working with LEFA graduates who've progressed through their ranks, moving up from SIC to Captain positions in the Bell 212.
That kind of career trajectory starts with the habits and skills built during training. Swipe to read his full testimonial!
#FlyLEFA #AlumniSuccess #HelicopterPilot #OilAndGas #AlaskaAviation #AviationCareers #Bell212 #BendOregon
Flight training and a college degree...on the same timeline. ✔️
Through our partnership with @centraloregon_cc , students can earn an Associate of Applied Science in Aviation Science while completing their helicopter or airplane flight training. The program is eligible for federal financial aid and offers transfer pathways to Oregon Institute of Technology and Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.
It's a combination that sets graduates up for long-term career success in aviation. Learn more through the link in bio.
#FlyLEFA #AviationDegree #COCC #HelicopterTraining #FlightSchool #PilotLife #BendOregon
