Leading Edge Aviation (LEA), 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. 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 is unique among VA flight providers in that the flight school 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, making it the flight school of choice for future professional pilots. By attending Leading Edge Aviation in Bend, Oregon, students receive private through ATP ratings while honing their skills in a real world environment that gives them a distinct advantage in the job market.

About Leading Edge Aviation
Leading Edge Aviation (LEA) has been a part of the Bend community since 1989 and has 5 major business segments including helicopter charter, flight training, avionics, maintenance, and Robinson Helicopter overhaul. LEA is a FAA Part 135 Air Carrier operating Robinson R22, R44, and Bell 206 helicopters. LEA is a certified Robinson Helicopter sales, service, maintenance and overhaul facility and authorized distributors for most major avionics manufacturers.