Epic Rides, producer of the country's largest mountain bike race, the Whiskey Off-Road in Prescott, Arizona, just released their video of this year's race (see below). With a $40,000 purse, this race is quickly becoming known as one of the most popular and challenging mountain bike races in the U.S.
Arizona's SBA CEO, Rick Murray and
National SBA District Director, Robert Blaney, present
the AZ SBA Award to John Stonecipher
And, as events grow in Prescott and receive national recognition, so does Prescott business. On May 16th, Prescott's own John Stonecipher, President and CEO of Guidance Aviation was awarded Person of The Year by the State of Arizona Small Business Administration. It just so happens that Guidance was a sponsor of this year's Whiskey Off-Road, providing a helicopter and crew to support the videographers and photographers.
Stonecipher established Guidance Aviation in 1998 with one helicopter and himself as the sole flight instructor. Now, with fifteen aircraft and 50 employees, Stonecipher will be representing all Arizona businesses, going up against 54 other state finalists (including Guam, Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico and District of Columbia) during the Small Business Administration's National Awards in Washington, D.C., June 21st.
No doubt, it has already been an epic year for tourism AND business in Prescott, Arizona!
Check out what U.S. Veterans John Cary, CFI-I, flight instructor, and Israel Tilman, helicopter flight student and mountain biker have to say about the opportunities being created at Guidance Aviation.
The Whiskey Off-Road Mountain Bike Race which took place over the weekend in Prescott, Arizona, was a huge success as hundreds of riders competed for the $40,000 cash purse. The event was covered by Guidance Aviation both on the ground and in the air. This segment covers some of the "on the ground" images at the start and finish lines. Be looking for our photos of the race from the air coming soon!
Prescott, AZ's Famous Whiskey Row, Home of the Whiskey Off-Road Mountain Bike Race.
Battling around the corner to the finish line. An absolutely perfect day at the Courthouse Square, across the street from Whiskey Row. Just past the finish line, riders coast to join up with post race activities. Racers and fans gathering at finish.
As a result of employee furloughs due to sequestration, the FAA is implementing traffic management
initiatives at airports and facilities around the country. Travelers can expect to see a wide range of delays that will change throughout the day depending on staffing and weather related issues. For example, the FAA is experiencing staffing challenges at the Miami and Los Angeles En Route Centers, the Tampa TRACON, and Chicago O'Hare and Tampa Towers. Controllers will space planes farther apart so they can manage traffic with current staff, which will lead to delays at airports including Chicago O'Hare, Las Vegas and Tampa. The FAA also expects delays at a number of other airports because of weather and winds.
The FAA will continue to work with the airlines throughout the day to try and minimize delays for travelers. We encourage all travelers to check their flight status and also to visit fly.faa.gov for the latest airport delay information.
Yesterday more than 1,025 delays in the system were attributable to staffing reductions resulting from the furlough. There were more than 975 additional delays as a result of weather and other factors.
Israel Tilman, Guidance Aviation's own in-house professional mountain biker, shared this Heli Biking video with us as we all get ready for this week's Whiskey Off Road Mountain Bike Race in Prescott, Arizona. Produced by EPIC Rides, this year's Whiskey Off Road has a purse of $40,000!
Enjoy the video from down under and GOOD LUCK to Israel and all the riders!
After the race, join us for great times on Prescott's famous Whiskey Row for live music, locally brewed beer and great food!
This past week, Derek Allensworth, a helicopter flight student at Guidance Aviation, earned his commercial rating. It was only 8 months ago Derek was talking about the excitement of his first solo and earning his private pilot certificate (video below).
Derek Allensworth, right, pictured with his flight instructor, Jason Martin, CFI-I at Guidance Aviation.
Congratulations Derek. Keep up the great work and keep reaching higher!
Field studies show that Flight Instructors jump higher.
As China sets to triple the amount of civilian helicopters flying in its airspace over the next five years, the largest EMS operator in the U.S., Air Methods, with 315 locations and 400 aircraft, is seeking to hire up to 300 pilots in 2013 (Watch video below). Combine international demand for helicopter pilots and their aircraft with the current, rising domestic demand and mix that up with 70's era pilots retiring in the U.S., and what you have is a helicopter pilot's "perfect storm": Incredible pilot demand worldwide.
"In the next five years, the number of civilian helicopters in China is expected to triple to 600, with as many as 2,000 needed by 2032, according to sources." - quoted from article below.
"Experts say China has 155,800 potential civilian helicopter clients, and the market is worth as much as 150 billion yuan ($24.2 billion)." - quoted from article below.
"We have a need for pilots. We are probably going to hire 300 pilots this year," Dennis McCall, Air Methods - (Video below).
CHINA DAILY:
Employers Seeking to Hire 100's of Pilots in 2013 and beyond:
Veterans Welcome Home Event, April 27 from 12-5pm at Watson Lake in Prescott.
The Veterans Action Leadership Project will be providing Kayaking, Rappelling, Hiking and Kids' Activities.
Lunch will be served from 11:30-1. All Veterans, active duty service men and women, and their families are invited. Join in the activities and other local partners for hiking, kayaking, kid's activities and much more! For more information call (928) 445-4860, ext # 6308!
Flight over The Dells and Watson Lake: "Promise of The Dells"
Join Guidance Aviation at the FAASTeam National Safety Stand Down, Cottonwood Airport, Saturday, April 20, 2013, 9AM.
This year thousands of pilots across the country will come together as a Safety Community to participate in a dynamic, interactive program devoted to Local Safety Issues, Loss of Control, and the number one aviation fatal factor – Human Error. Don’t miss this opportunity to hear from local flying experts, participate in dynamic discussions, and gain practical insights on how you can learn more from accident reports and reduce errors in your own flying. Be a part of the safety community. Tell your friends, “I’ll see you at the Stand Down.”
Location of Seminar:
Cottonwood Airport
1001 W. Mingus Ave
Hangar B
Cottonwood, AZ 86326
Directions and Map:
From center of Cottonwood, head N.W. towards Jerome, turn left (W) on Mingus. The Airport is approximately 1/4 mile W. on left. Hangar B is 1st hangar inside gate past terminal. Signs will be present.
The FAA Safety Team 2013 National Safety Stand Down
**You may See & Print FAA Safety Briefing Magazine pdf HERE
Knowledge and Proficiency are the foundations of safe aviation operations. Attend this exciting event and earn all three Knowledge Credits for a Basic Phase in the WINGs Program!
Agenda
Part 1) FAA Safety Information Session
You’ll hear the latest from your local FAASTeam Reps including, Local Safety Issues, General Aviation (GA) services and oversight / office information. You’ll also learn the history of Safety Stand Down events and how you can participate in exciting continuation education projects for pilots and aviation maintenance technicians.
Part 2) Introduction to Human Error
There’s a lot to be learned from reading accident reports but it takes some digging and a little special knowledge to understand why mistakes occur and, more importantly how to avoid them or at least make their consequences less severe. This fascinating and entertaining look at the interface between the aviation system and the human mind is something no pilot will want to miss.
Part 3) Loss of Control Discussion
Respected aviation experts will discuss Loss of Control accidents and offer advice on how to hone your skills and sharpen your judgment to get more utility, safety, and fun from your flying. There will be plenty of opportunity to ask questions and participate in the discussion.
Attend this exclusive FAASTeam presentation and…
Become part of the ongoing FAASTeam effort to improve aviation safety,
Discover new ways to approach safety, how to identify risks and how to reduce those risks, and
Learn methods and procedures to sharpen your judgment and flight discipline -- those key behavioral elements of safe flying - and increase your situational awareness.
The 2013 FAA Safety Team (FAASTeam) Safety Stand Down is being sponsored by the City of Cottonwood Airport & Verde Valley Flyers Association. We'd also like to recognize them for their personal contributions to the AZ FAASTeam. They provide facilities, personnel, and logistical support for FAASTeam seminars.
*To receive WINGs credit you MUST be present for the entire event. We are unable to issue partial credits. - FAASAFETY.GOV
missionary parents. A U.S. Marine Veteran, having served five years active duty and three years inactive reserves, Tilman discovered he could use his GI Bill benefits to pay for his helicopter flight training at Guidance Aviation through his wife who works for Veteran Services at Yavapai College, Guidance Aviation’s collegiate partner. “At first I didn’t believe my wife when she told my GI Bill benefits would cover my costs to not only conduct helicopter flight training, but also acquire my Associate of Applied Science degree, Aviation Technology,” remarked Tilman. “After stopping by a job fair in 2012 and speaking with Robert Short, Manager of Student Services at Guidance, the rest is history.”
Tilman started his helicopter flight training at Guidance Aviation in 2012 and to date has acquired 53 hours of flight training and is almost ready to earn his Private Pilot certificate. Additionally, Tilman was hired on by Prescott Wing and Rotor, Guidance’s aviation maintenance division, as an Aviation Mechanic Apprentice. Tilman has been working at Prescott Wing and Rotor for the past nine months. “Working at Prescott Wing and Rotor has been a great experience for me. I’m working, I’m flying, and I hope in the future to be doing long line work or search and rescue. But, any day in a helicopter is a good day,” said Tilman.
Outside of flying helicopters, you’ll find this U.S. Veteran in competitive mountain bike racing. Having raced in approximately 40 races, Tilman has earned his way up the points ladder to the expert class last year after a strong showing in the sport class. “I plan on racing the full Pro Gravity tour, and the National Championships. Those are my main focus so I can build up points. Epic Rides puts on some great events and I would love to do some more of their races in the future,” Tilman added.
“I am excited that Guidance Aviation is interested in sponsoring me and possibly some other riders in the future,” Tilman said.
