Heaven's view: Pilot explores Latrobe landmarks from above

Two Tribune-Review journalists last month gained a bird’s-eye view of Latrobe, the Arnold Palmer Regional Airport and the Route 981 corridor stretching between them, thanks to clear skies and a helicopter piloted by Anthony Ferrante.

The trip over Latrobe and environs occured about 1,000 feet above ground level. According to Ferrante, that’s an actual elevation of about 2,000 feet.

Ferrante, 78, provided a view from high above of the newly improved airport runway, which has been widened from 100 feet to 150 feet, making it easier for pilots to land during inclement weather.

Also spotted were nearby landmarks such as Saint Vincent College, Excela Latrobe Hospital and Latrobe’s Memorial Stadium.

Ferrante flew an R44 Raven II four-seat light helicopter produced by Robinson Helicopter Company, based in Torrance, Calif. It took a day and a half for him to fly the craft from California to Westmoreland County when he bought it, he said.

According to Ferrante, the helicopter burns about 20 gallons of fuel per hour — a small fraction of the fuel required to power a Westwind nine-passenger jet he also owns.

Ferrante is a former member of the Westmoreland County Airport Authority, which operates the Arnold Palmer airport in Unity. He noted the trip from his Vandergrift home to the airport takes 55 minutes by car, but just 14 by helicopter.

Ferrante has been flying since the 1970s, after being introduced to aviation at the Leechburg Airport. He has hangars at Arnold Palmer and volunteers to assist with the annual airshow there.

This year’s show was canceled — before the pandemic — when organizers were unable to book a major aerial act.

Plans are underway for the 2021 show, to be held Memorial Day weekend, and headlined by the Blue Angels Navy jet team.