Leading Edge Aviation Partners With Central Oregon Community College

A Bend, Oregon based helicopter company is one of the first helicopter flight schools in the country to provide a college program for students utilizing the Post 9/11 GI Bill. Leading Edge Aviation (LEA)has partnered with Central Oregon Community College (COCC) for the past three years, offering degree programs with professional helicopter pilot training. LEA and COCC expanded their programs to the new GI Bill in September 2009 to provide fully paid helicopter flight training to veterans. Since then, Leading Edge Aviation has enrolled 37 students under the new GI Bill through COCC, along with 17 students enrolled in the non-VA aviation program through COCC. LEA also serves additional students who are not enrolled in the COCC program.

Brad Fraley, President of Leading Edge Aviation said “We are excited to be at the forefront of this opportunity for our veterans. Leading Edge Aviation and COCC have developed an excellent working relationship, and we’re looking forward to enrolling another 40-50 students in the program in the coming semester. It’s gratifying to be able to provide first class flight training to veterans and non-veterans alike and see such tremendous results.”

Leading Edge Aviation provides real-world mountain flight training in the nearby 10,000 foot Cascade Mountains. Additionally, LEA will offer Long Line, Turbine Transition and Night Vision Goggle (NVG) training programs starting this fall.

FMI: www.leadingedgeavn.com