NBAA Encourages Careers in Business Aviation With Student Scholarships

Several Scholarship Recipients Announced at NBAA Convention

Contacts: Dan Hubbard, (202) 783-9360, dhubbard@nbaa.org
Patrick Dunne, (202) 783-9263, pdunne@nbaa.org

Atlanta, GA, October 20, 2010 – The National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) offers a wide range of scholarships that encourage young people to seek careers in business aviation. This morning at the NBAA 63rd Annual Meeting & Convention (NBAA2010), several students received awards from the following NBAA scholarship programs: USAIG/PDP Scholarship, Lawrence Ginocchio Aviation Scholarship, William M. Fanning Maintenance Scholarship, NORDAM Dee Howard/Etienne Fage Scholarship and Alan H. Conklin Business Aviation Management Scholarship.

USAIG PDP Scholarship

The U.S. Aircraft Insurance Group (USAIG) PDP Scholarship provides funds for students to take NBAA Professional Development Program (PDP) courses. The annual award granted is $1,000. This year’s recipient is Kevin Lee Rankin.

Rankin is a student at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Prescott, AZ, majoring in mechanical engineering and minoring in flight and aeronautical studies. He soloed at age 16 and received his private pilot’s licence at 17. In May 2009, he flew a 30-day, 8,400 nm cross-country trip throughout the U.S. in a Cardinal 177 RG with his brother.

Lawrence Ginocchio Aviation Scholarship

The Lawrence Ginocchio Aviation Scholarship was created in 2001 by NBAA and the family and friends of the late Lawrence Ginocchio to honor his outstanding personal contribution to business aviation. The following students each receive a $5,000 award:

William M. Fanning Maintenance Scholarship

The Fanning Scholarship is named in honor of retired NBAA staff member William M. Fanning, who was active in maintenance issues during his nearly 20-year tenure at the Association. This year’s recipients each receive a $2,500 award, and they are as follows:

NORDAM Dee Howard/Etienne Fage Scholarship

The NORDAM Dee Howard/Etienne Fage Scholarship was created by The NORDAM Group to honor the lifetime achievements of two aerospace engineering pioneers, Dee Howard and Etienne Fage. Receiving a $2,500 award this year is Aaron Law.

Law is a student at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Prescott, AZ. His career goal is to help found an aerospace engineering company that specializes in exotic aircraft and propulsion concepts.

Alan H. Conklin Business Aviation Management Scholarship

The Conklin Scholarship was created to honor the memory of Al Conklin, a U.S. Air Force veteran, business aviation leader and member of NBAA’s Operations Committee for many years. This year’s recipient, who receives $5,000, is Richard Valentine.

Valentine is a Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) student majoring in aerospace maintenance management. He currently works as an assistant facilities manager at MTSU, a Part 147 school, and works to help maintain a King Air 200. He’s also a flight dispatcher for the MTSU flight school. Upon graduation, he wants to use his skills as a pilot, maintenance technician and manager in the business aviation community, by maintaining a business jet for a large company.

For More Information

To learn more about the numerous scholarship opportunities offered by the Association, contact NBAA’s Jay Evans, director, operations, at (202) 783-9353 or jevans@nbaa.org, or visit www.nbaa.org/scholarships.

For complete coverage of NBAA2010, visit the Online News Bureau.

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Founded in 1947 and based in Washington, DC, the National Business Aviation Association, Inc. (NBAA) is the leading organization for companies that rely on general aviation aircraft to help make their businesses more efficient, productive and successful. The Association represents more than 8,000 companies and provides more than 100 products and services to the business aviation community, including the NBAA Annual Meeting & Convention, the world’s largest civil aviation trade show. Learn more about NBAA at www.nbaa.org.

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