Alexandria, Va., Feb. 8, 2005 – HAI is pleased to announce the award recipients of the 2005 Bill Sanderson Aviation Maintenance Technician Scholarship. This program was established by the HAI Technical Committee to promote the choice of helicopter maintenance as a career. Over 35 applications were submitted and, after careful consideration, five deserving recipients were chosen.
The first place winner is Mr. Chester Peterson of Sacramento, California. Mr. Peterson is in his final semester at Sacramento City College, where he is in the 1900 hour, Part 147, A & P program. He has maintained a 4.0 grade point average and has been on the Dean's honor roll every semester. He is currently employed as head flight instructor/manager at Rancho Rotors Helicopter School in Rancho Marietta, California. He will attend the Bell Helicopter Textron training center in Forth Worth, Texas.
The second place winner is Mr. Chad Silliman of Land O' Lakes, Florida. Mr. Silliman is a 2005 graduate of Georgia Aviation & Technical College, where he maintained a 4.0 grade point average. Mr. Silliman will attend the Rolls-Royce training center in Indianapolis, Indiana.
The third place winner is Mr. Chad Kuenzinger of Pioneer, California. Mr. Kuenzinger was the 2005 valedictorian of San Joaquin Valley College, graduating with an A.S. degree. He is currently employed by Big Valley Aviation of Stockton, California, where he works on Bell, Eurocopter, and MD products. He will attend the MD Helicopters training course in Mesa, Arizona.
The fourth place winner is Mr. Jason Smith of Hillsgrove, Pennsylvania. Mr. Smith is a 2005 graduate of Pennsylvania College of Technology. While currently continuing his education, he is employed part-time by Sterling Helicopter of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He will attend the American Eurocopter training center in Grand Prairie, Texas.
The fifth place winner is Mr. Joshua Yancey of Clearwater, Florida. Mr. Yancey is a recent graduate of the National Aviation Academy in Clearwater, Florida. He will attend the Turbomeca training center in Grand Prairie, Texas.
The first place winner will receive up to $1,500 from HAI to assist with expenses. Those finishing in second, third, fourth, and fifth place will receive $1,000, $700, $600, and $500, respectively, for assistance with their expenses. In addition to their scholarships, each winner will receive a complimentary pass to HELI-EXPO 2006 in Dallas, Texas, February 26-28, as well as a complimentary one-year membership in HAI. The award recipients are also invited to attend the HAI Technical Committee meeting and the "Salute to Excellence" awards celebration at HELI-EXPO 2006.
HAI is the professional trade association for the civil helicopter industry. HAI's 1,350-plus-member organizations and 1,150 individual members, in more than 69 nations, safely operate more than 4,500 helicopters approximately 2.3 million hours each year. HAI is dedicated to the promotion of the helicopter as a safe, effective method of commerce and to the advancement of the civil helicopter industry.
