Since 2010 Universal Helicopters Inc. (UHI, Booth 4451) has provided helicopter flight training to 150 Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU) students at the university’s Prescott, Ariz. campus. At Heli-Expo 2016 on Tuesday, Frank Ayers, ERAU chancellor, and Gordan Jiroux, UHI president and CEO, signed an agreement to extend their partnership for an unspecified number of years.
ERAU’s academic curriculum, developed to prepare students for a career in the helicopter industry, includes aviation safety, environmental operations, crew resource management, flight management, flight planning and advanced helicopter operations. UHI’s flight training program takes students from zero time to certified flight instructor.
Jiroux said ERAU, because of its agreement with UHI, is the only university in the U.S. that offers a curriculum that provides a graduate with a four-year college degree in aeronautics and the ratings and flight time needed to pursue employment as a helicopter pilot.
In addition, military veterans who qualify for the post-9/11 “Yellow Ribbon” GI Bill program, can receive Veterans Administration benefits to attend ERAU and take flight training at UHI.