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'Copter rides sweep over Auraria
By Michael Godfrey
mgodfre3@mscd.edu

Photo by Christopher Wheeler • cwheele9@mscd.edu Cayce Batterson of Premier Helicopters rests between flights during Auraria’s World Friendship Festival, Wednesday, Sept. 13, in the soccer fields behind the Tivoli.

The sound of a helicopter filled the air around Metro’s World Friendship Festival on Sept. 13 and 14 as it gave scenic flights around downtown to Auraria students.

“It was the experience of a lifetime,” said Jeff Mudgett, a Metro student who took a ride in the chopper. “And the photos I got of downtown and the school were amazing.”

The helicopter, a Robinson R-44 Raven II, flew nearly nonstop all day Wednesday and Thursday, giving students five-minute flights for $30 a person over the Capitol and Coors Field before landing near the Tivoli.

“I’ve never been on a helicopter,” said Tim Baca, “but I saw it flying and decided I that I should try it.”

The R-44 was sponsored by Metro’s flight team to promote itself as well as raise money for its events and could be seen all day taking off from the soccer fields just outside the Tivoli.

“This is the first time we have been able to get a helicopter on campus,” said Ryan Holmes, a member of the flight team. “We tried to get a few airplanes onto the field as well, but we will have to save that for next semester.”

Yet some students were not as thrilled at the sight of the chopper, saying it was crazy to see a helicopter on campus.

Office employees from neighboring buildings also expressed concern that the chopper seemed a bit low.

“We had a few noise complaints from the neighbors, like the Pepsi Center,” said Cayce Batterson, a pilot of the R-44. “And we changed our route, not because of the noise, but it’s a little safer to go west instead of following Speer Boulevard.”

The FAA approved the flights, and Jeff Stamper of Student Auxiliary Services gave the school’s approval for the helicopter just a few days before the event.

“We had to make sure the field was clear, and the FAA said it was acceptable,” said Eric Peterson, captain of the flight team.

The helicopter also gave students the chance to learn about Metro’s aviation department, which is located in the Seventh Street Classroom.

“Not too many people realize that Metro even has an aviation department,” said Mike Kelly, the director of operations for Premier Helicopters, a flight school at Jeffco airport that owns the Robinson. “But this got their attention, and hopefully we’ll get some students interested in flying.”

Metro’s flight team is part of the National Intercollegiate Flying Association and competes regularly in precision flight competitions with other flight schools throughout the country.

The team also held raffles at the festival to raise money to take them to their next competition this October in Montana.