The Whirly-Girls Scholarship Fund, Inc. announces that six women have been chosen as recipients for the 2018 mid-year scholarships. Helicopter pilots Melissa Hanthorn, Samantha Hansen, Amy Hartt, Heather Dingman, Kelly Murphy, and Tosha Cypher each received a scholarship to attend one of three industry-leading conferences: The HeliSuccess Career Development Seminar, The CHC Safety & Quality Summit, or HAI HELI-EXPO.  Attendees at these conferences have the opportunity to expand their knowledge, strengthen their networks, and increase aviation safety.

CHC Helicopter and Collective Magazine generously sponsored two scholarships to the 2018 CHC Safety & Quality Summit in Dallas, Texas this October.  Independent judges chose Flight Instructor Samantha Hansen of Hawaii and Aviator Melissa Hanthorn of Missouri to receive these scholarships. Launched in 2004, the CHC Safety & Quality Summit is aimed at sharing education and best practices in aviation safety.  Both women will also participate in a Human Factors Safety Course following the conference.

Pilot Amy Hartt of Washington, Instructor Heather Dingman of Alaska, and Instructor Kelly Murphy of New York will be attending the 2-day HeliSuccess Career Development Seminar and Job Fair in Las Vegas, Nevada in November.  Their admission is sponsored by Rotocraft Pro Media Network. The HeliSuccess conference provides lower-time pilots, or those in a transition stage in their career, the opportunity for learning and networking and gives them inside information that can provide a competitive edge in the helicopter industry hiring process.  The HeliSuccess Job Fair, on the last day of the seminar, consistently results in the employment of dozens of helicopter pilots.

The fifth scholarship, The Whirly-Girls Jean Tinsley Memorial HELI-EXPO Scholarship, is awarded to Commercial Pilot Tosha Cypher of Alaska.  Provided by the Whirly-Girls Scholarship Fund, the Jean Tinsley estate, and HAI, Ms. Cypher will be attending the 2019 HAI HELI-EXPO in Atlanta, Georgia where she will have access to all Whirly-Girls Annual Meeting and Awards Banquet activities and one HAI professional education class of her choice.  This scholarship was founded in memory of Jean Tinsley, WG #118, who was a strong advocate of camaraderie and mentorship amongst female aviators.

Whirly-Girls Vice President – Scholarships, Alison Martin, explained, “Helping female aviators attend these conferences provides them with access to expertise and connections that may not be available in their current positions. This strengthens the entire industry by providing employers with a stronger talent pool and by increasing the diversity of commercial pilots.”

Whirly-Girls International is a non-profit, educational, and charitable organization dedicated to advancing women in the helicopter aviation industry.