DCCC taking to the skies with helicopter flight program

Starting this fall, people can learn how to fly a helicopter at Dodge City Community College.
    The DCCC Board of Trustees voted Tuesday to implement a helicopter flight program at DCCC by entering into a business partnership with Universal Helicopter, Inc.
    The two-year contract with the Arizona-based company will establish a helicopter flight program at the college so students can earn a private pilot certificate, a commercial pilot certificate, a one-year certificate or an associate of applied science degree after four semesters of flight instruction, support courses and general education classes.
    "We are developing a program that is not duplicated anywhere in the nation," said Danny Gillum, associate dean of technical education.
    DCCC and Universal will share the responsibilities of the program, according to the agreement.
    The college will work with recruitment, program admissions, assisting students with financial aid, collecting tuition and fees and providing general education and support courses necessary for an associate's degree.
    The college will also provide adequate hangar space at Dodge City Regional Airport and make space available for ground training and other courses.
    Gillum said he has negotiated renting space for the helicopters at the airport for approximately $4,500, which will be paid from the college's vocational capital outlay fund.
    "This fits beautifully with the expansion of the airport," Gillum said. "Timing is everything. This is the right time."
    Universal will be in charge of hiring, training and monitoring qualified instructors for flight training and advanced ground training. The company will also assist the college with recruitment, admissions and establishing student charges for flight training. 
    Universal will provide helicopters (a Robinson R22 Beta II and Robinson R44 Raven) and other flight equipment for the program. The company will also ensure the safety and quality of the equipment and pay operating and maintenance expenses for it.
    DCCC and UHI will share the cost of insurance, with each securing and maintaining airport liability insurance coverage for at least $1 million per occurrence and $100,000 per seat liability coverage, according to the contract.
    Gillum and Dean of Students Anthony Lyons said they are looking forward to working with Universal Helicopters Inc. and its president and chief instructor, Gordon Jiroux.
    Jiroux, who has experience as a flight examiner, instructor and pilot, started the company 27 years ago. This flight school currently operates in four locations; Scottsdale, Ariz.; Provo, Utah; Long Beach, Calif.; and Prescott, Ariz.
    Universal follows a comprehensive safety policy. Students and employees are expected to follow the procedures and policies concerning weather, communication and pre-flight practices in order to remain in the program. 
    "Aviation is a particularly unforgiving profession, and UHI's operating requirements are designed for safe operations and to minimize the possibility of incident or accident to any students, instructors or third parties," Jiroux said in the company's safety manual. "We cannot and will not tolerate violations, and our safety policies, practices and procedures are written with this primary objective in mind."
    Gillum said students are already on a waiting list for the program, which is expected to begin in two weeks with a class of 12 students. By the spring semester, the class is expected to accommodate up to 25 students. 
   
Reach Cherise Forno at (620) 408-9931 or e-mail her at cherise.forno@dodgeglobe.com.