Scholarships

Initiated in 1968 in memory of Doris Mullen (WG #84), a dedicated and professional pilot who lost her life in a fixed-wing aircraft accident, the scholarship program has grown from a single $500 scholarship to several different scholarships valued in excess of $45,000.

The Whirly-Girls Scholarship Fund, Inc ("WGSF") was incorporated in 1974 to oversee and administer the scholarship funds raised by the Whirly-Girls and their Auxiliaries, and is a federally tax exempt 501(c)(3) public charity.

The Scholarship Fund is replenished through the efforts of the Whirly-Girls Auxiliary and the HeliExpo merchandise booth. In the past several years, many helicopter manufacturers and commercial operators have also made significant contributions to the Scholarship Fund.

Many of our Scholarships are awarded based on the independent and objective judging of Dr. Donna Forsyth Wilt. Dr. Wilt is an associate professor and Chair of Flight Education Programs in the College of Aeronautics at Florida Institute of Technology in Melbourne, Fla. She has 25 years of experience in the general aviation industry. She holds the designation of Master CFI by the National Association of Flight Instructors, has served as an FAA Aviation Safety Counselor, is an AOPA Airport Support Network volunteer, and has consulted as a subject mater expert in general aviation for NASA. The Whirly-Girls are grateful for this gift of her professional time and efforts. Dr. Wilt recently renewed her Master CFI accreditation. Read more...

Scholarships are awarded at an annual banquet and must be used by the recipient in the year awarded. Members may apply for up to five scholarships, though a maximum of one scholarship per applicant will be awarded. Applicants must be dues-paying (i.e., 'in good standing') Whirly-Girl members for at least one year prior to the October 1 application deadline for scholarships, for all awards other than the Add-on Flight Training Scholarship.

Donations are TAX-DEDUCTIBLE. Anyone (individual, group or corporation) may contribute.

Applications for the 2009 scholarships are being modified and are currently unavailable. Please check back soon.

Scholarships which will be awarded at Heli-Expo in February 2008:

Whirly-Girls Helicopter Add-on Fight Training Scholarship
FOR FEMALE PILOTS RATED IN AIRCRAFT OTHER THAN HELICOPTERS. This scholarship, funded by the WGSF, is provided this year in memory of Bob Vetter, WG Auxiliary member and husband of Bev WG #459. It provides $6,000 to assist a certificated female pilot, who does not currently have a helicopter rating, in earning her add-on helicopter rating. Applicant will be evaluated for evidence of intent to work in the helicopter industry.

Bell Helicopter Flight Training Scholarship This scholarship is sponsored by Bell Helicopter Textron and will give a Whirly-Girl the opportunity to attend the Bell 206 Turbine Transition Course at the Bell Helicopter Training Academy in Fort Worth, TX, USA. The award includes ground and some flight training. Requirements: The applicant must be a member in good standing and must have been a member for no less than one year by the time she is awarded the scholarship (Feb. 2009).

American Eurocopter Flight Training Scholarship
This scholarship is sponsored by American Eurocopter, will give a Whirly-Girl the opportunity to attend an AS350 Turbine Transition Course at the American Eurocopter Factory School in Grand Prairie, TX, USA. Requirements: The applicant must be a member in good standing and must have been a member for no less than one year by the time she is awarded the scholarship (Feb. 2009).

Robinson Helicopter R22/R44Safety Course and R44 Scholarship
This scholarship, sponsored by Robinson Helicopter, provides a Whirly-Girl currently flying Robinsons the opportunity to attend the Safety Course and build R44 time. Robinson provides this 3-1/2 day course in Torrance, CA, USA, including 5 hours of R44 flight time. The course includes 2-1/2 days of classroom instruction, awareness training, SFAR 73, in the R22 and R44 helicopter systems. One day is devoted to maintenance, pre-flight inspections, and flying with an experienced RHC pilot. The course is open to any rated helicopter pilot who has at least 3 hours in the R22 or R44 helicopter. This course is required by most insurance companies and serves as a CFI refresher. Requirements: The applicant must be a member in good standing and must have been a member for no less than one year by the time she is awarded the scholarship (Feb. 2009).

Flight Safety International Instrument Refresher Course Scholarship
Sponsored by Flight Safety International, this scholarship is awarded to a Whirly-Girl who possesses a Helicopter Instrument Rating. Flight Safety is offering this course to a career minded individual who is seeking employment or has a position that requires an instrument rating for which an instrument recurrent check ride is a plus for the pilot position. The course consists of 12 hours of academic training and 6 hours of simulator instruction in a multi-engine( Bell 212, 222, 230, 412, and S-76). This four day course can be conducted either in Hurst, TX, USA or West Palm Beach, FL. USA Requirements: The applicant must be a member in good standing and must have been a member for no less than one year by the time she is awarded the scholarship (Feb. 2009).

Whirly-Girls Memorial Flight Training Scholarship
This new scholarship is provided by the WGSF, Inc, and now combines the Phelan International and Doris Mullen Flight Training Scholarships. This scholarship provides $6,000. and is given in memory of our founder, Jean, and her husband Jim Phelan, along with the memory of Doris Mullen who lost her life in a Fixed Wing accident in 1968. This scholarship provides ANY Whirly Girl a chance to UPGRADE her current rating. (typically toward Commercial, Instrument, Instructor, ATP, Long Line or Turbine Transition Training to be added to her present helicopter ratings.) Requirements: The applicant must be a member in good standing and must have been a member for no less than one year by the time she is awarded the scholarship (Feb. 2009). Also, proof of foreign citizenship if training in the US.

Northeast Helicopters Flight Services, LLC. Scholarship
This scholarship is for up to $4,000 in flight training. It may be used for re-currency, to gain additional flight time to meet insurance requirements, or an advanced helicopter rating in the R22. The applicant should be pursuing a career as a professional helicopter pilot. This scholarship is provided through the generosity of John and Rhonda Boulette of Northeast Helicopters Flight Services, LLC, in Ellington, Conn., USA. Requirements: The applicant must be a member in good standing and must have been a member for no less than one year by the time she is awarded the scholarship (Feb 2009)

Scholarships Application Rules:

Applications must include all of the following:

Congratulations to the 2008 Whirly-Girls Scholarships Winners:

 
 

2008 Whirly-Girls Helicopter Flight Training Scholarship
Future WG NIKI MONDEK, U.S.A.

2008 Whirly-Girls Memorial Helicopter Flight Training Scholarship
WG# 1385 KAT NESBIT, U.S.A.

2008 Bell Helicopter Scholarship
WG# 1371 SARAH MURPHY, U.S.A.

2008 American Eurocopter Flight Training Scholarship
WG# 1398 KATHERINE WINDER, U.S.A.

2008 Robinson Safety Course Scholarship
WG# 1307 BETTINA SCHLEIDT, Germany.

2008 Flight Safety International Instrument Refresher Course Scholarship
WG# 1070 JANIE FOSTER, U.S.A.

2007 HSI Helicopter Services Inc Scholarship
WG# 1319 Shelley Sailer, U.S.A.

2008 Northeast Helicopters Flight Services, LLC
WG# 346 JUDITH STANTON, U.S.A.

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(Updated: 12/27/07)