Create a nested iteration that spans two table header rows. The idea is to have the upper row show the model aircraft, and then under that group show the school aircraft that are in that group.

create two table headers

<% @models.each_with_index do |m, index| %>
  <th class="center-text model_column_span" colspan="<%= current_school.helicopters.active.joins{ helimodel }.where{ helimodel.nickname.eq( m ) }.order("helimodels.nickname asc").length %>"><%= m %></th>
  <%= "(#{@models.length-1} - #{index}), " %>

  <% if @models.length-1 == index %>
    <%= "</tr> <tr>".html_safe %>
  <% end %>

  <th class="time">Time</th>

  <% @aircraft.where{ helimodel.nickname.eq(m) }.each_with_index do |aircraft, column_index| %>
    <th class="center-text" id="column_<%= column_index %>"><%= aircraft.name %></th>
  <% end %>
<% end %>

working

This works.  But, requires more code and only allows for styling the colspans in the top row...so, cant draw around both rows to section off the aircraft that go with the model.


	<thead>
		<tr>
			<th></th>
			<% @models.each do |m| %>
				<th class="center-text model_column_span" colspan="<%= current_school.helicopters.active.joins{ helimodel }.where{ helimodel.nickname.eq( m ) }.order("helimodels.nickname asc").length %>"><%= m %></th>
			<% end %>
		</tr>
		<tr>
				<th class="time">Time</th>
			<% @aircraft.each_with_index do |aircraft, column_index| %>
				<th class="center-text" id="column_<%= column_index %>"><%= aircraft.name %></th>
			<% end %>
		</tr>

	</thead>

I could just have two separate iterations over two separate tows. Which I already did...but, what Im after is the ability to style the blocks of aircraft and their associated aircraft model header.

Actually, I don't think is gonna do what I want...even if this worked