Papillon Grand Canyon Helicopters Opens New Opportunities For Embry-Riddle Helicopter Students

A new agreement signed by Papillon Grand Canyon Helicopters, Universal Helicopters, and the Prescott campus of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University will open summer internships for helicopter flight specialty students and potential future flight positions for graduates.

University President John P. Johnson announced the program Thursday. Known as a gateway program, the agreement provides for recruiting and interviewing of current qualified students by Papillon to fill paid ground crew positions during the busy summer months. Additionally, as part of the agreement, upon successful completion of all their helicopter ratings, students may qualify for consideration for a flight instructor position at Universal Helicopters, the exclusive provider of helicopter training for the Prescott campus helicopter degree program. As a flight instructor at Universal Helicopters, students work toward earning the required 1,000 flight hours needed to be considered for employment as a pilot by Papillon after graduation. Universal Helicopters has its Prescott operation at the Embry-Riddle flight line.

Dr. Frank Ayers, Executive Vice President and Chief Academic Officer for the Prescott campus, stated, “We are proud to join with Papillon and Universal to provide another opportunity for our students to gain experience that meets our high standards for safety and service.”

Papillon employs approximately 100 pilots per year between its two major bases of operation at the Grand Canyon and Boulder City, NV. to meet their demand for observation flights over the Grand Canyon airspace. It is currently one of two helicopter tour companies operating from the Grand Canyon airport. In addition, Papillon services contracts for the Department of Defense, Arizona Game and Fish Department, the Department of the Interior, the U.S. Forest Service and utility companies such as Unisource Energy. The company flies primarily Bell 206 Longrangers and American Eurocopter EC130s over the canyon.

The job of a ground crew worker is essential to the safety of passengers and smooth operation of the airline. Ground crews are responsible for boarding and unboarding passengers while the helicopter is idling. They must be able to communicate with people from all over the world using non-verbal communication and assist with manifesting for proper weight distribution. They also refuel and clean the aircraft.

“Papillon is excited to enter into this agreement with Embry-Riddle and Universal. We are each an organization that makes safety paramount in our operations and our mutual goal is to train and fly the best pilots in the business,” said John Becker, COO and Director of Operations for Papillon.

Becker commented that Papillon is also looking forward to signing a similar Gateway agreement between Embry-Riddle and its sister company, Grand Canyon Airlines, also with operations in the Grand Canyon airport and Boulder City, NV.

The program is expected to begin accepting applications for internships for summer 2011.

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