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Monday, June 11, 2012

Life Comes Full Circle for One Helicopter Pilot as Another Helicopter Pilot's Career Takes Off

Left to right: Johnny Stonecipher, Amanda Stonecipher,
Kenan Bahadir, Maverick Helicopters and
John Stonecipher, CEO & President, Guidance Aviation
If we are fortunate enough through our life, the hard work pays off.  When it does, sometimes we are rewarded with financial gain and often with the respect of others.  We are more fortunate when our influence and success creates success in others and we have the opportunity to witness the phenomenon, making it self evident that our life has come full circle.  The latter recently happened to John Stonecipher, CEO and President of Guidance Aviation on June 9, 2012.

Stonecipher, his wife Amanda and his 2 year old son Johnny met up with Kenan Bahadir, Guidance CFI-I, Guidance Graduate and now a professional helicopter pilot for Maverick Helicopters in the Grand Canyon.  Stonecipher worked the same job more than 15 years ago and in part, that job helped Stonecipher formulate the idea for the first FAA approved high altitude helicopter flight training academy in Prescott, Arizona.

Staff photo of Kenan Bahadir while
at Guidance Aviation.  Kenan now
flies EC-130s for Maverick Helicopters
"Flying with Kenan brought me back to my roots, where it all started. It was a fantastic day to see Kenan living his dream of being a professional helicopter pilot", remarked Stonecipher.

"I chose Guidance Aviation because it was simply a better program than the other program(s) offered at the airport at the time", stated Kenan.  "Less restrictive, access to more airports and more "real world", off airport operations like mountainous terrain operations".

Kenan starting helicopter flight training with Guidance Aviation in 2008 and by May of 2010 he was an Instructor Pilot (IP). In December of 2012, Kenan was hired by Maverick Helicopters and is now flying an EC-130 while also staying on part-time at Guidance conducting stage checks.

"I am grateful for what John Stonecipher, CEO, Guidance Aviation, has done for me. He personally called Maverick Helicopters and recommended me", says Kenan.

Related links:
Maverick Helicopters
Guidance Aviation

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Guidance Aviation was the first FAA Approved Part 141 high altitude helicopter flight training facility in the U.S. The program is VA Chapter 33 benefits approved for eligible U.S. Military Veterans through our collegiate partner program. Students may acquire their Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree, Professional Pilot, Aviation Technology. Courses include advanced turbine training, long line operations, Part 135 tour operations, and night vision goggles (NVG). For more info on Guidance Aviation and Guidance Helicopters, go to http://www.guidance.aero or call us, Toll Free: 877-235-9444.