Expert: D. Norkus - 10/8/2010

Question
I am a 23 year old single mother living in Hawaii, with a dream of becoming a helicopter pilot. I am having a very difficult time finding scholarships or financial assistance with this specific training. Do you know where I might be able to find some help? Where can I look? How do I start?

Answer
Although I am a fixed wing pilot, I can tell you that both the Whirly Girls and Ninety-Nines have flight scholarship programs that may help you. The Whirly Girls are specifically female helicopter pilots while the Ninety-Nines are for all female pilots no matter what they fly.

Generally speaking, most scholarship benefactors want to see some accomplishment before they will award one a scholarship. This way they know the applicant is determined and can get somewhere on their own- they just need help to go farther and do so faster. This often means a solo endorsement or even a private certificate to qualify. Go to the websites of the organizations I mentioned above for details on their awards:

http://www.whirlygirls.org
http://www.ninety-nines.org

I suggest joining the Aloha chapter of the Ninety-nines as well.

In addition, Women In Aviation International may be of interest- http://www.wai.org

As far as getting started with helicopter flying, I am a fixed wing airline pilot, so I can't personally tell you about that. I suggest
the forums at http://www.verticalreference.com or if you are near Hilo, contact a gal I know Ninety-Nines member Joyce at Paradise Helicopters for advice.

Good Luck!