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IMPORTANT NOTICE:  Application period for SOME professional scholarships has been extended. 

See details below.

Helicopter Foundation International has long recognized the need for qualified commercial helicopter pilots and helicopter maintenance technicians.  Over the last several years, the shortage has become real.   Many of our experienced pilots and maintenance technicians are nearing retirement age, the war has pulled experienced personnel from our ranks at a time when the helicopter industry is enjoying growth due in part to the wider recognition of the tremendous versatility of this phenomenal and versatile machine.

As the aircraft industry enters into an ever-increasing array of endeavors that have become ever more sophisticated, the requirement for highly skilled pilots and maintenance technicians becomes more and more critical.

HFI is offering an array of scholarships to answer the need for both qualified helicopter pilots and maintenance technicians, and to provide further training for Safety Managers and other professionals in the Safety field. 

The application period for Commercial Helicopter Pilot and Maintenance Technician Scholarships is now closed. 

The new application period will commence on or about July 15, 2010.

The application period for SOME professional scholarships has been extended.  See details below.

HFI Commercial Helicopter Rating Scholarships  Application Period Closed

HFI Maintenance Technician Certificate Scholarship Application Period Closed



Baines Simmons Americas Education Scholarships: Application Period Extended to January 14, 2010

For the Helicopter Professional already or about to enter the Safety Field, these courses have a per-day value of $450.   Courses were donated and will be conducted by Baines Simmons Americas and typically offered at the FlightSafety International Training Center in Lafayette, Louisiana.  Students will be responsible for all attendant expenses such as transportation, housing, meals, etc. 

Safety Management Systems (SMS) for Leaders Application Period Extended to January 14
(1-day) A management course designed to equip leaders to understand the compliance issues surrounding recent SMS regulations, gain latest thinking in building and integrating an effective SMS, enhance understanding of the business advantages of having an effective SMS and to to develop an action plan for introducing an effective SMS.

Introduction to Safety Management Systems (SMS)  Application Period Extended to January 14

(3-days) – Designed to equip personnel with the competencies necessary to construct and administer their organization's SMS in accordance with international standards

Effective Event Investigation (EEI)  Application Period Extended to January 14

(3 days) – Designed to provide an organization with trained event investigators to support the development and sustainment of an SMS. 

Each winner will be given one full registration to HELI-EXPO 2010 in Houston, Texas including a ticket to the  Salute to Excellence Awards Banquet at HELI-EXPO (courtesy of Helicopter Association International).

Course will be conducted by Baines Simmons Americas and typically offered at the FlightSafety International Training Center in Lafayette, Louisiana.  Students will be responsible for all attendant expenses such as transportation, housing, meals, etc. 

For more information, call Libby Meade at 703-360-1521 or email at libby.meade@rotor.com

Michelle North Scholarship for Safety   Application Period Extended to January 14

HFI is pleased to offer this Scholarship in memory of Michelle North, a well-known helicopter safety expert and educator.  Michelle was a Member of HAI's Safety Committee for many years and also served as its Chairman.

HFI will offer one scholarship consisting of full tuition plus travel expenses not to exceed $3,000 to HFI's Safety Management Course offered at HAI's annual HELI-EXPO.  The next HELI-EXPO is scheduled for February 21-23, 2009 in Houston, Texas.  The HFI Safety Management Course is scheduled prior to the opening day of each HELI-EXPO.  Watch this website for specific scheduling information. Travel expenses must be documented and submitted to Helicopter Foundation International (Attention:  Libby Meade) no later than two weeks following the close of HELI-EXPO.

Qualifications:

  • Candidate must be employed in the helicopter industry either in the Safety or Safety Management Field, or if in a position other than the Safety or Safety Management field, already preparing to enter the Safety or Safety Management field and submit the following: 
  • Completed application 
  • Current resume
  • Summary of career plans
  • Two letters of recommendation from employer or other helicopter professional
  • Clear copy of any and all FAA or international equivalent certificate(s)

Summary statement by candidate of 350 to 500 words, attesting to how candidate would benefit from the Safety Management course and how candidate would use the knowledge gained to enhance safety at candidate's organization. 

For more information, call Libby Meade at 703-360-1521 or email at libby.meade@rotor.com

Bill Sanderson Aviation Maintenance Technician (AMT) Scholarship   -- Application Period Closed

Helicopter Foundation International (HFI) is pleased to announce the 2010 Bill Sanderson Aviation Maintenance Technician (AMT) Scholarship Award Program. This program was founded by Helicopters Association International’s (HAI) Technical Committee to promote the choice of helicopter maintenance as a career.
Applicants should be about to graduate from an FAA approved Part 147 AMT School, or a recent recipient (within the last two years) of an Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) Certificate.  All FAA written and practical exams must be successfully completed prior to attending the chosen school (not necessarily prior to applying for the scholarship).  International applicants should have their respective country’s FAA equivalent tests completed.
Each of the winners will have a choice of one of the following courses made available by the helicopter airframe and engine manufacturers. Applicants should list courses in order of preference, as courses will be awarded by preference, in order of award placement.

  • Agusta Aerospace Corporation (A109 series)
  • Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc. (any model)
  • Eurocopter  (except Super Puma)
  • MD Helicopters (500/600/900 series)
  • Pratt & Whitney Canada, Inc.    (PT6T, PT6B- 36/-37 or PW-206 engines)
  • Rolls Royce (250 engine - any model)
  • Turbomeca (Arriel 1 & 2 series and Arrius 2 series engines)
  • Schweizer (269C-C-1), (300C/300CBI)  (This is  a ten day course)

The first place winner will be awarded $1,600 from HAI to assist with expenses. Those finishing in second, third, fourth and fifth place will receive $1,150, $850, $750 and $650, respectively, for assistance with expenses.  Sixth through eighth place winners will be offered one of the remaining courses without monetary assistance. All winners receive a one-year membership to HAI and free admission to HELI-EXPO 2010, February 20-23, held in Houston, Texas.
Please fill out the enclosed 2010 Bill Sanderson Aviation Maintenance Technician Scholarship application form, ensuring that all portions are completed. There are two parts to the application. PART I is to be completed by the applicant. PART II is to be completed by the AMT Program Director, Administrator or Instructor. If additional space is needed for any part of the application, separate sheets may be attached.  Ask your director for the opportunity to view “Careers in Helicopters Maintenance” DVD. The application forms and more information can be found on our website www.rotor.com.  Applications must be typed or printed.  Upon completion, applications may be faxed to (703) 683-4745 or mailed to:
2010 Bill Sanderson Aviation Maintenance
Technician Scholarship Program                               
Helicopter Foundation International
1635 Prince Street
Alexandria, Virginia 22314-2818
Applications must be postmarked no later than November 30, 2009. The winners will be announced prior to Helicopters Association International’s Technical Committee meeting held in conjunction with HELI-EXPO 2010.  Winners are invited and encouraged to attend, at which time they will be introduced to the committee.
Questions concerning the scholarship program should be directed to: Harold Summers (harold.summers@rotor.com) or Jose Orozco (jose.orozco@rotor.com) at (703) 683-4646.



GENERAL INFORMATION

  • All scholarship winners will be selected by the respective Scholarship Selection Committee appointed by the HFI Board of Directors.
  • Only applicants who meet the minimum qualifications, as determined by the HFI Scholarship Selection Committees, will be considered.
  • Where appropriate, scholarships must be initiated within the time period specified in the application.  Any unused scholarship money must be returned to HFI.
  • Where applicable, scholarship money will be paid directly to the school. 

WHERE INDICATED ONLY:  To enhance the value of the scholarships by providing an opportunity to network with top helicopter professionals from around the world, Helicopter Association International (HAI) has offered to donate a complimentary full registration to HELI-EXPO for each scholarship winner and guest, including dinner for two at the HAI Salute to Excellence Awards Banquet.
Except for the Michelle North Scholarship, scholarship winners are responsible for their own transportation and housing expenses associated with attendance at HELI-EXPO.

For more information, contact:

Elizabeth "Libby" Meade
Helicopter Foundation International
1635 Prince Street
Alexandria, Virginia 22314
Phone:  703-360-1521
Fax:  703-341-6454
email:  libby.meade@rotor.com

For information on the Bill Sanderson Scholarships, contact:

Harold Summers
Director of Heliports and Technical Programs
Helicopter Association International
Phone:  703-683-4646
email:  harold.summers@rotor.com