Rotor Helicopter Association VAI Commercial Helicopter Pilot Rating Scholarship 2024.

VAI is now accepting applications for its 2025 Scholarship program. With multiple scholarships to award, we are here to help you get the education you need for your career.

The Rotor Helicopter Association (RHA) offers various scholarships to support aspiring helicopter pilots and maintenance technicians. These scholarships cover full tuition, provide cash stipends, and include VIP access to the VERTICON event.

Aviation Maintenance Technology
Commercial Helicopter Pilot Training
Helicopter Maintenance Specialization
Safety in Helicopter Operations

Benefits

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

A complimentary full registration to VERTICON (formerly HAI HELI-EXPO) in Dallas, Texas, for the scholarship recipient and a guest (hotel and travel expenses are the responsibility of the scholarship winner and guest).

Requirements

Applicants must be a member of VAI. Join now.
Applicants must have a private helicopter license.
Applicants must be enrolled in a commercial helicopter pilot rating 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.
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, VAI will make a payment to the institution on behalf of the student. Scholarship payments are for tuition and training only.
Applicants who expect to receive their commercial ratings before Jan. 1, 2025, are not eligible to apply for this award.

Selection Process

Applicants are selected based on their passion for helicopters, proof of current skills and training, enrollment in an approved aviation program, and meeting specific scholarship requirements.

Application Documents

Resume or Curriculum Vitae
Airman Certificates – Provide legible copies, front and back, of all FAA or international-equivalent certificates
Copy of the last page of your pilot logbook
Copy of your medical certificate, including class and date
Proof of Enrollment – Provide a letter from your FAA-Approved Part 141 School or International Equivalent’s aviation school acknowledging your enrollment. Letter must include:
- Representative’s Name
- Title and Organization
- Mailing Address, Telephone, and Email
- FAA Part 141 Certificate Number
- If international, please provide your country’s FAA-equivalent information.
2 Letters of Recommendation
- One from your flight school’s Program Director, Administrator, or Instructor with:
- Recommender’s name, title, organization, mailing address, telephone, and email
- Length of time recommender has known applicant
- Recommender’s comments on applicant’s attitude, integrity, and motivation.
One from your employer, instructor, or other individual who can attest to your aviation background, training, and experience with:
- Recommender’s name, title, organization, mailing address, telephone, and email
- Length of time recommender has known applicant
- Recommender’s comments on applicant’s attitude, integrity, and motivation.