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Leading Edge Flight Academy

Professional Helicopter Training in Bend, Oregon

Situated at 3,460 feet above sea level, our location offers ideal conditions for learning to fly a helicopter. Get firsthand experience with mountain operations and the challenges of navigating four weather seasons. With 300+ days of sunshine, we can fly seven days a week year-round and introduce our students to unique, real-world landing sites like pinnacles and ridgelines. And, thanks to our four season location, we can prepare our pilots for aircraft operations across various environmental conditions, from snow covered landing areas in the winter to high density altitudes in the summer. Very few schools have this level of diversity in conditions.

Helicopter Instructors and Fleet

Helicopter Instructors and Fleet

Helicopter Instructors and Fleet

Meet our expert helicopter instructors and get to know the ins and outs of our training fleet.

Meet our expert helicopter instructors and get to know the ins and outs of our training fleet.

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Aviation Degree Program

Aviation Degree Program

Aviation Degree Program

Earn your Aviation Science Degree while completing your helicopter flight training with Central Oregon Community College (COCC). 

Earn your Aviation Science Degree while completing your helicopter flight training with Central Oregon Community College (COCC). 

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Flight Program Financing

Flight Program Financing

Flight Program Financing

Discover financing options to help you pay for helicopter training at Leading Edge Flight Academy.

Discover financing options to help you pay for helicopter training at Leading Edge Flight Academy.

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Elevate Your Skills

Advanced Helicopter Courses

Already a helicopter pilot? Leading Edge Flight Academy also provides add-ons for all ratings, including recurrent instrument and proficiency training. Learn to safely navigate mountain flying operations, expand your skill sets with night vision goggle (NVG) training, or gain sought-after external load skills. Our advanced helicopter courses provide the additional training you need to elevate your skills and advance your aviation career.

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Chart Your Course

Your Helicopter Pilot Career

Helicopter Career ROI
HELICOPTER PROGRAM PRICING

Book a Discovery Flight

Ready to take the first step toward your dream of flying helicopters?

Confirm your passion for flying helicopters by taking a Discovery Flight with a Certified Flight Instructor. This exhilarating adventure provides a taste of the excitement that helicopter flying can bring and a glimpse of what our flight school has to offer.

Book a Discovery Flight

Your Helicopter Pilot Career

GET STARTED

  • To maximize knowledge, skill retention, and progression, students should plan to be available at least five days per week and complete at least three training events per week. 
  • Your instructor will give you subject areas to study on your own time, so you’re prepared for all flight, ground, and simulator training events. 
  • Time and costs vary depending on the individual, but a reasonable starting estimate is $100k. Visit our financing page to learn more about your financing options.
  • The helicopter training program includes Private, Instrument, Commercial, Certified Flight Instructor, and Certified Flight Instructor Instrument ratings/certificates.
  • Program completion takes between 12 and 18 months, depending on schedule availability and rate of training progression.

Flight career development opportunities

Flight Career Development Opportunities

Leading Edge Flight Academy graduates who become LEFA instructors are recognized industry-wide for their talent and skill. We’ll work with you and our industry partners to provide job placement opportunities matching your interests and abilities.

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Aviation Partners

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Helicopter Training Podcast Episode 1

Your complete guide to starting your journey as a helicopter pilot. Whether you’re just curious or ready to begin, we’ll walk you through:

  • The steps to earning your pilot certificates
  • How to choose the right flight school and helicopter airframe
  • Funding options, including VA benefits, scholarships, and loans
  • Free resources and tips to get started today
  • Recommended supplies and books to set you up for success

Listen to the Helicopter Training Podcast

LEVI ROGERS

COCC Leading Edge Helicopter Program Graduate

Levi Rogers chose the COCC and Leading Edge helicopter training program because of the variety of career options available to graduates. During his time at LEFA, Levi obtained his Private certificate, Instrument rating, and Commercial certificate. We went on to obtain his CFI/CFII, flying as an instructor and running Part 91 tours through the end of his training program. By the time he graduated, Levi was interested in using his 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. 

“This is an inclusive program, anybody could do it. It just depends on your work ethic… It takes hard work and you’ve gotta apply yourself.” — Levi

FEATURED STUDENT

JORDAN KUNHMUENCH

Fire & Short Haul Helicopter Pilot

Jordan works for JR Helicopters as an OAS-carded fire and short haul helicopter pilot flying AS-350b3 Astars. In that role, he fights fires and does search-and-rescue for Sequoia National Park in California. Over the winter months, he’s on-call for Part 135 commercial work. When asked about his experience at Leading Edge Flight Academy and COCC, he reports he couldn’t have asked for better training. According to Jordan, his time with LEFA prepared him to go above-and-beyond with both his flight training and knowledge-base for a career in aviation. 

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“Training at Leading Edge Flight Academy was key to preparing me for a successful career flying helicopters in Alaska’s oil and gas industry. The school’s location in Bend gave me the opportunity to learn how to handle the fast-changing weather conditions typical of Alaska, with a strong focus on quick decision-making and situational awareness. The chiefs are always approachable and have their office doors open, creating a supportive learning environment. The instructors’ vast experience, combined with the school’s strong network of alumni and industry connections, played a major role in helping me land my job. I’m incredibly grateful for the skills and opportunities that Leading Edge Flight Academy provided, which set me up for success in such a demanding and dynamic environment.”

Jackson Howery

Jackson Howery
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“Currently, I fly for Sanford Health in the EC145 (BK117C2) as a HEMS SPIFR pilot. We are a hospital-owned system with four identical helicopters serving the Upper Midwest. My base is in Bemidji, MN, and we primarily transport patients from small rural areas to larger hospitals, including Fargo, ND, and Minneapolis, MN. We transport all types of patients, from NICU newborns to the elderly, and my medical crew provides a high level of care while in flight. The helicopter is equipped with a 3-axis autopilot, making it extremely robust and stable, which makes flying IFR a breeze.”

Cole Schwerin

Cole Schwerin
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“Currently, I am a pilot with Air and Marine Operations as an Air Interdiction Agent with US Customs and Border protection. Leading Edge set the foundation for my career goals. The wealth of knowledge I learned while at LEFA is still with me till this day.”

Mario Armendariz

Mario Armendariz
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“I work for PJ Helicopters in Northern California and have been there for four years now! I started flying a Bell 407 for firefighting and have since transitioned into power line and wire work, along with Human External Cargo (HEC) operations. I enjoy the variety of work we do and hope to continue growing within the company.”

Sami Gotschall

Sami Gotschall
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“My stage check prepared me for the checkride because the ground was far more in depth. I found my weak points in my knowledge and was able to focus more on them before my checkride. The flight gave me a good example of what a checkride will feel like.”

Christopher Woerner

Christopher Woerner
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“Over the past few years I have had the opportunity to fly a variety of utility work to include Alaska Heli Ski and Power Line Construction. Attending Leading Edge Flight Academy built my foundation and provided me with tools that I use on a daily basis to fly safely in challenging environments.”

Tori Palmer

Tori Palmer
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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

Jordan Kunhmuench
“
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

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

Becca Voltin
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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

Nicole Wolf
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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

Will Lawrence