Pilot Career Development

Exciting Career Paths Are Ready for Takeoff

Flight school is only the beginning of your aviation career journey. Our structured training gives you a competitive advantage when launching or advancing your pilot career.

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Pilot Career Development Opportunities

Whether you’re new to aviation or a well-established pilot, Leading Edge provides career development support and services to help you reach your aviation goals. After nearly 20 years of launching professional pilot careers, we have the experience, industry partnerships, and resources to help our flight school students land their dream jobs.

Airplane

If becoming an Airline Pilot is your ultimate goal, then Leading Edge has these relationships to help you along the journey.

Skywest Pathway Program; start your pilot career

Skywest Pathway Program

Leading Edge is proud to be a school partner for the Skywest Pathway Program. The Pilot Pathway Program allows students to remain on campus to complete their flight training until they meet SkyWest’s Airline Transport Pilot standards.

Upon entering the pathway program, you are given a Skywest seniority number, flown to their main base for a tour and background on company information, provided with a pilot mentor, and guaranteed an interview for a first officer position when you meet their minimum flight requirements. Skywest has pathways with Alaska Airlines, Southwest, United, Delta, and American. It is a tremendous regional to launch your pilot career!

Ravn Alaska

To support the long-term career success of professional pilots, Leading Edge Flight Academy (LEFA) in Bend, Oregon, and Ravn Alaska, based in Anchorage, together developed the Ravn Flow Program.

Through the partnership, LEFA pilots become eligible for Ravn’s Flow Program at the conclusion of their commercial flight training. Upon selection, candidates receive a Ravn Connect seniority number. After 6-18 months as a LEFA flight instructor, they are immediately qualified to begin flying for Ravn’s Part 135 operations, with guaranteed flow-through to Part 121 airlines. To further reduce the financial burden and ensure the success of candidates, Ravn agrees to assume monthly payments of any student debt accrued during flight training at LEFA for the entirety of their employment with the company.

Horizon Air Pilot Development Program; start you pilot career

Horizon Air Pilot Development Program

A unique program from Horizon Air, the Horizon Pilot Development Program, creates an industry opportunity for those who have completed private pilot training in the Central Oregon Community College (COCC) Aviation Degree Program. Those accepted into the program complete training and build experience as a COCC flight instructor, leading to a position as a first officer with Horizon Air. The program offers a two-year contract with Horizon and a $12,500 training stipend.

Alaska Seaplanes; start your pilot career

Alaska Seaplanes

Leading Edge students have a pilot pathway with Alaska Seaplanes, the premier commuter airline of Southeast Alaska, which operates from a hub in Juneau. After a vetting process during training, students are fast-tracked in their pilot career path, launching them towards an exciting opportunity with Alaska Seaplanes. Leading Edge Flight Academy’s highly regarded training curriculum and outstanding safety practices produce graduates with excellent reputations, known for their skills and integrity.

Helicopter

Leading Edge has long standing reputation for developing skilled helicopter pilots and well-rounded employees. Those who work hard to complete the program and dedicate themselves as quality instructors will receive our endorsement for their next job.

Papillon Grand Canyon Helicopters

Papillon Grand Canyon Helicopters is the world’s largest and most experienced Grand Canyon helicopter tours company. They’ve been flying guests on daily tours since 1965. With three exclusive landing sites on the canyon floor, their fleet of Papillon helicopters services immersive tour experiences from the Grand Canyon and Las Vegas.

Temsco Helicopters; start your pilot career

Temsco Helicopters Inc

TEMSCO Helicopters services tourism, hospital transport, firefighting, international, and other growing markets. TEMSCO pilots provide tours that feature spectacular views of Alaska from their bases in Juneau, Skagway, and Denali. Their award-winning glacier and dog sledding excursions and remote charter services create an exciting and rewarding career for helicopter pilots.

Pollux Aviation Alaska

Established in 1991, Pollux Aviation has been Alaska’s largest and longest running Robinson helicopter operator for over 24 years. Pollux is a 135/133 certified and OAS qualified helicopter company based in Wasilla, Alaska. They offer charter and marine services with a fleet of off-shore capable helicopters.

Columbia Helicopters

Columbia Helicopters are industry leading heavy-lift helicopter operators. Their team is adept in everything from logging and construction to disaster relief and defense, forestry to aerial firefighting. With its commitment to protecting the health and safety of its employees and contractors, Columbia Helicopters is proud to have some of the longest tenured employees in the business.

Pathfinder Aviation

Pathfinder Aviation is an industry leader in remote aviation operations and logistics, providing specialized solutions to unique challenges worldwide. Pathfinder delivers crews to remote locations and offers external load support for precision relocation of goods and supplies for the government and private sector. Their global experience includes Arctic, Pacific Ocean, Caribbean, and Alaska operations.

Ready to start your pilot career?

According to a Boeing Pilot Outlook published in October 2020, “Aspiring aviators who begin their training today will be well-positioned to take advantage of new job opportunities as the industry recovers.” It’s time to make the view from the pilot’s seat your new normal. Let the team at Leading Edge support your pilot career development, from your first flight to your next dream job.

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As a First Officer, I assist Captains in the operation of our CRJ fleet; we get to fly the 200, 700, and 900 variants to all parts of the country! As a Procedures Instructor, I teach new hires how to apply what they learn from Ground School to successfully accomplish a regular gate to gate flight. The foremost impact of my time at Leading Edge was getting to train and work alongside some of the sharpest and kindest individuals one could…I learned a staggering amount both personally and professionally. They are all inspiring and motivating to keep oneself improving and growing, which is arguably the most important habit any pilot can develop.

Steven Crowe

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Air Methods Corporation provides advanced air ambulance services as a flying ICU (Intensive Care Unit). The crew consists of one nurse, one paramedic, and the pilot. We respond at the request of EMS to rural scenes, and also transfer patients between hospitals. Our base in located in Osage Beach, Missouri. Air Methods has over 330 bases in 48 states. The education I received from Leading Edge and COCC prepared me in all aspects of flying, from air traffic-controlled 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 (now) and a bush pilot in Alaska (my previous 4 years experience).

Will Lawrence

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“I really enjoy the culture, professional atmosphere, and how welcoming and friendly everyone is from the top down. There is so much to learn, and I haven’t asked a question and gotten anything other than an answer or help finding one, and friendly chats and conversations are easy to come by.”

Nick Clements

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“Leading Edge prepared me for my career in many ways. The high standards of proficiency taught me persistence and instilled a sense of pride in giving 110 percent every day. The experience and backgrounds of each instructor and supervisor were invaluable in providing crucial insight and honesty I needed to choose the career path best for me outside of school. I felt at home at Leading Edge. There was always an open door, a listening ear, and at times a shoulder to cry on. I strongly urge that anyone interested in this program not only attend for its high standard of training but for its support and camaraderie.”

Sy Murdoch

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Starting flight training which was a completely new endeavor, in a completely new state can be quite the challenge. Leading Edge Flight Academy, however made that transition a breeze. At Leading Edge Flight Academy everyone is treated like family and they thoroughly ensure every student such as myself was prepared for our futures in Aviation, from every preflight to check ride, no matter where it took us. From being Deputy operating as a Sheriffs Department Tactical Flight Officer, to being dual qualified on the Beechcraft 99 and the 120 LEFA paved the way. As Jack would always say “Only you can decide your aviation future but we will ensure you get there.”

Katani Best, First Officer FreightRunners Express

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I started my aviation journey with Leading Edge. I received exceptional training that set me up for success as a 135 cargo pilot as well as the 121 flying I’m doing now. The best part of training and working at Leading Edge, was working alongside some of the most kind, knowledgable and skilled aviators in the industry. I was provided with not only the skills to succeed but a network of people who have moved into all facets of the industry. That in itself is invaluable.

Mitch Bumby

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Leading Edge was where I started my aviation career. They gave me to tools necessary to instruct, fly in rural Alaska, and finally become an Airline pilot. Training was always fun and exciting, but at the same time challenging. As a veteran, it is unbelievable that in two years, I got a degree as well as all my fixed wing ratings at no out-of-pocket expense. I always think to myself, “Why doesn’t everyone do this?

Clint Sheppard

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Becoming an airline pilot has always been my ultimate goal, and Leading Edge provided the best opportunity to build my flight experience up to the minimums required by the airlines. I grew up watching airplanes fly into the Bend airport, and flying over my hometown on a daily basis is one of the highlights of my career so far. As a SkyWest pilot, I now find myself flying into many of the same airports I first visited during my time at Leading Edge!

Garrett Ross

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COCC and Leading Edge helped get me to where I am today. The instructors, working with management, always wanted the best. It’s the group of people you work with that makes a company great, and at Leading Edge the camaraderie within the organization was awesome. That is what I saw as a student and an instructor. I really liked my time there and enjoyed the fact that everyone was tracking the same goal. I would recommend anyone to go fly there because there is a distinct difference in the knowledge and ambition coming out of this school that I haven’t seen from other pilots from different schools.

Andrew Camara

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This is one big happy family of mechanics, pilots, and instructors. I’m very excited to become a professional pilot at Leading Edge Aviation and to invest in the rest of my aviation career.

Katani Best

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I work for JR Helicopters as an OAS-carded fire and short haul helicopter pilot flying AS-350b3 Astars. I fight fires and do search-and-rescue for Sequoia National Park in California. In the winter months, I am on-call for Part 135 commercial work. I couldn’t have asked for better training than I received at Leading Edge Aviation and COCC. They prepared me above-and-beyond with both my flight training and knowledge-base for my career in aviation. On top of that, I got to do it all in amazing Central Oregon!

Jordan Kunhmuench

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It’s become part of who I am and I will never lose the desire and love I have for it.” Alice loves the freedom and adventure it brings! She wants to make flying into her career and inspire more women around the world! She highly encourages any women’s curiosity in aviation to give it a try! She says, “Being a female pilot is empowering and rewarding!

Alice Reed

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I’ve obtained my Private certificate, Instrument rating, and Commercial certificate. I went on to obtain my CFI/CFII, flying as an instructor and running Part 91 tours through the end of my training program. By the time I graduated, I was interested in using my experience to pursue a few different career paths. From Grand Canyon helicopter tours to working off-shore and gas or utility operations, the sky is truly the limit for COCC/LEFA graduates.

Levi Rogers

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That job really inspired me to pursue a career as a pilot. I started flight school at Leading Edge in 2016. I felt like I was getting a late start with my career and didn’t want to take on a lot of debt, so I worked my winters in Antarctica to save money and spent the summer finishing a rating. I’ve been so happy with my flight training at Leading Edge and all of the instructors who have helped me along the way.  

Becca Voltin

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After completing my flight training and instructing at LEA, I got the opportunity to fly tours in EC 130s and AS 350’s in the Grand Canyon. Those experiences prepared me for the 2020 fire season, where I am now fighting fire in Central Oregon.

Tori Palmer

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Leading Edge Flight Academy, in partnership with Central Oregon Community College, is very happy to announce the new Instrument Rating Scholarship. We are excited to be joining the list of Whirly Girl contributors and help advance women pilots in the industry. The recipient will receive the required training for a helicopter instrument rating, gaining the invaluable skills necessary to become a better, safer pilot. At Leading Edge, we instill our values of safety and professionalism with each student we graduate through a course; helping the aviation community grow, one success story at a time. Director of Flight School Operations

Nicole Wolf

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I wanted to do something that challenged myself. Do something interesting, something that would benefit me for the rest of my life.

Jackson Jukin

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While pursuing my Private Pilot Certificate, I tried out three different flight schools that either closed their doors for good or wasn’t the right fit. LEFA was one of the few schools that could honestly stand by their GI Bill program. Their instructors accelerated my training and helped me achieve CFII in 9 months. Finding a good flight school is hard! I’ve talked to so many students recently that have been failed by poorly operated schools that don’t hold up their promises. ???????? (Tori Palmer a former student/instructor is now a Contract Fire Pilot for Helicopter Express!)

Tori Palmer

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Leading Edge Flight Academy helped me get to where I am now in many ways! First while a student I worked Line Service and then in Dispatch where I learned aircraft scheduling, maintenance coordination and the importance of ground support. Then when hired as a flight instructor I had great mentors that all taught me the valuable information that I now use flying every day!

Mario Armendariz

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Leading Edge is known for its diversity and high standards. Not only did they give me the skill set needed to pursue my career, LEFA helped pave the path to my first turbine transition job – one of many steps needed to get me to where I am today.

Twila Contreras

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I can always depend on Leading Edge’s high standards to provide quality pilots that excel within Papillon.

Tyler Carver, Papillons Chief Pilot

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It was a really fun experience to be able to help ferry the MD500 across the country and fly through extensive airspace. It’s one of those things that, as an instructor, you always talk about and teach but not everyone has done it. I’m truly grateful to have had the opportunity. It’s definitely something I look forward to passing on to another person one day. It was nice to fly one of the coolest helicopters around too, so I can’t complain!

Cody Davis

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When I started flying, the college and the flight provider laid out a plan for me—where I was gonna start and where I wanted to end up… 3.5 years later, I’m going to the airlines, which is exactly where I wanted to be when I started.

Jake Edgerly

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Instructing at LEFA for 2.5 years not only got me the flight hours and experience necessary to make the next step in my career, but made the transition to flying bigger/faster aircraft easier. LEFA’s safety oriented, fast paced and professional program helped me sharpen valuable skills that have been necessary to meet the high safety and punctuality standards in the corporate pilot industry.

Cullen Foss

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Leading Edge provided me with the exceptional training that prepared me for an awesome career as a professional aviator. The kicker is that you get to train in the dynamic and gorgeous area that is central Oregon! I couldn’t be happier with my decision to fly at Leading Edge and choose aviation as my career!

Adam Mitchell

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After instructing I got the opportunity to work in Alaska, delivering parts and supplies to a remote gold mine. It helped pave the way to land my current job at a 135 operation. I fly C207s into the local villages delivering cargo and passengers in the Yukon Delta where driving is not always an option. It’s always good to maintain relationships in the aviation community because you never know who’s going to help you get to the next step in your career– or who you may help!

Dayne Schafer

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Leading Edge has been a great stepping stone for me to transition from military aviation into the commercial world. I did a lot of long IFR flights, in a large multi-engine aircraft, utilizing crew resource management and operating under military rules. Leading Edge allowed me to experience VFR flying out of a busy uncontrolled field, in a tiny/simple plane, utilize single pilot resource management, and get spooled up on the FARs as they apply to general/commercial aviation. Without the opportunity to experience this first hand as I did, and then pass that knowledge on to my students, I’d still be trying to wrap my head around the differences between military/commercial aviation.

Brad

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I moved to Bend, OR after I retired from the Navy to pursue my passion of becoming a professional pilot. Even though I was a relatively junior instructor with just a handful of CFI experience, I was hired by Leading Edge Flight Academy. Over the past two years I’ve had the opportunity to grow and hone my skills as a pilot and ultimately assume the title and responsibilities of Lead CFI and Check Instructor. Flying in Central Oregon presents unique challenges and opportunities for young students and their instructors. Pilots are presented with real-world flying scenarios that can teach them valuable lessons about flying safely while executing sound decision making skills. I had the pleasure of having Nick as one of my first students when I started teaching at Leading Edge. It has been very rewarding to see him (and others) earn their pilot wings and become instructors as well! As I move on to a career in the airlines I reflect on my time at Leading Edge and am thankful for the amazing people I have had the opportunity to work with.