Helicopter Foundation International (HFI) has announced the 18 recipients of scholarships for 2018. Available to aviation students around the world, these scholarships support HFI’s long-standing mission to educate the next generation of helicopter industry professionals.
This year’s awards include six scholarships for students in helicopter maintenance technician programs, four scholarships for pilots working toward earning their commercial helicopter ratings, one for safety professionals, and seven for established maintenance professionals seeking training for specific helicopters or components.
“We are aware of the financial commitment undertaken by students in our profession,” said Allison McKay, vice president of HFI. “Through our scholarship program, we help to offset this burden and allow the students to focus on continuing their education. We offer our congratulations to this year’s recipients.”
HFI funds these scholarships — this year worth approximately $30,000 — through donations, auctions, and other fundraising events. As a nonprofit foundation, HFI also supports helicopter safety programs and the preservation of the history of the helicopter industry.
Each year, HFI presents four $5,000 scholarships to pilots working toward earning their commercial helicopter rating so that they may pursue employment as a helicopter pilot. This year’s recipients are Carl Bloecher of Arlington, Virginia; Bastian Ebersbach of Hillsboro, Oregon; Troy Goldberg of Kailua-Kona, Hawaii; and Rebecca Voltin of Lyons, Oregon.
Additionally, HFI awards up to six $2,500 scholarships for students in maintenance technician programs. This year, HFI awarded the scholarships to Isiah Crawford of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina; Derek Galla of Holland, Ohio; Kristie McLean of Las Vegas, Nevada; Austin Rowles of Forth Worth, Texas; Michael Strickland of Carmanville, Newfoundland; and Matthew Vig of Opal, South Dakota.
HFI offers the Michelle North Scholarship for Safety, awarded this year to Michelle Payne of Pompano Beach, Florida. North is a past chairman of Helicopter Association International’s (HAI) Safety Committee, an educator, and an industry-recognized helicopter safety expert and advocate. This scholarship provides the recipient with full tuition to the HFI Safety Management program at HAI Heli-Expo.
HFI also oversees the Bill Sanderson Aviation Maintenance Scholarships, administering the program on behalf of HAI’s Technical Committee. Offered in conjunction with airframe, engine, and avionics manufacturers, recipients use the scholarships to attend airframe- or equipment-specific training courses with stipends of up to $1,600.
Manufacturers participating in the program for 2018 include Airbus, Honeywell, Leonardo, MD Helicopters, Pratt and Whitney, Rolls-Royce, and Safran Turbomeca.
Recipients of the scholarships and stipends this year include: Samuel Pham of Camp Hill, Pennsylvania (Airbus); Christoper Carreiro of Lyndhurst, New Jersey (Leonardo); Douglas Sena of Wyoming, Ohio (MD Helicopters); Corey Oestreich of Helena, Montana (Safran Turbomeca); Myles Van Patten of Stettler, Alberta (Rolls-Royce); Dennis Sieczkowski of Springfield, Oregon (Honeywell); and Damimola Olawuyi of Emene, Enugu, Nigeria (Pratt and Whitney).
“We encourage students around the world to pursue their dreams of flying and maintaining helicopters,” added McKay. “The application process for the 2019 scholarships begins in September, and interested students can find more information at our website.”
