NBAA Names Recipients of Hilsmann Memorial Scholarships

May 6, 2015
Heather Roushion has been awarded a Dassault Falcon Jet maintenance initial course to be conducted at CAE Simuflite. James Bailey has been awarded a similar course, to be conducted at FlightSafety International.

Washington, DC, May 6, 2015 – The Maintenance Committee of the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) announced the inaugural recipients of the Hank Hilsmann Memorial Scholarship at NBAA's Maintenance Management Conference (MMC2015) in Portland, OR.

The two recipients will be able to attend model-specific training courses to advance their careers as business aviation maintenance technicians.

  • Heather Roushion has been awarded a Dassault Falcon Jet maintenance initial course, to be conducted at CAE Simuflite in Morristown, NJ. Roushion demonstrates an exemplary dedication to aviation maintenance, a thirst for knowledge and strong motivation to earn her Inspection Authorization early in her career, the committee noted.
  • James Bailey has been awarded a Dassault Falcon Jet maintenance initial course, to be conducted at FlightSafety International in Teterboro, NJ or Little Rock, AR. Bailey is also highly motivated in the business aviation maintenance field, achieving a high grade-point-average, working with the Civil Air Patrol from a young age and attaining a private pilot certificate, according to the committee.

"There are some people out there with fire in their bellies, which is good to see for the industry," said John Loh, director, technical support with Dassault Falcon Jet Corp. and member of the scholarship selection committee. "While our industry may be facing a shortage of technicians in the coming years, reviewing these applications told me that we have some people coming up who are ready to meet the challenges that face us."

The NBAA Maintenance Committee and NBAA Charities, in coordination with Dassault Falcon Jet Corp. and Dassault’s authorized training providers CAE Simuflite and Flight Safety International, offer the Hank Hilsmann Memorial Scholarship to current and aspiring aviation maintenance technicians and military personnel transitioning to business aviation.

The scholarship was created to honor the memory of Hilsmann, whose strength of character inspired a high standard of caring in the business aviation community. In his most recent position as a field representative with Dassault Falcon Jet, as well as in his previous positions as an aviation mechanic and pilot, Hilsmann was known for his integrity and pride in his work.

Applications for the 2016 Hank Hilsmann Memorial Scholarship will be available in fall 2015. Learn more about the Hank Hilsmann Memorial Scholarship.

In addition to the Hank Hilsmann Memorial Scholarship, NBAA Charities offers a number of other scholarships and programs to promote professional development and business aviation careers. For more information, contact NBAA at (202) 783-9000 or visit www.nbaa.org/scholarships.