Guidance Aviation of Prescott, Ariz., was named the City’s Most Philanthropic Business for organizations with more than 50 employees during the Healthy Prescott Business Awards, hosted by the Prescott Chamber of Commerce.
Since 2007, the helicopter pilot school has donated in excess of $580,000.00. These philanthropic efforts include cash, aircraft, equipment, and in-kind flight donations, including the donation of an Robinson R44 helicopter to the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office (YCSO) to support the YCSO Search and Rescue (SAR) program. To date, the SAR program and helicopter have saved dozens of lives. Guidance Aviation has also donated nearly $30,000 to date to the Yavapai College Foundation.
In 2013, Guidance Aviation’s CEO John Stonecipher was named the Business Person of the Year by the United States Small Business Administration in Washington, D.C. Criteria for the prestigious national award included financial strength, sustained hiring, sustained growth, and philanthropic efforts.
Later this year, Stonecipher and Guidance Aviation will be announcing a significant multi-year sponsorship package providing both cash and in-kind donations to support women in helicopter aviation.
Guidance Aviation is an FAA approved helicopter flight training institution with flight operations in Prescott, Arizona and Baton Rouge, La. Through its collegiate partner programs, graduates earn both their Associate of Applied Science Degrees (AAS) as well as their FAA certificates and ratings (CFI-I) necessary to become working, professional helicopter pilots. Guidance Aviation is a military friendly institution. The majority of its staff and nearly 80 per cent of its student population are U.S. Military Veterans.
