PORTLAND, Ore. — Erickson Air-Crane has committed to a $6,000 annual scholarship through the Whirly-Girls International.
The annual scholarship will fund a full External Load/Vertical Reference Course at Western Helicopters in Rialto, Calif. The course includes ground instruction and up to 6.5 hours of external load training in an MD500 helicopter.
“We are committed to more diversity in aviation and supporting a quality organization like the Whirly-Girls is a great way for Erickson to help,” said Erickson President Udo Reider.
Available to Whirly-Girls in good standing, the first Erickson-supported scholarship will be awarded in 2014. Whirly-Girls can apply for the scholarship through an application process that takes place each fall.
“We are ecstatic about Erickson’s commitment to diversity and commend them for supporting women in the helicopter industry, helping us achieve higher levels of safety and professionalism through this incredibly valuable training course,” said Whirly-Girl President Laura McColm.
Whirly-Girls International is a non-profit, educational, and charitable organization dedicated to advancing women in helicopter aviation. Special projects include providing scholarships to help women helicopter pilots achieve their aviation goals. Currently the organization offers nine scholarships totally more than $45,000.
Formed in 1955 by Jean Ross Howard Phelan, today the association numbers more than 1,780 members from 42 countries.
For more information: WhirlyGirls.org