The old saying goes 'one man's trash is another man's treasure'.
For students at the Pittsburgh institute of aeronautics in Vienna, what Washington is phasing out - they're more than happy to take in.

"It's coming through government surplus, so this was an aircraft that was utilized through the military for a number of years," says campus director Joe Deramo.

This TH-57-C Sea Ranger Bell 206 has been allocated by the US General Services Administration.
It made its way to the PIA on Friday, and will help students master complex systems, troubleshoot and get hands on experience maintaining this type of aircraft.

The chopper is a key piece in making sure students stay ahead of the curve.

"It is the wave of the future," Deramo said. "As we see an increase in drone technology, and what we call VTAL, or what we call vertical takeoff and lift aircraft, for us and for our students, prepares them for jobs in the future."

Perhaps best of all - it's costing them a lot less than the typical $1 million price tag.

The Spring graduating class has already benefitted from this partnership, recently taking apart another ex-military helicopter.

"There was a team of about five of us accompanied by an instructor," explains student Collin Ardary. "To have this as a project, something I could do and work on before I leave, cause a lot of students don't get that opportunity, is really exciting."

Exciting and important, just like the work these students will be doing once they take off from PIA.