PAUA Seeking Fresh Faces: Prescott Airport Users Association Elections

http://www.legend-aviation.com/

The PAUA is looking for some fresh faces in the next election!  Here's a message from PAUA's Oce Dotson:

November is election time for ALL the P.A.U.A. officers and board of directors. As the chairman of the election committee I am asking for volunteers to run for an office. The Offices are as follows:


President
Vice President
Secretary

http://www.northaire.com/

Treasurer
Director, Program Chairman
Director, Web Site Chairman
Director, Membership Chairman
Director at Large (2)

Anyone wishing to be placed on the nominating list for any of these positions please contact me, Oce Dotson 928-778-5841 or on my e-mail ociedot@cableone.net  or Jerry Lawyer 928-443-9333 or jjlawyer@gmail.com .



http://www.guidance.aero/

Anyone wishing to be included must let us know prior to our October 18th Meeting. We will also accept nominations from the floor at the October meeting

The election will be held at our November meeting. Please plan on attending.

Thank you,

Oce Dotson


http://www.visit-prescott.com/




http://www.flyaas.com/



Need help promoting your aviation business or airport user group?

Ever wonder how to more effectively support and promote your aviation business, airport user group, or aviation event?  Well, here are the first few tips showcased by AOPA Pilot Magazine, May, 2011, highlighting the efforts of FlyPrescott.  Need more help? Contact flyprescott@yahoo.com .

TO VIEW ARTICLE, USE SCROLL BARS ON BOTTOM AND RIGHT SIDE OF ARTICLE:
PROBLEMS VIEWING THIS ARTICLE? CLICK HERE

Informative links:
AOPA Magazine, Digital editions: http://www.aopa.org/digitaleditions/
*If you haven't check this out, do it. Dynamic pages, great content.

ERAU's Biz Club Prevails at AZ State Leadership Conference, FAASTeam Seminar at PRC

The Phi Beta Lambda (PBL) Business Club Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University took state championship honors by taking home the most awards at the 2011 PBL State Leadership Conference at Arizona State University, in Tempe, Arizona on April 15 and 16, 2011.

ERAU Prescott's Phi Beta Lambda
business club

Our students performed exceptionally well against formidable competitors from well-established programs representing multiple colleges and universities across Arizona. ERAU PBL members received total of 42 awards, the largest number of awards in this competition, of which 21 were first places finishes (which was the largest number of first-place finishes in this competition). ASU PBL members finished second with a total of 31 awards, of which 17 were 1st place awards . This is the fifth consecutive year that ERAU PBL members have received the largest number of awards since the resurrection of ERAU PBL business club in 2004. The winners of the state competition are eligible to compete in the 2011 PBL National Leadership Conference in Orlando, Florida, on June 23-26, 2011.

I am so very proud of the tremendous efforts of the ERAU PBL members in achieving these awards. The phenomenal performance of our students at the 2011 PBL State Leadership Conference speaks volumes as to our impressive student quality at ERAU-Prescott, as well as the tremendous capabilities of the Business faculty on this campus.

The state competition is sponsored annually by the Future Business Leaders of America - Phi Beta Lambda (FBLA-PBL). FBLA-PBL is the largest student business organization in the world. The organization’s focus is development of business and leadership skills. It aims to equip students with skills that will set them apart from the average business graduate.

Respectfully submitted,
Javad Gorjidooz, Ph.D., MBA
PBL Adviser
Faculty delegate to the Board of Trustees
Professor of Finance
Department of Aviation Business Administration
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
3700 Willow Creek Road
Prescott, AZ 86301-3720
Phone: 928-777-6942
Fax : 928-777-3827

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FAASTeam Safety Seminar
Fly-in Event, Prescott Airport, April 23 at hangar next to Guidance Helicopters.  BBQ hosted by Guidance Helicopters after seminar.  See FAASTeam seminar info below:

Golf for Wounded Warriors, Win a Cirrus Aircraft and Start Your Pilot Training - It's All Good!

More reasons why Prescott's a leader in aviation...there's lots going on here and in the region!  Golf for Wounded Warriors, Play in a hole in one contest to win a Cirrus and start your ground school training for your pilot certificate!

April 23, 2011: "Heroes Open" at the Antelope Hills Golf Course, Prescott, AZ., benefitting the Wounded Warriors Project and sponsored by the Student Veterans Organization of Embry-Riddle of Prescott, AZ.
See website at: http://www.svoerau.org/golf/heroesopen

April 28 - 30, 2011: "Win A Cirrus Hole In One Contest" at Talking Stick Resort of Scottsdale, AZ.  Winner will also receive 40 hours of dual flight instruction, free, from Guidance Aviation of Prescott, Arizona.

May 17, 2011:  Ground School starts at Guidance Aviation of Prescott, Arizona.

Scroll down to view all three event flyers. Click on image for larger viewing:

FAASTeam event: "Surface Nav for Aviation Pros"

To All pilots and airport community members,

The FAA Runway Safety Action Team and FAASTeam will be conducting a training presentation titled "Surface Navigation for Aviation Professionals" on Thursday April 14, 2011 at 1830 in the Davis Learning Center Auditorium at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. Everyone is highly encouraged to attend this free event. Attendance to the event can be used for WINGS credit. For more details regarding the event and WINGS credit, visit www.faasafety.gov and see the attached flyer. Leaders of businesses and associations, please distribute this information among your customers and colleagues.

Brian J. Roggow
Interim Director of Aviation Safety & Security
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University - Prescott, AZ
Office: 928-777-4306

Davis Learning Center:


View Larger Map

"Heroes Open" Golf Tournament benefitting Wounded Warriors April 23rd

The Heroes Open is a charity golf tournament presented by the Student Veterans Organization of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Prescott, benefiting the Wounded Warriors Project as well as the SVO scholarship fund.


Hosted by Antelope Hills Golf Course, Prescott, Arizona.
23 April, 2011 Tee time is 1000

Event Website: http://www.svoerau.org/golf/heroesopen

Prescott Airport Runway Closures: April 6 - 8

Next week the Airport is expecting to begin soil sampling for the upcoming Runway Project. To accomplish this, there will be a drill rig on the airport at various locations.

Drilling is anticipated to start Monday morning and occur daily through Friday morning.

There will be various runway and taxiway closures affecting various parts of the airport. It is anticipated that the following runway closures will be in place:

Starting 2200 on April 6th until 0600 April 7th = Runway 21L-3R closed
Starting 2200 on April 7th until 2359 April 7th = Runway 21L-3R closed
Starting 0000 on April 8th until 0600 April 8th = Prescott Airport Closed (All runways)

Please be sure to check the current NOTAMs for the latest information.

If you should have any questions, please feel free to contact me.

Sincerely,
Benjamin Vardiman, ACE
Airport Manager
Prescott Municipal Airport
Ernest A. Love Field
6546 Crystal Lane
Prescott, AZ 86301
Office: (928)-777-1114
Fax: (928)-771-5861
Email: ben.vardiman@prescott-az.gov

Informative links:Visit Prescott, AZ.:  http://www.visit-prescott.com/
Comprehensive PRC info: http://www.flyprescott.com/
City of Prescott, AZ.: http://www.prescott-az.gov/

ERAU: Champs Aloft & "All American" Champs on the Ground

Embry-Riddle’ Aeronautical University’s champion wrestler Tyler Chang finished an outstanding senior year with an impressive 41 wins and 1 loss this past weekend. Chang, who hails from Cottonwood, Ariz. and attended Mingus Union High School, is Embry-Riddle’s first four-time All-American. Chang ended his senior year campaign with a third place finish at the 2011 NAIA National Wrestling Championships.

“We are proud of our entire wrestling team and especially proud of our Academic All-American and many time athletic All-American, Tyler Chang. He and his teammates represent the best that Embry-Riddle has to offer,” said Dr. Frank Ayers, Executive Vice President and Chief Academic Officer for the Prescott campus.

Chang’s lone loss on the year came in the National Semifinal’s by a 3-2 heartbreak loss to Thomas Straughn of Notre Dame College. Some highlights for the year included impressive wins over Bubba Jenkins of Arizona State University and California Polytechnic’s Barrett Abel. At the time of the victories, Jenkins was the second rated NCAA Division I wrestler and Abel was slotted 15th. Jenkins still holds the fourth ranking as of March 7.

“Tyler is an outstanding example of someone who fights for the team,” said Coach Ken Ramsey. “He has set a precedent for our wrestlers and I am forever grateful for the example he has set for our future student-athletes.”

During Chang’s 42 matches, 35 of the bouts ended in some sort of bonus points for the team including 19 Falls, 5 Technical Falls and 11 Major Decision wins. Chang’s outstanding career includes a fifth place finish as a freshman at 141 lbs. in 2008, eighth place finish in 2009 at 149 lbs. as a sophomore and third as a junior at 157 lbs. in 2010. Chang ends his college wrestling career with an outstanding 142-28 record. Chang was also selected as a 2010 Daktronics-NAIA Academic All-American and a NWCA Academic All-American.

Teammate AJ Valles capped off his freshman year with a 5th place finish. At 133 lbs., Valles tallied a 5-2 record at Nationals to earn his first All-American honor. The Embry-Riddle freshman tallied 33 wins and 15 losses on the year. During his impressive first season at ERAU, Valles racked up four Tournament Championships including the 2011 Western NAIA Regional Championship at 133 lbs. in February.

Embry-Riddle qualified seven student-athletes to this year’s National Tournament. Senior Jeremy Mazon (133 lbs.) went 2-2 at the National Tournament and was selected as a Daktronics-NAIA Academic All-American for the second year in a row. Mazon, a two-time National Qualifier, is from Prescott and attended Prescott High School where he was a two-time Arizona State High School Finalist and a four-time Arizona State Place Winner for the Badgers.

Sean Silva, Barstow, Calif., went 1-2 at 125 lbs. Silva was a two-time California High School State Place Winner for Barstow High School. Josh Chang, Tyler’s younger brother, went 3-2 at 149 lbs. Josh, who is currently a sophomore, was 37-20 on the year. The younger Chang was a three-time Arizona State High School Champion and four-time Finalist for Mingus. Also competing at 149 lbs. was Matt Hamilton who went 1-2 at Nationals. Hamilton was also selected as a Daktronics-NAIA Academic All-American for 2011. In High School, Matt was Teammates to both Tyler and Josh Chang at Mingus Union High School where he won an Arizona State High School Championship in 2008. Rounding out ERAU’s National qualifiers is Junior Shawn Michalek, Shawn went 3-2 at 197 lbs. during his first trip to Nationals. The Folsom, California native was 3rd in the 2009 California Community College State Championships.

A combined effort from all of these wrestlers helped Prescott’s Embry-Riddle Wrestling Team to a 12th place finish in the 2011 National Tournament, up one mark from 2010 (13th). For complete results and match by match statistics click the following link: http://prescott.embryriddlesports.com/news/2011/3/5/WREST_0305114633.aspx

###

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, the world's largest, fully accredited university specializing in aviation and aerospace, offers more than 30 undergraduate and graduate degree programs in its colleges of Arts and Sciences, Aviation, Business, and Engineering. Embry-Riddle educates students at residential campuses in Daytona Beach, Fla., and Prescott, Ariz., through the Worldwide Campus at more than 150 locations in the United States, Europe, Asia, Canada, and the Middle East, and through online learning. For more information, visit http://www.embryriddle.edu/.

Media Contact:
Susan Larsen
Director of Marketing and Public Relations
3700 Willow Creek Road
Prescott, AZ 86310
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
(928) 777-6731
susan.larsen@erau.edu

Airbus A320 Cockpit Video

Fastforward to 2:30 for takeoff......

Why Prescott is the place to become a pilot: Student life, ERAU

Day in the life of a
student pilot,
aeronautical engineer at ERAU:
http://www.flyprescott.com
Click link to see video!

PRC Airport Users Assoc. Meeting - Feb 15th

PRESCOTT AIRPORT USERS ASSOCIATION
TUESDAY February 15, 2011, 7:00pm
AIRPORT ADMIN. BLDG., 2nd floor

PROGRAM: “Notice of Purposed Rule Making” “Safety Manage System and Driver training program” Bring your ideas and thoughts and we will kick them around.

SNACKS PROVIDED BY LEGEND AVIATION
A WARM WELCOME TO ALL OUR NEW MEMBERS AND A REMINDER THAT DUES ARE DUE IN JANUARY OF EACH YEAR. RE-UP FOR TWO YEARS FOR $18.00 OR THREE YEARS FOR $25.00. BRING YOUR QUESTIONS, CONCERNS AND CONGRATS. THIS SHOULD BE A LIVELY MEETING.

THOSE WHO HAVE NOT RECEIVED YOUR 2011 MEMBERSHIP CARDS PLEASE PICK THEM UP AT THE MEETING.

City of Prescott Promoting Aviation

by FlyPrescott
In mid to late March, the City of Prescott, Az.
will be releasing it's video promoting the unique aviation assets of the City, the Prescott Municipal Airport (PRC). Prescott, Arizona is not only known for it's unparalleled natural beauty, it is consistently rated as one of the top places to live and most importantly is a leading aviation center.


The Prescott Airport is home to one of only two campuses in the United States for Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. ERAU is known globally for it's flight training, engineering, national security, business, and meteorology programs.

Also on the airfield are top flight training programs

offered by Guidance Aviation, both a fixed wing and high altitude helicopter training facility, North-Aire Aviation which has a wide variety of aircraft including amphibious and aerobatic aircraft as well as Ariz-Air flight training.

For comprehensive info on the Prescott Municipal Airport (PRC) go to http://www.flyprescott.com/

City of Prescott Releases New Video - Beautiful!

Video can now also be viewed at:
Fly Prescott and Fly Prescott Visitors Page

Trader Joe's Coming to Prescott!

From The City of Prescott, Az.

Friday, January 28, 2011

City officials have received confirmation that Red Realty Advisors, LLC and Trader Joe's have reached an agreement to bring a Trader Joe's to the new Shops at the Prescott Gateway development adjacent to Gateway Mall on SR 69 at Lee Boulevard. The proposed development is a multi-tenant commercial shopping center with mixed retail, business, and restaurant uses.

According to a Trader Joe's press release, the store is scheduled to open this year and will be 12,000 square feet in size.

If agreements for the proposed retail development are in final form, key details will be provided at the Prescott City Council meeting of February 8 and will include an introductory presentation on the site plan, agreements, and financial analysis. On February 15, Council will hold a special meeting for voting on the site plan which may include a sign package and agreements.

Live television coverage of the meetings will be available on local Access
Channel 13.

For further information, contact Tom Guice in the Planning and Zoning Division at 928-777-1363.

MORE RULES from FAA, Airport Users, PLEASE READ and COMMENT!

A "NPRM" was published yesterday and could have an

impact to the users of the airport. The NPRM would require

the airport to provide and document training for all persons who access the non-movement areas regardless of their duties or duration of access. This training would be required annually thereafter. The NPRM does provide exceptions to the training requirement for the following people:

>Airman exercising the privileges of an applicable airman certificate;

>Persons escorted by a trained individual; and

>Other persons identified in the certificate holder’s ACM.

However, there is no mention in the NPRM about how the airport operator would distinguish between a trained person and untrained person operating on the airport, what regulatory compliance implications are set because of this NPRM, etc. I will be bringing this item up at the next PAUA meeting as well as revisiting the SMS NPRM.

To date, I have only received 1 comment from a user regarding the SMS to be forwarded on to the FAA.

AIRPORT USERS, please submit your comments by posting comment below which we will foward to the Airport Admin offices for submissions to the FAA, the deadline to have them to the FAA is March 7. I also ask that they provide me we a copy of their comments that they send to FAA or they can provide the comments directly to me and I will ensure they get submitted along with the City comments.

FAA Issues NPRM On Driver Training, Pavement Evaluation
FAA has issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) to amend the airport certification standards in Part 139 related to driver training and to pavement surface evaluations.

In announcing the NPRM, FAA said the proposed rule will improve safety by:

• Establishing minimum standards for driver training of personnel who access the airport non-movement areas such as the ramp and apron;

• Establishing a requirement for pavement surface evaluations to ensure reliability of runway surfaces in wet weather conditions;

• Establishing a requirement for a Surface Movement Guidance

Control System (SMGCS) plan if the certificate holder conducts

low visibility operations. The plan would facilitate the safe movement of aircraft and vehicles in low visibility conditions;

• Clarifying the applicability of Part 139 based on the number of aircraft passenger seats used for passenger-carrying operations, and

• Explicitly prohibiting fraudulent or intentionally false statements in a certificate application or record required to be maintained.

The proposed requirements related to driver training were an action item from the 2007 Runway Safety FAA Call for Action. The pavement evaluations were an action item called for in the 2007 International Civil of Aviation Organization (ICAO) audit of the United States .

If you should have any questions, please feel free to contact me.

Sincerely,
Benjamin Vardiman, ACE
Airport Manager
Prescott Municipal Airport
Ernest A. Love Field
6546 Crystal Lane
Prescott , AZ 86301
Office: (928)-777-1114
Fax: (928)-771-5861
Email: ben.vardiman@prescott-az.gov

Embry-Riddle Prescott Joins Industry & Education Partners to Grow Aerospace & Defense Tech

Prescott, Ariz., January 3, 2011 – Engineers at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Prescott will soon begin work on a research project that could help them understand the effects of damage to titanium alloys used in aircraft turbine engines. The project is part of Embry-Riddle Prescott’s contribution to a coalition of academic and industry partners that was formed to create a competitive advantage for the aerospace and defense sector in Arizona, announced Dr. Ron Madler, Dean of the College of Engineering at Embry-Riddle Prescott.

The initiative, known as the Aerospace and Defense (A&D)

Research Collaboratory, is funded by a $1 million grant from Science Foundation Arizona’s (SFAz) Aerospace and Defense Initiative (ADI). Arizona State University is leading the collaboratory, which aims to further develop and strengthen technologies used in aerospace and military applications. The ADI is a statewide effort created, in part, with the support of federal stimulus funding, to streamline partnerships that will advance aerospace and defense in Arizona and bring more A&D companies to the state.

Embry-Riddle College of Engineering faculty Dr. David Lanning will lead the $62,427 research project, which specifically tests how much a titanium alloy can endure when affected by notches. Notches in the metal are one aspect of foreign object damage that is created by dust, sand, debris, birds and other objects that get sucked into the turbine engines. Dr. Madler credits this research opportunity to Dr. Lanning’s experience and dedication to developing Embry-Riddle’s state-of-the-art facilities.

“Dr. David Lanning has devoted much of his career to the topic of high cycle fatigue. He has developed an entire suite of structural testing labs that make this kind of critical research possible,” Dr. Madler stated.

“We will be manufacturing some test specimens of a titanium alloy that is common in the cooler sections of turbine engines,” Dr. Lanning explained. “This will allow us to research what small nicks can do to the metal. We will be testing our specimens under a variety of loading conditions.” The parts of the engine affected are critical to the safety of the aircraft as well as being expensive to manufacture and replace.

“Embry-Riddle is proud to be lending our expertise to this extraordinary effort by state leaders in education and aerospace. This collaboration of our state’s resources for research, development and innovation will ultimately impact the future for our engineering graduates,” said Dr. Frank Ayers, Executive Vice President and Chief Academic Officer of the Embry-Riddle Prescott campus.

Besides ASU and Embry-Riddle, the A&D Research Collaboratory partners also include the University of Arizona, Alion Science & Technology, Wiseman Technologies Inc., Honeywell Aerospace, Raytheon, General Atomics and Renaissance Science Corporation.

For more information on the A&D Research Collaboratory or the materials testing project, contact Dr. Ron Madler, 928-777-3896.

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, the world's largest, fully accredited university specializing in aviation and aerospace, offers more than 30 undergraduate and graduate degree programs in its colleges of Arts and Sciences, Aviation, Business, and Engineering. Embry-Riddle educates students at residential campuses in Daytona Beach, Fla., and Prescott, Ariz., through the Worldwide Campus at more than 150 locations in the United States, Europe, Asia, Canada, and the Middle East, and through online learning. For more information, visit http://www.embryriddle.edu/

Media Contact
Susan Larsen
Director of Marketing and Public Relations
3700 Willow Creek Road
Prescott, AZ 86310
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
(928) 777-6731
susan.larsen@erau.edu

PAUA Membership Renewal & ERAU Soccer Top Honors

THAT TIME OF THE YEAR HAS ARRIVED WHEN ALL CLUBS, GROUPS AND ORGANIZATIONS HAVE TO ASK FOR MONEY FOR NEXT YEAR.

THIS PAST YEAR PAUA HAS GROWN NOT ONLY IN SIZE BUT ALSO INFLUENCE WHERE IT COUNTS.

THE PILOT SHOP, ARIZONA AIRCRAFTSMAN AND LEGEND AVIATION HAVE ALL SIGNED ON OFFERING DISCOUNTS TO OUR MEMBERS FOR 2011.

DUES ARE $10.00 PER YEAR, 2 YEARS FOR $18.00 OR THREE YEARS FOR $25.00

YOU CAN ACQUIRE A RENEWAL FORM AT THE NEXT MEETING ON JANUARY 18TH 2011

HERE’S HOPING ALL OF YOU HAVE A SAFE AND ENJOYABLE HOLIDAY SEASON.

CURRIE LEE
PAUA
---------------------------------
Embry-Riddle Prescott Campus Soccer Athletes Score Top Academic Honors
Prescott, Ariz., December 9, 2010 – Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University’s Prescott campus women’s and men’s soccer teams earned top honors from the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) for academic achievement, announced Ted Blake, Embry-Riddle Director of Athletics. Six women and seven men athletes were named to the 2010 NAIA Daktronics Academic All-American Team.

The Prescott campus women’s soccer team ranked fifth out of 949 NCAA and NAIA soccer programs nationwide with a cumulative GPA of 3.64. Men’s soccer posted a 3.31 cumulative GPA, placing them in the top five percent of NAIA men’s soccer teams.

“What impresses me most about these young people is their overall excellence in scholastics, athletics and maturity,” said Dr. Frank Ayers, Executive Vice President and Chief Academic Office for the Prescott campus. “We have a truly exceptional group of scholar athletes.”

The six women’s All-Americans include: Julie Falsken, Norco, Calif.; Brittany Murillo, Yakima, Wash.; Samantha Welch, Arlington, Wash.; Clancy Delforge, Truckee, Calif.; Lindsay Cowgill, Issaquah, Wash.; and Kristen Persson, Taunton, Mass.

The seven men All-Americans include: Patrick Patzig, Frankfurt, Germany; Masuod Hedayat, Kassell, Germany; Scott Adams, Mason, Mich.; Andrew Chriss, Bend, Ore.; Rodrigo Lalli, Sao Paulo, Brazil; Tyler Silverberg, Ladera Ranch, Calif.; and Derek Hagemeier, Eagle, Idaho.

The women’s team qualified for post-season play in the Association of Independent Institutions (A.I.I.) conference tournament for the third year in row, with Brittany Murillo, Julie Falsken, and Kiley Frazier selected for 2010 A.I.I. All Conference. The men’s team qualified for the second year in a row at A.I.I. and players Magi Mas Manresa and Thiago Goncalves were selected for 2010 A.I.I. All Conference.

To learn more about Embry-Riddle Prescott’s scholar-athletes and its other athletic programs, contact Ted Blake, 928-777-3791.

Slow Day in News calls for Relief

November, 2010 -
As many may be aware, based on tenant supplied information that persons were relieving themselves in the open on the North Ramp by the self service fuel island, the City recently relocated the North Ramp Port-a-John by about 1200 feet to the North from the entrance gate near the self-serve fuel island. Since then we have received several calls about the relocation of the port-a-john. Understanding the hardships of this port-a-john relocation and in an effort to provide superior customer service, the City has ordered another port-a-john to be delivered in the next few weeks. This port-a-john will be placed next to the entrance gate.

Thanks,
Benjamin Vardiman, ACE
Airport Manager
Prescott Municipal Airport
Ernest A. Love Field
6546 Crystal Lane
Prescott , AZ 86301
Office: (928)-777-1114
Fax: (928)-771-5861
Email: ben.vardiman@prescott-az.gov

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UPDATED COMMERCIAL AIRLINES SCHEDULE (PRC) AS OF 11-07-10

---------------------------------

NORTHAIRE ACCELERATED FLIGHT TRAINING HOLIDAY RATES

--------------------------------

ARIZ AIR at PRC

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GUIDANCE AVIATION: Helicopter & Fixed Wing Training

Great Holiday Rates from North-Aire Aviation

Just a heads up, some great rates just came up for all you prop nuts! Check it out: You can also view North-Aire's website at: www.northaire.com

Veterans Find Support & Success at ERAU, Prescott

Prescott, Ariz., November 8, 2010 –

Ensuring a smooth transition from full-time solider to full-time student is the goal of new initiatives at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Prescott. The campus recently created a Veteran’s Organization that offers a slate of services to veterans and their families.

“We began to see interest increasing when the Yellow Ribbon program was announced and knew this was our opportunity not only to provide the best education for our country’s former servicemen and women, but to go over and above in meeting their specialized needs,” said Dr. Frank Ayers, Executive Vice Prescient and Chief Academic Officer of Embry-Riddle in Prescott.

The recent surge in enrollment of veterans led the Prescott campus to ramp up services geared at this unique population. Currently 178 veterans using their benefits are students at Embry-Riddle, the vast majority of them here on the Post-911 G.I. Bill, or Yellow Ribbon program. The professional pilot degree program is the most popular with students flying both fixed-wing and helicopter. The Global Security and Intelligence Studies degree is a close second; however, there are veterans enrolled in nearly every one of the thirteen degree programs, said Dean of Student Affairs, Larry Stephan.

“I think the Yellow Ribbon program is a great opportunity for rewarding our young adults who have served our country and to help them prepare for a productive future,” Stephan said.

Veteran’s Coordinator Ret. Col. Fred Cone, a former Marine Corps pilot and combat veteran, who previously taught in aeronautical science at Embry-Riddle for 20 years, oversees the programs for veterans. In addition to their own lounge where they can meet up with other students like them, Col. Cone helps arrange tutoring sessions, special events such as a recent BBQ social for the students and their families, and a hiking club that meets on weekends.

The main focus of the Veteran’s Organization is to provide support to help servicemen and women adapt to university life and re-acclimate into the community around them. Cone also helps direct them to existing services in the community, such as the Veteran’s Upward Bound program that provides academic support and career counseling.

“They are very quick at adapting but need guidance. For many of them last formal education they had was high school,” Cone said. The veteran’s lounge is a popular place, Cone said, because, “It’s a place they can gather to talk and support each other. They like to come in and talk military-ese. It’s a place to communicate with other students like them.”

Embry-Riddle has received recognitions for it strength in programs that are particularly important to former military. Military Times Edge magazine (militarytimesedge.com) recently ranked Embry-Riddle third of 100 on its “Best for Vets” list of colleges for 2010.

The impact of the bolstered support for veterans shows in their success rate. The retention rate for t veterans is higher than the general campus population, and, as group, their GPA averages above the general student population.

“Some of these guys might have taken courses in the service, but many have been out of the learning environment for four or more years. Yet they have come back to school focused and do well,” said Stephan.

They also remain connected to their comrades on active duty. The Veteran’s Organization has spearheaded an ongoing effort to collect and send “care package” items to troops overseas, via a colleague, former flight department chair Army National Guard Col. Jerry Kidrick, who was called up to active duty last year. Col. Kidrick is facilitating distribution of donated items to a local orphanage and to the soldiers stationed with him in Basra Province, Iraq. Additionally, the organization is sponsoring a golf tournament and a run to raise funds for the Phoenix chapter of the Wounded Warrior Project (woundedwarriorproject.org), a national organization that provides support and recognition to injured soldiers.

The campus will sponsor a Veteran’s Appreciation Concern on Tuesday, Nov. 9, at 7 p.m. in the Activity Center, featuring the 108th Army Band. The concert is free and open to the public.

For more information on services available to veterans on the Prescott campus or to make a donation for any of the Veteran’s Organizations initiatives, please contact Col. Fred Cone, Veteran’s Coordinator, 928-777-6733

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, the world’s largest, fully accredited university specializing in aviation and aerospace, offers more than 30 undergraduate and graduate degree programs in its colleges of Arts and Sciences, Aviation, Business, and Engineering. Embry-Riddle educates more than 34,000 students annually at residential campuses in Daytona Beach, Fla., and Prescott, Ariz., through the Worldwide Campus at more than 170 locations in the United States, Europe, Asia, Canada, and the Middle East, and through online learning. For more information, visit www.embryriddle.edu.

Media Contact
Susan Larsen
Director of Marketing and Public Relations
3700 Willow Creek Road
Prescott, AZ 86310
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
(928) 777-6731
susan.larsen@erau.edu