The Bates Aviators are Bates College students and employees with a common interest in aviation. We invite anyone who has an interest in things moving through the air without ground contact - flight simulation enthusiasts, remote control hobbyists, aviation historians, hang gliders, sky divers, aspiring pilots, and accomplished fixed (airplane) or rotary (helicopter) wing pilots. Our purpose is to coordinate aviation - related activities, promote and support flight training, and increase aviation awareness.
We have, since the 1994 - 1995 academic year, supported active flight training, including coordination of ground school, flight school, and flight simulation. Bates pilots have flown photo shoots of the campus for various organizations and senior thesis students on research missions. We have visited the Portland Control Tower and are planning trips to Lake Aircraft Corporation (factory and assembly plant), and the Boston/Logan Control Tower. We also intend to host speakers from the Federal Aviation Administration on continuing issues of pilot safety and training. Additionally, we anticipate Bates Aviators to actively participate in Lewiston/Auburn's Civil Air Patrol unit in the near future. We will continue to maintain a permanent reserve section in Ladd Library of aviation training manuals, pilot resources, and pilot operating handbooks for various aircraft.