Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Prescott Campus student Cooper Largent has been awarded the 2019 MD 500 Transition Training Scholarship by MD Helicopters, Inc. This unique training opportunity has value of approximately $12,000.

The MD 500 is an advanced, turbine-powered helicopter that most students are not yet qualified to fly. The week-long, one-on-one training course is held at the MD Helicopters global headquarters and production facility in Mesa, Arizona. There, students learn helicopter systems, emergency procedures and how to fly the aircraft.

“I am so incredibly thankful to be chosen as the recipient of the 2019 MD 500 transition training scholarship,” said Cooper Largent. “It is truly an honor and a unique opportunity to have the chance to work with some of the industry’s best pilots in an amazing aircraft. This scholarship will help propel my long term aviation goals of flying MD helicopters in Alaska before returning to fight fires in the western U.S. I would like to express my gratitude to the generous team at MD Helicopters as well as all of the professors, counselors, and flight instructors that have supported me.”

In addition to a current or impending Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) rating, the scholarship applicants are required to maintain a minimum grade point average of 3.0, have a first or second class FAA-medical certificate, and submit two letters of recommendation and a video essay explaining how the transition would help launch their career.

“MD Helicopters is an incredible and long-time supporter of the Embry-Riddle Helicopter Program through scholarships, factory visits, training materials and industry feedback,” said Dawn Groh, Embry-Riddle Assistant Professor or Helicopter Operations. “The connection and continual exchange of ideas with industry is a crucial element for our students’ success and enables us to be highly responsive in our training and curriculum to industry needs.”

“Year after year we continue to be impressed and inspired by the quality of the applications we receive for this scholarship,” said Lynn Tilton, Chief Executive Officer for MD Helicopters, Inc. “Embry-Riddle is clearly cultivating a talented, next generation of rotorcraft pilot. We are particularly proud to present this year’s award to Cooper. He is an impressive applicant with a bright future and we are honored to be part of his continuing education and future as an MD helicopter pilot.”

The scholarship award announcement will be made at 3:00pm on Wednesday, March 6, at the MD Helicopters booth, #C1228, at HAI Heli-Expo in Atlanta, Georgia.