A New Flight School is Coming to MFR

Blue Raven Aviation is launching a new flight school at the Rogue Valley International-Medford Airport. If you have ever had a desire to become a pilot for the airlines, corporate or charter companies, or simply fly for your own pleasure, now’s your chance MFR has always had exceptional private flight instructors and flying clubs on the airfield, but soon students will have the opportunity to take their training to the next level and earn their Airline Transport Pilot Certificate.

In addition to walk-in students, Blue Raven Aviation will be working with high school students from two local charter schools starting this fall. Students at Crater Lake Academy and REACH Charter School, with the help of Southern Oregon Air Academy (SOAA), will have the opportunity to earn their private pilot license, instrument rating, and take their commercial license written exam by the time they graduate high school. This program is truly unique and helps to prepare students for a career in the aviation industry while attending high school.

Jim Eshleman, the owner of Blue Raven Aviation stated, “I’m really very excited, and honored for Blue Raven Aviation to be a part of this. We’re looking forward to getting engaged with these great students and providing them with the tremendous opportunity that SOAA, REACH Charter School, and Crater Lake Academy have worked so hard to set up.”

Providing high school students with real world experience and preparation for a career after high school is exactly what the charter school model is designed to do.

"Crater Lake Academy is excited to be working with SOAA to offer a flight program to the students of our region" stated CLA Executive Director Stephanie Pogue. She continued "Additionally, our region is very fortunate to have a partner like the Rogue Valley International-Medford Airport, without whose support this program may not have become a reality."

Cecile Enright, Founder and Executive Director of REACH Charter School commented, “We are excited to get started. This is going to be a great partnership.”

When asked about the program SOAA President Daniella Bivens stated, “We are excited to watch this come to fruition. Driven by direct industry feedback and student interest, SOAA established the high school flight instruction program as one of our cornerstone projects two years ago. We are now pleased to launch the first year of our flight instruction program for students in both Jackson and Josephine counties.”

The program is not only generating buzz around the airfield at MFR, but it is gaining attention from large national partners as well. Alaska/Horizon Airlines’ Pilot Development Team has reached out to program directors with interest in creating a partnership which may provide students tuition reimbursement as well as an interview with Alaska/Horizon upon achieving their Airline Transport Pilot Certificate.

The opening of this school, along with the commencement of this program, mark a new era at MFR. We are very eager to see what’s next.