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.
NTSB Prelim: Piper PA-23
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