NBAA Selects Three Students to Receive USAIG/PDP Scholarships

Contact: Cassandra Bosco

Washington, DC, September 10, 2002 – The National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) has selected three students in aviation-related collegiate programs to receive Professional Development Program (PDP) scholarships from the United States Aircraft Insurance Group (USAIG). Lisa N. Bush of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Prashant G. Franklin of the University of North Dakota and David W. McArdle of Purdue University each will receive $1,000.

NBAA, in cooperation with the University Aviation Association (UAA), has developed the Professional Development Program to train future flight department leaders. PDP classes currently are available to students and flight department personnel through a variety of convenient and flexible delivery methods. Established training organizations and educational institutions provide management training courses in several different media, including Internet courses, video courses and seminars.

Lisa Bush of Brantingham, NY is a dean’s list student at Embry-Riddle pursuing her B.S. in aerospace studies with minors in air traffic control, environmental studies, business and aviation safety. She expects to graduate in April 2003. Her student research projects include the study of small aircraft transportation systems, the future of air cargo operations and airline management.

Prashant Franklin of Arden Hills, MN is a dean’s list student at the University of North Dakota who expects to graduate with a B.S. in aeronautics in May 2004. His employment experience includes line-personnel duties at Anoka County Airport in Minnesota. He is a private pilot (ASEL).

David McArdle of West Lafayette, IN is a student at Purdue University who plans to graduate in spring 2004 with a degree in aviation flight technology and a minor in management. He holds a commercial pilot’s certificate (CFII-AIM) with instrument, SEL and MEL ratings and has approximately 650 total flight hours. His employment experience includes line-personnel duties at Tri-State Airport and at Mercury Air Center, both in Indiana. He also has worked as a flight instructor.

To be eligible for an USAIG/PDP scholarship, a student must be an undergraduate sophomore, junior, or senior enrolled in an aviation-related two-year, four-year, or post-graduate degree program at an institution that offers a PDP-approved course. The applicant also is required to have at least a 3.0 grade point average on a 4.0 scale. In addition, the applicant is required to submit a transcript, resume, letter of recommendation from a faculty member, and essay describing his or her goals for a career in the business aviation flight department.

In all, NBAA offers nine scholarships to promote professional development and business aviation careers. For more information, visit www.nbaa.org/scholarships.

The United States Aircraft Insurance Group (USAIG) provides a complete spectrum of coverages for owners, operators, manufacturers and maintainers of corporate, private and commercial aircraft. USAIG has been a Member of NBAA since 1953.

NBAA represents the aviation interests of more than 7,200 companies which own or operate general aviation aircraft as an aid to the conduct of their business, or are involved with business aviation. NBAA Member Companies earn annual revenues approaching $5 trillion — a number that is about half the gross domestic product — and employ more than 19 million people worldwide. The NBAA Annual Meeting & Convention is the world’s largest display of civil aviation products and services.

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