Paul Carolan and Ryan Shrives pose for a photo with the student-built aircraft.--Submitted Photo
asmith@medicinehatnews.com
HALO air ambulance service Cpt. Ryan Shrives has received certification to fly a student-built Vans RV-12, Prairie Rose Public Schools board of trustees heard this week. The aircraft can be used to do aerial surveying in the event of a report that may not require people on the ground, such as finding and assessing a potential fire.
“The reason we have the specific partnership with the plane is because if the situation doesn’t require taking people out and being able to land and put them on the ground, the plane is a great asset from an aerial reconnaissance perspective,” said HALO CEO Paul Carolan. “It can stay up longer, is more affordable to fly and can cover greater distances.”
Three of the six HALO pilots are licensed for both fixed-wing and rotary aircraft, so getting them certified to fly the Dave Rozdeba South Alberta Flight Academy student-built plane is not expected to be difficult.
Enrolment for the division is up significantly, above even with projected increases. Currently, the division is up 3.85% from the previous year’s numbers, which is 2.94% off expected numbers as set in the spring.
The high enrolment is currently attributed not only to the academies, but to various programs happening throughout the division, says communications director Angela Baron.
“These aren’t even just academies. These are just champions in the school that have a passion for doing these, and some of these programs are starting to get attention for what they can offer to the students,” said Baron, adding that the new transportation model has allowed for youth in Medicine Hat to attend Prairie Rose schools out of town for their programming, which has contributed.
The Human Resources report highlighted that staffing numbers have remained consistent, though some teachers have been moved to meet increased student numbers in certain schools.
Two field trips have been approved in principle for spring 2026 that will both take place in Europe, with final approval dependent on the safety of international travel at the time of the trip. One of these trips will be for Eagle Butte High School students to Greece, with the other being for Foremost School students to Italy.
