Flight Technology

Oregon has more than Ducks and Beavers.  Oregon has some of the most scenic country in the world.  Oregon produces world-class wines and world-class pilots, and oh, yes - some world-class avionics systems are manufactured in Oregon.  No question about it, Oregon absolutely has to be the very best place in the world to train career pilots.  Oregonians have a reputation for independent thinking and innovation, and for that reason our graduates excel.  The Flight Technology Department at Lane Community College works jointly with universities, industry and education experts from NASA to develop and offer the very finest aviation education experience possible.

So back to the statement made earlier, "Oregon has to be the very best place in the world to train pilots." That is a bold statement - so lets back it up with facts, and there are many:

Ideal weather for professional pilot training!

So, lets start with a rather pointed question; which is your preference?  Would you prefer to fly with crews that were trained pretending to fly IFR with "plastic clouds," or with pilots who trained in the "real stuff?"  Western Oregon presents an environment that is ideally suited for training professional pilots.  Oregon is blessed with an abundance of what we call "safe IFR."  The western Oregon climate is largely influenced by the great Pacific Ocean.  Western Oregon enjoys temperate climate with mild temperatures and an abundance of stratus clouds - perfect for doing IFR training.  The reason we call it "safe IFR" is because it is.  We don't contend with severe weather - stuff like tornadoes, typhoons, severe convective activity and thunderstorms.  Eugene is located in a large valley that is only a few hundred feet above sea level and Eugene is only about forty miles in-land from the Pacific Coast.  Both of these factors contribute to mild temperatures and freezing levels high enough to minimize icing in the training environment.

No waiting for your turn!

Oregon has a comparatively small population and the airspace is wide open and virtually unrestricted.  Training, especially IFR training, in Oregon is a genuine delight as traffic delays are rare.  The ATC facilities are first rate and the FAA folks do a great job of providing top-notch service.  Because Oregon has such a varied geography, pilots can find just about any kind of approach that is desired; and the very nice part is pilots can expect to get their desired training experience when they want it and without those "buck-burning" and frustrating delays.

Oregon Diversity - from the beach to the mountains!

If you like variety, Eugene is a must for you: twenty minutes flying time to the beach or thirty minutes flying time to the high Cascade Mountains.  We can fix you up with experience flying from sea level airports to high density altitude airports - and you can do it all in the same flight lesson.  Oregon is not all trees and wilderness - be assured, our pilots gain valuable experience flying into high traffic density international airports.  Since the population areas are quite well defined, IFR pilots will operate from a very busy international airport and within twenty minutes they can be shooting an ILS to an airport with only remotely located Flight Service Station support.  Of course, all this variety means that Oregon is a year-round out-of-doors wonderland sure to suit almost everyone.

Why Train at Lane Community College?

Lane Community College is a first rate college with a first rate pilot training program.  It is worth mentioning that Lane's Flight Technology program is one of those "best kept secrets".  It is the "best bargain" in the business for people seeking to prepare for a career in aviation.

Serious students can earn their Associate of Applied Science degree in Aviation Technology, or they earn an associate degree with a university transfer option.   Lane has articulation agreements with a number of internationally recognized universities.

Dual enrollment options with the University of Oregon!

And - an opportunity new just this year is the exciting option of dual, or concurrent enrollment at the University of Oregon and Lane Community College.  This has to be a marriage made in aviation heaven as Lane has an excellent technical program in aviation, including professional pilot training and an aviation maintenance program and the University of Oregon is engaged in a joint research project with NASA in advanced pilot training techniques and pilot decision making. This represents a near ideal partnership, perfect for the individuals seeking a fulfilling career in the aviation industry.

Give us a call, or contact us on the web and we will be happy to send an information package to you.

Dr. Harvey

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