School Brings One Of Eight Glass-Cockpit Sikorsky 300 to EAA AirVenture 2015

By Grace Huseth

The University of North Dakota John D. Odegard School of Aerospace Sciences has on display one of the custom built glass cockpit Sikorsky 300 helicopter at the Helicopter Association International exhibit during the whole week of EAA AirVenture 2015.

As their first year in attendance with the helicopter, UND aims to raise awareness for their helicopter training program. The university has modified the Sikorsky 300 for more efficient and easier training purposes.

“The glass cockpit Sikorsky 300 can train students at half the price than training on the Bell 206 Jetranger,” said Max Kahlhamer, Supervisory Flight Instructor at UND.

The university’s helicopters worked with Mid-Continent Instruments during the trial phase of MD302 SAM and eventually became the first of any aircraft to fly with the newly approved SAM model, Kahlhamer said. The type of technology in these helicopters benefits about 45 helicopter students earning helicopter CFI per year.

Kahlhamer attended UND, earning a commercial fixed wing, his helicopter CFI in 2008, and becoming an instructor in 2010. He flies regularly in the glass cockpit Sikorsky 300 helicopters with students and continuing education. UND Helicopter students can earn your Private Pilot Rotorcraft, Commercial, Instrument, and Flight Instructor certificates.

The UND helicopter will make its next appearance at the Fargo AirSho July 25 and 26 directly after EAA AirVenture.

(Staff image: The author in the cockpit of a UND Sikorsky 300. Copilot Jayden Koerner, 5, of Milwaukee is attending EAA AirVenture for the first time with his father and grandfather)

FMI: http://heli.aero.und.edu/