A Taos man is offering flying lessons to high school students as a way to combat a recent surge in teen suicides.

Michael McCann tried to "find a way to give back to his community" for four years, according to KRQE. He decided to address the suicide issue by sharing his love of flying.

"It was sort of born out of the ashes," McCann said. "There were probably three suicides in a row, one after the other; it was just awful. It just ripped our community apart."

McCann teaches high school students and recent graduates in Taos the basic skills needed to obtain their pilot license, KRQE reported.

"We can give them really tangible tools to just elevate them and just go see the world," he said.

In addition to earning their pilot license, some of the students find a unique job after completing the program – flying tourists over Taos and sharing views from above the area – according to KRQE.

"A lot of them can see Taos for what it is on the ground," McCann said. "But, when you take flight in the air, your concept of what Taos is just completely transforms."

Fly Taos Sky, McCann's school, has been in business for just over six months, KRQE reported.

McCann said he hopes the students who graduate can take over the Fly Taos Sky company and the money from the flights will fund the school.

"The plan is to use the scenic tours to actually be the primary support for the school," he said.