John Stonecipher, President & CEO
A former FAA Designated Pilot Examiner and Certified Instructor Pilot with more than 25 years of industry experience, John is a founding member of the Helicopter Association International Helicopter Flight Training committee. In addition to his tenure as a Robinson Helicopter Company (RHC) Test Pilot and RHC Company Instructor, John has been credited with qualifying dozens of FAA Safety Inspectors, FAA National Resource Inspectors and experienced flight instructors in both the Robinson R22 and R44 helicopters.
In 2007, John Stonecipher and Guidance Helicopters, Inc. acquired Congressional Recognition as the recipient of the 2007 Arizona Small Business Success Award. Mr. Stonecipher is a member of the Yavapai County Sheriff's Air Group and a former member of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Prescott's ABA Industry Advisory Board.
In 2011, Guidance Aviation and Stonecipher created the Guidance Aviation Scholarship which provides financial assistance to flight students who are enrolled in the Yavapai College Degree Program, Associate of Applied Science, Helicopters and who are in need of financial assistance. Guidance gives $1,000 to the Yavapai College Foundation for each student enrolled in the program. Also in 2011, Stonecipher and Guidance Aviation were awarded the Arizona State Master Award by the Small Business Development Center of Arizona, the Top Award in the entire State of Arizona.
"While flying commercially in Northern Arizona, I realized there was a definite need for high altitude helicopter training in this region. If you can master flying helicopters at high altitudes, you can fly safely anywhere your job will take you. From that philosphy, the first Part 141 High Altitude Helicopter Flight Training Facilty, Guidance Helicopters, was born. If we haven't placed you successfully in industry, we haven't completed our job." - John Stonecipher, President, CEO, Guidance Aviation
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