Claire Landon

Flight has always felt close to home for Claire Landon. Growing up with a pilot for a father, she developed an early affinity for taking to the skies and began her flight studies as a teen at Sisters High School. "It's a world I grew up in and loved, yet my love for it has increased even more since I've started flying," she shares.

Now earning her Associate of Applied Science-Professional Pilot Airplane in the Aviation program at COCC, Landon is planning to earn a bachelor's degree in aviation online and begin flying for commercial airlines. She hopes to eventually earn additional aviator ratings for helicopter, tailwheel and seaplane piloting.

Praised by her instructors as a student who routinely goes above and beyond what's required, and with a dedication to mentoring and assisting others, Landon has excelled in the Aviation program — where she's often one of the only female students in the classroom. Her enthusiasm for her studies and the program in general earned the dean's list student a place on the 2023 All-Oregon Academic Team.

"Attending COCC has allowed me to stay at home and work on my degree and ratings, which has been the biggest help financially," she says. "Through COCC, I have also had the opportunity to meet many new people and form wonderful connections."

Back on the ground, Landon typically finds herself hiking, reading, writing, making music and volunteering with her church's youth program.