Award For Transition Training Worth About $10,000

One very accomplished student enrolled in Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University’s Helicopter Specialty degree program will be even more prepared to enter the helicopter industry when they graduate. MD Helicopters generously donated an MD 500 Transition Scholarship to students from the Bachelor of Science Degree in Aeronautical Science Rotary-Wing program. The transition course takes five days and is valued at approximately $10,000.

The scholarship application criterion is limited to students holding a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher and a Helicopter Certified Flight Instructor rating by May 1st, 2013. The application also requires 2 letters of recommendation as well as an essay describing the importance of a Certified Flight Instructor and what aspect of the industry they saw themselves in the future.
 
According to MD Chief Pilot Jay Wigginton and MD Instructor/Production Pilot Rappoport, “Last year’s scholarship was our first experience with the difficulties in selecting a winner. We knew Embry Riddle would provide impressive applicants, but what we were not prepared for was the level of difficulty in picking the top candidate.” Rappoport indicated, “The students essays were particularly interesting and students with good writing skills clearly stood out in the selection process”. In fact, Lyn Burks, Editor in Chief for Rotorcraft Professional Magazine, selected two of last year’s essays for publication.

Assistant Professor Bryan Cox, who teaches the advanced helicopter courses at ERAU, facilitates the application process by collecting all of the packets and forwarding them to MD Helicopters. Cox stated, “As the facilitator for this particular scholarship, I do not write any letters of recommendations for the students but instead act as a champion to ensure all eligible students apply. My part is easy; it’s the folks at MD that have the difficult task of selecting the top candidate.” The winner will be announced in December.

FMI: www.mdhelicopters.com, www.erau.edu