HAI Scholarships

The Bill Sanderson AMT Scholarship

The Bill Sanderson AMT Scholarship provides full tuition to complete a maintenance course from a selection of courses offered by various airframe and power plant manufacturers. The award includes a monetary stipend of US$500 to US$1,600 to assist with travel, lodging, and food. Up to six scholarships may be awarded annually.

Scholarship Award Manufacturers and Benefits

The Bill Sanderson scholarship awards full tuition to complete an AMT course offered by the following manufacturers:

• AgustaWestland
• Airbus
• MD Helicopters
• Pratt & Whitney
• Rolls-Royce
• Safran Helicopter Engines.

In addition, scholarship recipients receive:

• A complimentary one-year membership in HAI, the trade association for the international helicopter industry
• A complimentary full registration for the scholarship recipient and a guest to HAI HELI-EXPO 2022 (hotel and travel expenses are the responsibility of the scholarship winner and guest)
• A subscription to ROTOR magazine and ROTOR Daily.

Scholarship Prerequisites

• The candidate must be about to graduate from an FAA-approved Part 147 aviation maintenance technician school or be a recent recipient (within the past two years) of an airframe and power plant (A&P) certificate
• If a non-US citizen, the candidate must have his or her respective country’s FAA-equivalent tests completed and provide proof of international citizenship.

How to Apply

Scholarship applications are due by midnight eastern time (UTC-5), Dec. 3, 2021. Please ensure that all portions of the application are completed; only complete applications that are accompanied by all required supporting documentation will be considered.

In addition to your completed application, please submit the following documents:

• A resume
• Two letters of recommendation
• One from the applicant’s flight school program director, administrator, or instructor
• One from the applicant’s employer, instructor, or other who can attest to the applicant’s aviation background, training, and experience.

Scholarship winners are chosen by the HAI Technical and Maintenance Working Group. HAI will notify all applicants of their status.

Questions? Contact education@rotor.org.

Commercial Helicopter Pilot Rating Scholarship

The HAI Commercial Helicopter Pilot Rating Scholarship is awarded each year to pilots who have their private licenses and are in the process of attaining a commercial helicopter rating. Up to four scholarships may be awarded annually.

Scholarship Benefits

The scholarship awards US$5,000 toward the cost of obtaining a commercial helicopter rating. In addition, scholarship recipients receive:

• A complimentary one-year membership in HAI, the trade association for the international helicopter industry
• A complimentary full registration for the scholarship recipient and a guest to HAI HELI-EXPO 2022 (hotel and travel expenses are the responsibility of the scholarship winner and guest)
• A subscription to ROTOR magazine and ROTOR Daily.

Scholarship winners have one year from the date of their award to complete their training and receive their commercial helicopter rating. Scholarship awards that haven’t been claimed in that time will be considered void.

Payment of the scholarship award is conditional on receipt of supporting documentation from the student’s school stating that the student has successfully completed the required coursework and has received an FAA or international-equivalent rating. If the school hasn’t been compensated by the student, HAI will make a payment to the institution on behalf of the student. Scholarship payments are for tuition and training only, up to the maximum limit of the scholarship awarded.

Scholarship Prerequisites

Applicants must be enrolled in a flight training program at an FAA-approved Part 141 school or international equivalent. Applicants must also hold at least a second-class or international-equivalent medical certificate. Applicants who expect to receive their commercial ratings prior to Jan. 1, 2022, are not eligible to apply for this award.

How to Apply

Scholarship applications and supporting documents are due by midnight eastern time (UTC-5), Dec. 3, 2021. Please ensure that all portions are completed; only complete applications that are accompanied by all required supporting documentation will be considered.

In addition to your completed application, please submit the following documents:

• A resume
• Airman certificates, if applicable (provide legible copies, front and back, of all FAA or international-equivalent certificates)
• A copy of the last page of the applicant’s pilot logbook
• A copy of the applicant’s class and date of his or her medical certificate (minimum second class or international equivalent)
• Proof of the status of the applicant’s flight school as an FAA-certified Part 141 facility or international-equivalent flight training program
• Two signed letters of recommendation
• One from the applicant’s flight school program director, administrator, or instructor
• One from the applicant’s employer, instructor, or other who can attest to the applicant’s aviation background, training, and experience.

Scholarship winners are chosen by the HAI Scholarship Review Committee. HAI will notify all applicants of their status..

Questions? Contact education@rotor.org.

Maintenance Technician Certificate Scholarship

The HAI Maintenance Technician Certificate Scholarship is awarded each year to up to six students studying to become aviation maintenance technicians.

Scholarship Award

The scholarship awards US$2,500 toward the cost of obtaining your aviation maintenance certificate. In addition, scholarship recipients receive:

• A complimentary one-year membership in HAI, the trade association for the international helicopter industry
• A complimentary full registration for the scholarship recipient and a guest to HAI HELI-EXPO 2022 (hotel and travel expenses are the responsibility of the scholarship winner and guest)
• A subscription to ROTOR magazine and ROTOR Daily.

Scholarship winners have 19 months from the date of their award to complete their training and receive their maintenance technician certificate. Scholarship awards that haven’t been claimed in that time will be considered void.

Payment of the scholarship award is conditional on receipt of supporting documentation from the student’s school stating that the student has successfully completed the required coursework and has been licensed and received an FAA or international-equivalent certificate. If the school hasn’t been compensated by the student, HAI will make payment to the institution on behalf of the student. Scholarship payments are for tuition and training only, up to the maximum limit of the scholarship awarded.

Scholarship Prerequisites

Applicants must be enrolled in a maintenance technician certificate program at an FAA-approved Part 147 school or international equivalent. Applicants who expect to receive their maintenance technician certificates prior to Jan. 1, 2022, aren’t eligible to apply for this award.

How to Apply

Scholarship applications are due by midnight eastern time (UTC-5), Dec. 3, 2021. Please ensure that all portions of the application are completed; only complete applications that are accompanied by all required supporting documentation will be considered.

In addition to your completed application, you will need to submit the following documents:

• A resume
• Airman certificates, if applicable
• Proof of your maintenance school’s status as an FAA-certified Part 147 facility or international-equivalent aviation maintenance technician (AMT) training program
• Two signed letters of recommendation
• one from your AMT program director, administrator, or instructor
• one from an employer, instructor, or other person who can attest to your aviation background, training, and experience.

Scholarship winners are chosen by the HAI Scholarship Review Committee. HAI will notify all applicants of their status.

Questions? Contact education@rotor.org.

Michelle North Scholarship for Safety

The Michelle North Scholarship for Safety is awarded to a pilot who has already attained a commercial rating and who demonstrates an outstanding aptitude for safe flying and aviation best practices. The scholarship was founded in memory of Michelle North, a longtime industry advocate of safety, to encourage a stronger focus on safety education and training in helicopter operations. One scholarship may be awarded annually.

Scholarship Award

The scholarship pays the registration fee for the recipient to attend a safety management system (SMS) course, which will be part of the HAI Professional Education Program at HAI HELI-EXPO 2022, in Dallas, Texas, March 7–10, 2022.

In addition, scholarship recipients receive:

• A complimentary one-year membership in HAI, the trade association for the international helicopter industry
• A complimentary full registration for the scholarship recipient and a guest to HAI HELI-EXPO 2022 (hotel and travel expenses are the responsibility of the scholarship winner and guest)
• A subscription to ROTOR magazine and ROTOR Daily.

Scholarship Prerequisites

The applicant must be a pilot who holds an FAA commercial helicopter rating or an international-equivalent rating. Applicants must already be working in the helicopter industry, either in the safety or safety management field, or be preparing to enter the safety or safety management field.

How to Apply

Scholarship applications are due by midnight eastern time (UTC-5) Dec. 3, 2021. Please ensure that all portions are completed; only complete applications that are accompanied by all required supporting documentation will be considered.

In addition to your completed application, you will need to submit the following documents:

• A resume
• Two letters of recommendation
• One from the applicant’s flight school program director, administrator, or instructor
• One from the applicant’s employer, instructor, or other who can attest to the applicant’s aviation background, training, and experience.

Scholarship winners are chosen by the HAI Scholarship Review Committee. HAI will notify all applicants of their status.

Questions? Contact education@rotor.org.

Women in Aviation International (WAI) Maintenance Technician Certificate Scholarship

The WAI Maintenance Technician Certificate Scholarship is awarded to one student studying to become an aviation maintenance technician.

Scholarship Award

The scholarship awards US$2,500 toward the cost of obtaining an aviation maintenance certificate. In addition, the scholarship recipient receives:

• A complimentary one-year membership in Helicopter Association International (HAI), the trade association for the international helicopter industry
• A complimentary full registration for the scholarship recipient and a guest to HAI HELI-EXPO 2022 (hotel and travel expenses are the responsibility of the scholarship winner and guest)
• A subscription to ROTOR magazine and ROTOR Daily.

WAI scholarship winners have 19 months from the date of the award to complete training and receive their maintenance technician certificate. Scholarship awards that haven’t been claimed within that time will be considered void.

Payment of the scholarship award is conditional on receipt of supporting documentation from the student’s school stating that the student has successfully completed the required coursework; has been licensed; and has received an FAA or international-equivalent certificate. If the school hasn’t been compensated by the student, the HAI Foundation will make payment to the institution on the student’s behalf. Scholarship payments are for tuition and training only, up to the maximum limit of the scholarship awarded.

Scholarship Prerequisites

Applicants must be enrolled in a maintenance technician certificate program at an FAA-approved Part 147 school or international equivalent. Applicants who expect to receive their maintenance technician certificates prior to Jan. 1, 2022, are ineligible to apply for this award.

How to Apply

Scholarship applications will be accepted beginning August 30, 2021. At that time, click here to submit your application and any supporting documents. Applications are due by midnight eastern time (UTC-5) Dec. 3, 2021. Please ensure that all portions of the application are completed; only complete applications accompanied by all required supporting documentation will be considered.

In addition to your completed application, you will need to submit the following documents:

• Your resume
• Airman certificates, if applicable
• Certification of your maintenance school’s status as an FAA-certified Part 147 facility or international-equivalent AMT training program
• Two signed letters of recommendation: one from your AMT program director, administrator, or instructor, and one from an employer, instructor, or other person who can attest to your aviation background, training, and experience.

Scholarship winners are chosen by the HAI Scholarship Review Committee. HAI Education staff will notify all applicants of their status. 

Questions? Contact education@rotor.org.

Women in Aviation International (WAI) Commercial Helicopter Pilot Rating Scholarship

The WAI Commercial Helicopter Pilot Rating Scholarship is awarded to one pilot who has their private license and are in the process of attaining a commercial helicopter rating.

Scholarship Benefits

The scholarship awards US$2,500 toward the cost of obtaining a commercial helicopter rating. In addition, scholarship recipients receive:

• A complimentary one-year membership in HAI, the trade association for the international helicopter industry
• A complimentary full registration for the scholarship recipient and a guest to HAI HELI-EXPO 2022 (hotel and travel expenses are the responsibility of the scholarship winner and guest)
• A subscription to ROTOR magazine and ROTOR Daily.

The Scholarship recipient has one year from the date of their award to complete their training and receive their commercial helicopter rating. If the scholarship award hasn’t been claimed in that time, it will be considered void.

Payment of the scholarship award is conditional on receipt of supporting documentation from the student’s school stating that the student has successfully completed the required coursework and has received an FAA or international-equivalent rating. If the school hasn’t been compensated by the student, WAI will make a payment to the institution on behalf of the student. Scholarship payments are for tuition and training only, up to the maximum limit of the scholarship awarded.

Scholarship Prerequisites

Applicants must be enrolled in a flight training program at an FAA-approved Part 141 school or international equivalent. Applicants must also hold at least a second-class or international-equivalent medical certificate. Applicants who expect to receive their commercial ratings prior to Jan. 1, 2022, are not eligible to apply for this award.

How to Apply

Scholarship applications and supporting documents are due by midnight eastern time (UTC-5), Dec. 3, 2021. Please ensure that all portions are completed; only complete applications that are accompanied by all required supporting documentation will be considered.

In addition to your completed application, please submit the following documents:

• A resume
• Airman certificates, if applicable (provide legible copies, front and back, of all FAA or international-equivalent certificates)
• A copy of the last page of the applicant’s pilot logbook
• A copy of the applicant’s class and date of his or her medical certificate (minimum second class or international equivalent)
• Proof of the status of the applicant’s flight school as an FAA-certified Part 141 facility or international-equivalent flight training program
• Two signed letters of recommendation
• One from the applicant’s flight school program director, administrator, or instructor
• One from the applicant’s employer, instructor, or other who can attest to the applicant’s aviation background, training, and experience.

The scholarship winner is chosen by the HAI Scholarship Review Committee. HAI will notify all applicants of their status.

Questions? Contact education@rotor.org.

Southern Utah University (SUU) Rotor Aviation Scholarship

The SUU Rotor Aviation Scholarship is awarded each year to up to three students.  The award covers one semester and can be used for any of the following flight labs:

• PILT 2205: RW Cross Country Lab, aircraft: Robinson Cadet
• PILT 2245: RW Commercial Cert Lab, aircraft: Robinson Cadet
• PILT 2215: Instrument Commercial RW Lab A1, aircraft: Robinson Cadet
• PILT 2275: Instrument Commercial RW Lab B1, aircraft: Robinson Cadet
• PILT 1315: RW Instrument Cert Lab, aircraft: Robinson R44.

In no event will the amount of any single scholarship exceed US$20,000.

Each scholarship may be used in only one semester.

SUU will deposit scholarship funds directly into the student recipient’s SUU account and apply them to the appropriate semester’s charges.

Scholarship Award

In addition, the scholarship recipient receives:

• A complimentary one-year membership in HAI
• A complimentary ticket for the recipient and one guest to attend HAI HELI-EXPO 2022 or HAI HELI-EXPO 2023 (the ticket includes admission to the show only; travel, hotel, meal, and other expenses are the responsibility of the recipient and guest)
• A complimentary subscription to ROTOR magazine and ROTOR Daily.

How to Apply

Scholarship applications will be accepted beginning August 30, 2021. At that time, click here to submit your application and any supporting documents. Applications are due by midnight eastern time (UTC-5) Dec. 3, 2021. Please ensure that all portions of the application are completed; only complete applications accompanied by all required supporting documentation will be considered.

In addition to your completed application, you will need to submit the following documents:

• A resume
• Airman certificates, if applicable
• A copy of the last page of your pilot logbook and the class and date of your medical certificate
• Proof of your flight school’s status as an FAA-certified Part 141 facility or international-equivalent flight training program
• Two signed letters of recommendation
• one from your flight school program director, administrator, or instructor
• one from an employer, instructor, or other person who can attest to your aviation background, training, and experience.

Scholarship winners are chosen by the HAI Scholarship Review Committee. HAI will notify all applicants of their status.

Questions? Contact education@rotor.org.