Whirly-Girls opens 2026 scholarship season with expanded opportunities

The Whirly-Girls Scholarship Fund has officially opened applications for its 2026 scholarship season, offering a record number of opportunities for female helicopter pilots and maintainers worldwide.

Over recent years, the nonprofit organization has significantly expanded its reach, awarding more than US$550,000 in scholarships for flight training, maintenance programs, and educational development. These initiatives aim to strengthen the rotorcraft talent pool and promote diversity in an industry where women still make up fewer than 6% of pilots globally.

Scholarship applications are now available at whirlygirls.org/scholarships-donate/ and must be submitted by 1 October 2025. The awards will be presented on 8 March 2026 at the Annual Whirly-Girls Gala during VERTICON in Atlanta, Georgia.

This year’s program features a strong line-up of returning sponsors, including Bristow, CAE, Coptersafety, FlightSafety International, Garmin, Leonardo Helicopters, MD Helicopters, and PHI Aviation, alongside several private donors. New sponsors include Precision and Pureflight Aviation Training, Rogue Aviation, and a potential opportunity from PHI for members in the Asia-Pacific region.

Scholarships cater to a wide range of applicants – from newly certificated pilots to those pursuing advanced qualifications such as turbine transitions, airline transport pilot (ATP) licenses, or specialized training. Notably, Whirly-Girls has expanded its maintenance offerings, providing awards for licensed technicians and those still working toward certification.

Last year, Coptersafety announced it would be sponsoring a pilot training scholarship with Whirly-Girls International.