Bristow Academy Inc., a division of Bristow Group, today announced that Martin Lorentzen is the 2016 Bill Chiles scholarship award recipient.

Bristow’s Scholarship Selection Committee selected Lorentzen based on his skill, financial need and ability to operate at the highest level of Target Zero safety. He has been a full-time student at Bristow Academy since January 2015 and received his commercial helicopter pilot rating in April 2016.

The scholarship award covers full tuition at Bristow Academy for a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) CFI helicopter rating to any graduate of Bristow Academy’s Professional Pilot Program, valued at $8,500. The CFI scholarship includes eight weeks of academic instruction and up to 17.5 flight hours.

Originally from Denmark, Lorentzen’s lifelong fascination with helicopters landed him a week-long internship at two offshore companies in Denmark, where talks with pilots and mechanics and a jump seat ride to one of the oilrigs solidified his dream to become a helicopter pilot. His long-term goal is to become a search and rescue (SAR) pilot, and ultimately, a training captain in SAR.

“I believe the experience you get from being a flight instructor builds a strong foundation to pursue a job in SAR, which requires a high level of safety, discipline and skill,” said Lorentzen.

“Bristow Academy is honored to award Martin our second annual Bill Chiles Scholarship,” said Nick Mayhew, commercial programs manager at Bristow Academy. “Through these scholarships, Bristow Academy is pleased to be able to enhance the skills of young and aspiring helicopter pilots who will grow into a safer helicopter industry worldwide.”

Bristow Academy awards the Bill Chiles Scholarship annually in honor of Bristow Group’s Chief Executive Officer Emeritus Bill Chiles for his contribution to creating a safer global helicopter transport community.