Sierra helicopter program takes off in Atwater

Sierra Academy of Aeronautics flew several helicopters high over Castle Airport this week, with students from the flight school’s new helicopter training program at the controls.

The school’s first class of seven students recently completed the first of three training phases, according to Brian Johnson, Sierra’s vice president and chief flight instructor. He said the flight school launched its helicopter program to provide a “one-stop shop” for all aviation training.

“We wanted to provide a school that could give you anything you needed in the aviation industry,” Johnson said. “We took a small group of students in the beginning, but they actually wanted us to take more.”

Similar to the flight school’s airplane training programs, the students come from China and typically return home after getting their pilot’s certificate. The school anticipates enrolling a maximum of 25 students for the 10-month helicopter program, and potentially opening it up to locals who want to learn how to fly.

Johnson said the helicopter training program added 10 jobs to the Merced County area, most of them instructors and administrative staff. The school estimates hiring 15 more people as it expands its programs.

Officials at the Atwater-based school estimate the academy pumps about $1 million into the local economy a month, from its more than 200 students shopping in Atwater, purchasing fuel and maintenance provided by local vendors.

“The bigger our company gets, the more jobs we can create here in the Valley and put money into the economy,” Johnson said.

For 24-year-old Chewy Gen Li, attending Sierra Academy presented a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to come to the United States and learn how to fly a helicopter. His company in Beijing, King Wing, will hire him when he returns home.

“People here are very smart,” Gen Li said. “I’m learning about aerospace, engine procedures, traffic rules and communicating with the tower.”

The school plans to continue expanding its footprint at Castle Airport, with plans to sublease a passenger terminal for a private charter operation.

That program will take tourists directly to Las Vegas and offer private charter flights to businesspeople, farmers and others to fly to any major airport in the country.

This story was originally published November 17, 2014 at 6:38 PM with the headline "Sierra helicopter program takes off in Atwater."