Director of Flight School Operations
Helicopter Chief Instructor
Director of Training
Director of Student Progress
Helicopter Instructor
Helicopter Instructor
Helicopter Instructor
HELICOPTER INTRUCTOR
HELICOPTER INSTRUCTOR
HELICOPTER INSTRUCTOR
HELICOPTER INSTRUCTOR
HELICOPTER INSTRUCTOR
HELICOPTER INSTRUCTOR
Helicopter Instructor
Helicopter Instructor
Helicopter Instructor
Helicopter Instructor
Helicopter Instructor
Helicopter Instructor
Helicopter Instructor
Helicopter Instructor
Helicopter Instructor
Helicopter Instructor
Helicopter Instructor
Helicopter Instructor
Are you ready to fly? We select our helicopters for their safety, reliability, and flight learning progression. Modern and meticulously maintained, they’re ideal for beginners and career pilots alike.
The two-seat R22 helicopter is a proven workhorse that has delivered exceptional value in various applications for over thirty years. It’s the most popular airframe used in flight schools worldwide. The R22 is a piston-powered helicopter with a two-bladed rotor system and the latest Robinson technology. Operating cost plus maneuverability make this airframe our primary platform for Private, Commercial, and Flight Instructor training.
The four-seat Robinson R44 helicopters are high-performing, reliable, and easy to maintain. R44s have a two-bladed rotor system and the latest in Robinson technology, including streamlined instrument panels and bladder fuel tanks. Their aerodynamic fuselage optimizes airspeed and fuel economy, while hydraulic controls eliminate feedback forces and provide responsive handling. Because of its increased stability and range, we use the R44 for instrument, mountain, long line, and NVG training courses.
The Bell 206 series helicopter is a two-bladed, turbine-powered helicopter. They are flexible, all-purpose helicopters that comfortably seat 3-5 passengers. We use these aircraft for tours and our turbine transition, long line, and mountain courses.
Our Frasca simulator is standardized to match the instrument cockpits of our actual aircraft. Students expand on maneuver techniques and emergency procedures and learn to fly in adverse weather and visual conditions to any of the 100,000 airports. All in a controlled learning environment without the risk and stress of actual flight. Additionally, for the instrument rating, students can gain up to 40% of the instrument flight experience required for an FAA instrument rating at a fraction of the cost.
Helicopter Instructor
Though he now serves as our Chief Helicopter Instructor and the Director of Operations, Chris Jordan started his aviation career as a Leading Edge Flight Academy student. Chris started flying with LEFA back in 2006—when there was one helicopter, one instructor, and no more than five students. Following flight training, Chris spent 8 years in Alaska flying utility jobs and fire contracts, both with Leading Edge and for other companies.
Chris’s aviation journey brought him back to beautiful Bend, Oregon, where he’s continued to grow the flight school program by providing exceptional instruction to our students. When asked what advice he’d offer to an aspiring helicopter pilot, he responded that success requires perseverance, dedication, and never saying no to something that will further your career.
“If you make the decision to start flight training, stick with it. Dedication is number one.” — Chris
At Leading Edge Flight Academy, we’ve built our flight school experience on four core values: safety, service, expertise, and integrity. Learn more about what that means for students like you.
