USA – The Whirly-Girls Scholarship Fund, Inc., the nonprofit dedicated to advancing women in helicopter aviation, has officially opened its 2026 scholarship season, offering a record number of training opportunities for women worldwide.

• A total of 25 distinct scholarships, valued at over USD 550,000, are available this year for 48 women across pilot and maintenance pathways.

• Applicants must submit their materials by 1 October 2025, and successful candidates will be honoured on 8 March 2026 at the Whirly-Girls Gala during VERTICON in Atlanta, Georgia.

• The program continues to empower both newly certificated pilots and those pursuing advanced qualifications—such as turbine transitions, airline transport pilot (ATP) licenses—and broadens support for maintainers, including both licensed technicians and applicants working toward certification.

• Esteemed returning sponsors this year include Bristow, CAE, Coptersafety, FlightSafety International, Garmin, Leonardo Helicopters, MD Helicopters, PHI Aviation, and others. New additions comprise Precision & Pureflight Aviation Training, Rogue Aviation, and a prospective opportunity from PHI for Asia-Pacific members.

• These scholarships aim to diversify the rotorcraft workforce in an industry where women still represent fewer than 6% of pilots internationally.

Source: Whirly-Girls