Whirly-Girls will again offer scholarships to women rotorcraft pilots and technicians in 2024, with more than $500,000 available for award recipients. Applications are due October 1 and the scholarships will be formally presented on Feb. 25, 2024, at HAI Heli-Expo in Anaheim, California.
“When the original 13 members of the Whirly-Girls founded this organization, they were the only female helicopter pilots in the world,” said Alison Martin, Whirly-Girls' past president. “They envisioned a place where female pilots could find support and camaraderie and help one another succeed. Today, our group has grown to over 2,000 members but, despite this growth, females still comprise fewer than 6 percent of pilots.”
Scholarships are being provided by Airbus, Anastasia Mosquito Control District of St. Johns County, Bell, Bristow Group, CAE, Central Oregon Community College, Edward M. Thurn Trust, Erickson, FlightSafety International, Garmin, Leading Edge Flight Academy, Leonardo, MD Helicopters, Palm Beach Helicopters, PHI Aviation, Randy Mains and Oregon Aero, Robinson Helicopter, Southern Utah University, Survival Systems USA, Volo Mission, and private donors.