Dave Odom didn’t say it aloud, but he certainly alluded to the helicopter pilot’s universal mantra: to fly is heaven ... to hover, divine.

“I’ve loved aviation since I was young, especially helicopters,” Odom told an appreciative group of 3rd Grade Tommie Barfield Elementary students after dropping in on the school’s baseball field in his Robinson R44 Raven 2 on Wednesday, Sept. 16.

Odom, owner of Island Hoppers Aerial Adventures, said like any other youngster, his fascination with aviation stemmed partly from sticking his arm out of the window of the family car and feeling the effects of wind resistance.

He then extrapolated that by explaining to the students the principles of lift, and how air pressure differences above and below aircraft wings (in the helicopter’s case, the rotor blades acting as an aerofoil) cause that lift.

“It’s science,” Odom said. “Some people find science boring, but when you apply it to something as magical as flight, it’s all about science,” he said.

Student Anthony Fee was suitably impressed, saying he might one day consider flying as a career.

“I liked looking at the controls the best,” he said.

In response to a question from teacher Tim Coyle, Odom said about 20 hours’ instruction is required to learn to control a helicopter, but mastering it can take hundreds of hours.

“But,” he said, “once you’ve got it, it’s easy to do it.”

Another youngster posed the question: “Why do you want to go so fast?” — to which Odom replied with a smile: “Because I’m a guy.”

Actually, he told the student, his business is about sightseeing, so speed is not an issue.

Odom said afterwards, however, that the $500,000 helicopter — the world’s best seller — is popular with ranchers, businessmen and doctors who indeed need to save time.

Organizing teacher Lisa Braren said the visit from Odom was part of the enrichment program falling under related arts at the school.

“It makes learning real ... it engages the students and makes lasting memories for them,” she said.

Odom said he enjoyed the enthusiasm of the young students.

“For a lot of kids, aviation means getting on a Delta flight,” he said. “But they were fresh, and asked questions.”

Odom provides an assortment of tours, details of which can be found at his ravenair.net Web site.

Naples Daily News
Naples Sun Times
The Banner

Collier Citizen
Vista Semanal
PrepZone

Coastalbeat
Set Anchor
SWFLMoms