Bellingham's Command Aviation offers flight school

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Nov. 15--Each week The Bellingham Herald takes a closer look at a business. This week: Command Aviation

What it is: Command Aviation offers flight training services for students and pilots of all abilities. The company also provides a number of services for small plane owners, including maintenance and repairs, a pilot referral program, a 24-hour emergency service number, and a courtesy car for clients to use while their aircraft is being worked on.

Ownership: Craig Scamehorn, Scott Hume and Jeff Kvamme started Command Aviation in February 2009.

Employees: The company has seven employees, including three flight instructors.

A growing company: At the end of 2009, the owners of Command Aviation started a flight academy. The company offers helicopter training in Robinson R-22 and R-44 helicopters. It also offers airplane training in a Cessna 152, a Cessna 150 and a Bonanza H-35.

One of its newest flight instructors, April Erhardt, said Bellingham has needed a flight school for quite some time. Erhardt, who drove to Snohomish for her flight training, said people living in and around Bellingham have had to drive "serious distances" to attend flight schools.

"It's a niche market that's available, but nobody's been tapping into it," she said.

Erhardt said the flight academy is open to people of all ages, and flight instructors work around students' schedules, including evenings and weekends.

"It's all one-on-one, just you and an instructor," she said. "We cater to their abilities and progress."

For people who aren't sure if flight training is for them, Command Aviation offers introductory flying lessons. Erhardt said the introductory flights give potential students the opportunity to go up in the air and be at the controls; an experience that helps most people decide whether they love to fly.

"My roommate bought me a gift certificate to introductory flight, and the rest was history," she said. "I knew that I loved it."

What's next: Command Aviation will host an open house from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 4, with food, drinks and door prizes, including two introductory flight lessons and various gift baskets.

Command Aviation

2010 W. Bakerview Road

Bellingham, WA

360-733-3174

Commandaviation.net

Reach ISABELLE DILLS at isabelle.dills@bellinghamherald.com or call 715-2220.