2025 Whirly-Girls Scholarship Recipients
Recipients are listed in alphabetical order of scholarships received, with the Whirly-Girls scholarships listed first. Women who received more than one scholarship are listed with the first scholarship received alphabetically.
Whirly-Girls Initial/Add-On Flight Training Scholarship
Emily O'Hara, Associate Member
After an aerobatics joy flight and a Robinson R22 introductory flight in 2023, Emily took the leap and is currently studying to become a commercial helicopter pilot in Bankstown, NSW, Australia. She has completed approximately 25 hours of flight training in the Robinson R22 and plans to complete the final hours of licensure in the Robinson R44. Emily aims to work as a charter pilot before moving into an instructor role or EMS work. She is based in Sydney, Australia.
Whirly Girls Jean Tinsley Memorial Heli-Expo Scholarship
Marjolein Pawlus, WG#2579
Marjolein left a career in tech to follow her true dream of becoming a helicopter pilot. She moved to the small town of Palmer, Alaska in January 2024 to start her flight training at a female owned flight school. She is now a private pilot and is working on her instrument and commercial ratings. She plans to stay and teach after completing her training. Eventually Marjolein would love to try out utility flying in Alaska, a place she has fallen in love with. When not flying or studying, she can be found mountain biking, skiing, or at CrossFit.
Whirly-Girls Memorial Flight Training Scholarship
Kimberly Creighkett Gilpin, WG#2427
Kimberly C. Gilpin is known by most people as Creighkett (pronounced 'cricket'). She first learned to fly in a Schweizer helicopter at Snohomish Flying Service. Creighkett recently graduated from Treasure Valley Community College and Silverhawk Aviation Academy as a CFII with an AA degree in Aviation Technology flying R22's and R44's. She also is a co-founder of ‘JAG ’, or Juliets Aviatrix Group, a women's flying club at the Caldwell airport in Idaho. JAG promotes women in aviation and allows Creighkett to share her passion with other female fixed wing and helicopter pilots. She currently works as an on call pilot with Kenny Keller from Helicopter Online Ground School out of Warsaw, Indiana.
3G Getting Started with Helicopters Scholarship
Erin Walling, Associate Member
Erin earned her fixed-wing private license in January of 2024. She lives with her husband, exchange
student, and fur babies in rural Ohio. She recently completed her A&P sign off and is currently
studying for the FAA exams. Her long-term goal is to earn her CFI and A&P certificates and
open a general aviation shop with her husband in Dayton, Ohio She also looks forward to adding on her
rotor rating and giving back by offering flight training to help others reach their aviation dreams.
3G Getting Started with Helicopters Scholarship
Caira Zupo, Associate Member
Ciara Zupo is attending Benet Academy in Lisle, Illinois and is committed to playing soccer and furthering her education at the University of Dubuque in Iowa. Next fall as an incoming freshman, she will be majoring in Helicopter Flight Operations. She is extremely excited to continue her flight journey there! Her career aspiration is to become a helicopter pilot in the EMS field. She is beyond grateful for the 3-G Getting Started with Helicopters Scholarship and the opportunity and support that it will give her as she works her way towards her private pilot’s license.
3G Getting Started with Helicopters Scholarship
Kimberlee Coombs, Associate Member
Kimberlee’s first experience in aviation was an introductory flight with Civil Air Patrol when she was in high school. After winning a scholarship through the Air Force Junior ROTC, she went on to get her airplane private license. She was planning on moving forward with airplanes until she spent a summer in Alaska working as ground crew for a helicopter company. She fell in love and quickly changed her direction from fixed-wing to helicopters. She has recently started training at Silverhawk Aviation in Caldwell, Idaho. While working on her ratings, she dreams of fighting fire and flying heli-skiing trips in Alaska.
Airbus Helicopters North America/Helisim LLC AS350 Scenario-Based Training Course Scholarship
Lena Maier, WG#2071
Lena is an aeronautical engineer who realized her childhood dream of becoming a helicopter pilot in 2018 by earning extra money through her other big passion, playing the saxophone. In 2022, she added her commercial license in Switzerland, quit her engineering job and went straight into utility flying, conducting oil and gas pipeline surveillance flights all over Germany in a Robinson R44. To continue in utility work and on more types of operations, she received her H125 type rating in October 2024.
Airbus Helicopters North America/Helisim LLC AS350 Scenario-Based Training Course Scholarship AND Oregon Aero CRM/AMRM Instructor Training Scholarship
Munanie Mbatha, WG#2218
Munanie began her aviation career flying fixed-wing aircraft, accumulating over a decade of experience across more than 10 countries in Africa. She has since expanded her expertise to include helicopters and is currently flying the H125 in Kenya. Munanie served on the board of Whirly-Girls International, contributing to the organization's mission to support and inspire female helicopter pilots worldwide. She is also a board member of the Kenya Space Agency, where she actively contributes to the development of space science and technology in Africa.
Anastasia Mosquito Control District Ag Spray Scholarship
Corrina Gardner, WG#2384
Retiring after an extensive 26-year military career, Corrina began pursuing her dream of flying helicopters. Since November 2021 she has made her way through certifications becoming an instrument-rated commercial pilot and CFI, all in rotorcraft. Corrina has been flying professionally since April 2023 and has enjoyed working in the agriculture and utility industry. She will begin a full time position with Hawkeye Helicopters in 2025. Corrina is thankful for all the folks that stepped up and showed support of her goals. She understands very well the hurdles that can make this a challenging industry to break into and enjoys supporting and mentoring other women to help overcome them.
Anastasia Mosquito Control District Ag Spray Scholarship
Rachael Leeson, WG#2439
Rachael Leeson works for Alice Springs Helicopters currently flying the Bel 206 Jet Ranger in the Australian Outback in the Northen Territory. During the summer months she returns home to work for Paton Air helicopters in the Victorian High Country working support for the Victorian bushfire season and loading for aerial application. She started off her aviation career in 2019 with Paton Air Helicopters as ground crew, with the career progression from aerial application loader driver, to Agricultural Operations Manager, to pilot. Now flying in the tourism and charter industry at Alice Springs Helicopters, she will begin to move into Utility and Aerial Application work this year for both companies.
Bell 407 Field Maintenance Scholarship AND Bell 429 Integrated Avionics System Maintenance Scholarship
Faith Ortega, Associate Member
Faith began her helicopter maintenance career as an apprentice working on a Schweitzer 300, an R22, and a Bell 47 at a local shop in St. Louis, Missouri. She did this while enrolled at Southern Illinois University Carbondale where she was taking classes to obtain a bachelor’s degree in Aviation Technologies and studying for her A&P. After she had finished her studies, Faith entered the work force and began her career wrenching on a fleet of Bell helicopters used for electronic news gathering. From 2023 to today she has continued her journey into the HEMS industry by obtaining her IA and working as a field mechanic. Outside of her current role, Faith also maintains a retired OH-58 Kiowa and Th-67 Creek that she is also learning to fly.
Bell 407 Series Integrated Avionics System Maintenance Scholarship
Michelle Acosta, Associate Member
Michelle is a dedicated learner who was drawn to the challenge of learning machines and becoming an aircraft mechanic. She is a certified A&P Mechanic currently working as a Bell 407 field technician in Tuba City, Arizona, located in the Navajo Nation. Her base operates an average of 6-8 flight hours a day for EMS missions where she has the privilege of working with a team to service the nearby communities in need. She has been a mechanic for 4 years and started off working on Bell 206 and EC130 helicopters in the tour industry and then in general aviation in Torrance, California. Michelle is excited for this opportunity and is looking forward to getting more involved in the aviation community.
Bell 412 Series Field Maintenance Scholarship
Karen Prevette, Associate Member
Karen is an A&P and IA Mechanic with over 40+ years on helicopters only. She started in aviation in the U.S. Army in 1983, working on OH-58's, UH-I H's (Huey's) & AH-I H's (Cobra's). When she got out she continued working on military helicopters with Dyncorp and later with Bell Helicopter. She then worked with a mix of military and civilian helicopters at Bell, Edward's & Associates (now Bell-owned), Dallas PD, and Helicopter Express. Currently Karen works for Air Center Helicopters and is the Chief Quality Inspector for the 145 MRO. They operate Airbus EC225's (Super Pumas) and AS350's (Astars), Bell 412's and Bell 206 series aircraft. Karen also operates a small side business working on privately owned helicopters: Bells, Airbus & Schweizers. From a small child, her father taught her how to “mechanic,” and she has loved it ever since.
Bell 429 Field Maintenance Scholarship
Kaela Robertson, Associate Member
Kaela Robertson is an aircraft maintenance engineer from Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada. She is currently involved in maintaining light and intermediate turbine helicopters across the country. Her fascination with aircraft was passed down to her at an early age by her dad. With her family's support, she relocated to Ontario to attend the aviation maintenance program at Mohawk College, where she graduated with honors. Throughout her aviation career, Robertson has had the opportunity to live in various parts of Canada and travel extensively for work. She also enjoys traveling outside of work. Her long-term goal is to work internationally on helicopters that significantly impact areas such as offshore operations and search and rescue missions.
Bell 505 B1.3 Field Maintenance Scholarship AND Bell 505 B2 Integrated Avionics Maintenance Scholarship
Marie Jouan, Associate Member
Marie graduated from San Jose State University with a bachelor’s in aviation maintenance. She started her career in helicopter maintenance working for a tour operator in Hawaii. Continuing to expand her knowledge, she has worked on multiple platforms, including drones, in charter, firefighting, utility and ENG industries. She loves that her work allows her to travel all over the world.
Bell Training Academy Stewart "Stu" Dietrick Memorial Scholarship
Shauna Wild, WG#2418
Shauna started flying at the beginning of COVID and found aerial survey work in mining exploration in the remote Pilbara region of Western Australia. Once COVID came to a close, Shauna moved to the east coast to be closer to family and tried her hand at flying scenics. Now, Shauna is back in the Pilbara flying the AS350 during mining surveys and working closely with indigenous consultants and archaeologists in finding artefacts on desert country. She flies on an equal FIFO roster between the east and west so she has valuable time at home with family.
Bristow Group Initial Helicopter Flight Training Scholarship
Sara Lower, Associate Member
Sara embarked on her aviation journey in the world of fixed-wing flying, where her love for soaring through the skies took flight. Driven by this passion, she pursued aviation studies at Central Oregon Community College and later obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Operations Management from Oregon Institute of Technology. As she transitions into the rotor-wing aviation realm, Sara eagerly embraces the new challenges and growth opportunities that await. The seamless fusion of her love for the outdoors and commitment to aviation empowers her to combine her passion for exploration with her thriving career in flight. Beyond her professional aspirations, Sara's dedication to serving her community shines through her five-year volunteer tenure with the local Search and Rescue team. Her unwavering enthusiasm and resilient spirit embody the essence of an adventurer and a devoted aviation professional, determined to make a difference.
CAE S-76 Initial Training for Helicopter ATP Scholarship
Maria Paradise, WG#2240
Raised in El Paso, Maria Paradise is a Texan. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Manufacturing and Systems Engineering from University of Texas at El Paso, has been active in the Texas Army National Guard since 2012 fulfilling a multitude of roles including UH-72 Lakota pilot and currently as an aviation officer; holds a commercial certificate with instrument rating from from the Army Aviation Initial Rotary Wing Training program and a CFI/CFII from Veracity Aviation. She spent 2 years as an instructor at Veracity Aviation and Brunner Aerospace before securing a job as an oil and gas pilot for Westwind Helicopters. She is trained to operate the Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk, Eurocopter EC-145, Robinson R-44, Robinson R-22, and the Bell 206 and 407. Maria is constantly finding new ways to improve her already expansive skill set and utilizing that knowledge to further the ability of others.
Coptersafety H145 Initial / ATP Flight training course
Ioanna Athanasiou, WG#1462
Ioanna has been flying helicopters professionally since 2005 gaining extensive and diverse experience in the USA and internationally on various aircraft types and multiple operations including offshore oil and gas, medevac, VVIP, law enforcement, and firefighting. She focused her instructional role in promoting safety. By prioritizing ongoing training and active engagement in safety-related roles she ensures she is well-equipped to offer her best service to her colleagues and customers. Currently she is flying firefighting missions on the S64 with Helicopter Express. She finds aspiration in the kindness, dedication, and strong work ethics of her colleagues. She enjoys walking in the park with her dog, finding that to be a comforting homely experience.
Edward M. Thurn Memorial Scholarship
Justine Nobbe, WG#2397
Justine Nobbe and her family live in Salt Lake City. The diverse and mountainous landscapes of Utah have provided beautiful and challenging terrain for flight training. Currently, she holds her private pilot license with an instrument rating and is finishing her commercial license in January 2025. Justine formerly worked in the nonprofit sector and in the outdoor industry and continues to enjoy rock climbing, hiking, and general alpine shenanigans
FlightSafety International Bell 206/Bell 407 Scholarship
Kiley Taber, WG#2577
Kiley started helicopter flight training one year ago at FlyARH, a part 61 flight school in Springdale, Arkansas. Her favorite part of flight training, so far, has been her initial solo cross-country. Nothing has ever felt more freeing. Kiley has obtained her rotor-wing private pilot and is working toward finishing the remainder of her training. She has had to opportunity to fly a number of R44s and a Bell 206 Long Ranger. Kiley's career goal is to become an Emergency Medical Response Pilot. She is young, ambitious, and ready to explore all this industry has to offer.
Garmin Aviation Online Training Course Scholarship
Kasia Hayden, Associate Member
Kasia is a software engineer at Google and an aspiring helicopter pilot based in Maui, Hawaii. She is currently training toward her private pilot's license in Robinson helicopters and is delighted by how flying mirrors her ocean hobbies of kitefoiling and wingfoiling, all of which cultivate an intuitive sense of aerodynamics.
A graduate of MIT, Kasia enjoys tackling challenges across diverse fields and finds immense joy in learning new skills like piloting and rotorcraft engineering design.
Grateful for this scholarship opportunity, Kasia looks forward to contributing to the aviation community through documenting her training journey on YouTube for future Whirly-Girls to follow.
Garmin Aviation Online Training Course Scholarship
Lauren Hutson, Associate Member
Lauren Hutson started her flight training in 2022, flying an R22 out of Chino Airport. She switched to fixed wing to have better access to aircraft and instructors, planning to return to complete her rotor add on at a later date. She completed her Private Pilot rating at Fullerton Airport in March, 2023. Lauren spent a year working as a lidar operator in a Bell 206 saving up for her instrument rating. She is very active in the Fullerton Chapter of the 99s, currently serving as the chapter secretary. This will be Lauren’s third year proudly volunteering with the Whirly-Girls as an associate member for VERTICON (previously HELI-EXPO).
Garmin GTN & Flight Display Pilot Training Course Scholarship
Michelle Astergard, WG#2191
Michelle earned her CPL and ATPL in Sweden in 2019 before continuing her FAA training with Mauna Loa Helicopters where she completed her CFII. She began her career as a flight instructor with Rogue Aviation in Los Angeles and later returned to Mauna Loa to fly tours on the breathtaking island of Kauai. Michelle also expanded her experience by flying charters in Greece. Recently, she obtained her type rating on the AW139 and has flown a variety of helicopters, including the R22, R44, R66, EC120, and Bell 206. Her career reflects a passion for diverse flying experiences and international opportunities.
Garmin GTN & Flight Display Pilot Training Course Scholarship
Karina Gaynutdinova, Associate
Karina Gaynutdinova currently calls Los Angeles, California home. Her journey into aviation began while she was working as a flight attendant for Delta Airlines; it sparked a desire in her to become a pilot. She found a Part 61 flight school in Wadsworth, Ohio, where she earned her PPL, Instrument, CSEL, CMEL. After logging 500 flight hours, she joined Southern Airways Express, flying the C208, and later transitioned to an air ambulance service, piloting the Lear 35. Karina’s passion has grown to include flying helicopters as she aspires to save even more lives. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Engineering and was an enthusiastic member of her university’s running team. Staying active is important to Karina; she enjoys working out and maintaining a healthy diet. She also enjoys volunteering her time helping women achieve their aviation goals and providing support to those just starting out in the industry.
Garmin GTN & Flight Display Pilot Training Course Scholarship
Maria Romero-Abella, WG#2296
Maria Romero Abella began her aviation journey during the pandemic, earning her commercial helicopter license in 2021 at Mountain View Helicopters in Alberta, Canada. She launched her career in maintenance administration before transitioning to roles as a tour pilot and survey pilot. In 2023, Maria joined Sanders Geophysics, on the AS350, where she continues to expand her expertise. Passionate about diversity in aviation she aspires to work internationally and inspire others to pursue their dreams in the industry.
Leading Edge & COCC Instrument Rating Scholarship
Katherine Bryson, WG#2574
Katie officially started her aviation journey at the South Valley Regional airport in Utah in 2021 where she trained for a short period of time. After her previous school closed she sought out Leading Edge Aviation Academy in Bend, OR. She enrolled in 2023 and soon after obtained her private pilot license in February 2024. While there, she studied simultaneously at the nearby college to earn college credit. Her flight training was completed in the Robinson R-22. Katie has worked up to four jobs at a time while in flight school. She is excited that this scholarship will allow her more time to focus on her studies. Her occupational goal is to one day become an emergency medical services pilot.
Leonardo AW139 Flight Training Course Scholarship
Jena Kendall, WG#1903
Jena’s love for aviation began at an early age growing up around the airport and surrounded by pilots. Her love of helicopters started when she was 4, during a flight where the pilot demonstrated an autorotation to a small island. While earning her degree in Finance and Marketing at the University of Wisconsin- Milwaukee, she pursued her helicopter training on the side. In 2021, Jena made the leap to aviation full-time, flying tours and ENG in St. Petersburg, FL. Today, she flies a Bell 407 based in New York City operating luxury charters and HAA organ flights.
Leonardo AW139 Flight Training Course Scholarship
Ivona Redlinska, WG#1470
Ivona grew up in New York City, where her fascination with helicopters first took flight. Her aviation journey has taken her across Northern California, the Grand Canyon, and the Midwest, where she gained experience in flight instruction, tours, aerial photography, filming, and HEMS. She then expanded her horizons internationally, flying in the Middle East. Combining her passion for aerial filming and ad-hoc missions, Ivona now films rallies, provides HEMS support for sporting events, and thrives on the unique challenges that each mission brings. For Ivona, flying is more than a career - it’s a platform. She is dedicated to making a meaningful impact and elevating the role of women in helicopter aviation.
Leonardo AW139 Full Airframe Maintenance Course Scholarship
Erin Kinsella, WG#2433
Erin Kinsella got into aviation when she was 19. She had just returned from a year backpacking in Europe with very little money and no idea what to do with her life. She had just enough money for a trial flight in an R22 helicopter. They flew with the doors off over the coast of the Gold Coast, Australia. It’s was beyond beautiful and she fell in love. Erin earned the money to get her pilot’s license and then worked around Australia in different operations gaining experience. In 2016, she joined the Australian Army to get her maintenance license and she has been working on Chinook helicopters since. It has been an amazing experience for her, but she is ready to transition back to civilian aviation and is excited and grateful that this scholarship is a step in that direction.
Leonardo AW139 Full Airframe Maintenance Course Scholarship
Anna Harpila, Associate
Anna Harpila decided a few years ago to change her profession and fulfill a childhood dream to work with aviation maintenance. With enthusiasm for complicated machinery and fascinated by odd physics involved with helicopters, she decided to study not just aviation but to specialice to helicopters. She is now working as a maintenance technician in Finland. In a country where the industry is relatively small and opportunities are limited, gaining a type rating to medium size helicopter will offer a big leap in her career.
Lora Trout Remembrance Initial or Commercial Training Scholarship
Melissa Edsel, Associate
Melissa grew up in Florida where her adventurous spirit and passion for helping her community have shaped both her life and career. She has spent much of her professional journey working with a nonprofit organization dedicated to making a positive impact on others. Melissa’s fascination with helicopters began 10 years ago during a discovery flight, a life-changing experience that ignited her dream of becoming a pilot. Currently training at Panhandle Helicopter, she is focused on combining her passion for service with the excitement and adventure of aviation. Melissa’s long-term goal is to pursue a career in aerial firefighting, using her skills to protect communities in need. She hopes her journey will motivate others to follow their passions and pursue their dreams.
MD Helicopters MD500 Flight Training Scholarship
Alexandra Ambros, WG#2053
Alex Ambros was born in Vermont but was first introduced to the joys of flight as a child when commuting by bush plane in interior Alaska. After several years of her own summer employment in Alaska and a BA in Geology she went to work a season in Antarctica as a cook. There, through a morale boosting running competition, she won a helicopter flight to visit a penguin colony. That flight, and the pilots she met both there and in Alaska, inspired her to become a helicopter pilot.Alex started the first three years of her flying career as a flight instructor in Oregon followed by two summers as tour pilot over the Grand Canyon with Papillon Helicopters.Ultimately her goal is to transition into the world of utility flight and has great aspirations of one day being able to fly for the United States Antarctic Program.
Oregon Aero CRM/AMRM Instructor Training Scholarship
Izabele Bellini, WG#2453
Izabele Bellini has a master’s degree in International Relations and was a History teacher until 2022, when she resigned to dedicate herself to a career as a helicopter pilot. She obtained her commercial pilot license in 2024 and is now looking for opportunities to gain flight hours and experience so that she can be employed as a pilot. Currently living in her native country Brazil, Izabele is also open to exploring career opportunities abroad.
Oregon Aero CRM/AMRM Instructor Training Scholarship
Joanna Forrester, WG#1869
Jo currently flies the S92 offshore for Oil & Gas as a Senior First Officer for CHC based in Aberdeen, Scotland. She has been flying for 11yrs, having trained at Bristow Academy in Florida and then spent time instructing and flying tours in Hawaii and California before returning to Europe. She is very excited to receive the Oregon Aero CRM Instructor Training Scholarship, especially as her current role is multi crew so it is particularly relevant and she is keen to develop her CRM knowledge and skills.
PHI Bell 407 Scholarship
Mandolyn Leader, WG#2569
From a young age Mandy has dreamed of becoming a pilot. During her enlistment in the US Coast Guard, she discovered her passion for helicopters. She went on to do her flight training in Australia, Hawaii, and Oregon. She then had the opportunity to fly tours in Texas. Mandy is now preparing for the next chapter of her career, training to fly in the Gulf of Mexico. In her free time, Mandy continues her involvement in other areas of aviation, volunteering and traveling to different events to spread her love of flying.
PHI Bell 407 Scholarship
Holly Henderson, WG#2450
Growing up, Holly had always been fascinated watching the different types of helicopters fly down the seawall of her hometown of Galveston, Texas. It was after an unexpected conversation with a pilot and then later an intro flight that she realized she had found her calling. Holly started her training in Hawaii for the love of wind. She has gone from zero to hero in 5 years valuing learning and the confidence to dream big. She is captivated by the intellectual stimulation of helicopter flight. Thus, formulating a successful mission every time is a delight. She will use the scholarship to begin an offshore career in the great Gulf of Mexico.
Robinson Helicopter R22/R44 Safety Course Scholarship
Melissa Leggett, WG#2409
Melissa started her aviation career flying at Hillsboro Heli Academy in Portland, Oregon in October 2021. This is where she got the opportunity to complete her private pilot license as well as her instrument rating. Melissa then moved back home to Southern California, where she currently attends Rogue Aviation. She was able to complete her commercial license in September 2023 and is planning on completing her CFI at the end of January 2025. She would love to stay and fly in California and is still deciding what she wants to do in the future. At the moment, she is deciding between flying for a federal agency or becoming a fire helicopter pilot. Melissa is excited to start her aviation career and begin flying full time.
Robinson Helicopter R66 Safety Course Scholarship
Casey Campbell, WG#2383
Casey Campbell was introduced to the helicopter industry through her experience on a rappel crew as a wildland firefighter for the U.S. Forest Service. It wasn’t until she learned how to fly paragliders and speed wings in Montana that she truly became enamored with aviation. She completed her flight training at Jerry Trimble Helicopters in McMinnville, Oregon. She then worked as a CFI at both Jerry Trimble and Alyeska Helicopters before progressing to Part 135 tour and utility operations in Alaska. Her career goals include survey, animal capture, and wildlife conservation. Her heart is happiest when flying any aircraft in big mountains.
Survival Systems USA Aviation Survival & Egress Scholarship
Shelbi Enzenauer-Sereni, WG#2371
As Shelbi began to enter the fire industry as a volunteer fire fighter she moved to Klamath Falls, Oregon and stumbled upon the aviation program there. In awe of the helicopters and F-15s flying overhead, she decided to start making some inquiries. She quickly discovered her passion for helicopters when she took an intro flight in the Guimbal Cabri. “Before my intro flight, I was unsure of my interest. But after, there was no turning back! Aviation had become a deep passion of mine within minutes.” She completed her Associates Degree in Aviation and graduated in 2022. In 2023, Shelbi received her first job offer in the aviation industry as a Sikorsky SH-3H copilot and has completed two fire seasons thus far and is looking forward to many more.
Survival Systems USA Aviation Survival & Egress Scholarship
Amory Harris, WG#2244
Amory started her helicopter career after working as a guide at a remote lodge in Alaska where she took guests out on helicopter accessed fly fishing, hiking, glacier trekking, and rafting excursions. 5 years after her first flight as a passenger, she is now working for Pollux Aviation in Alaska as a field utility pilot. She loves spending half of the year in the 49th state's most remote locations where people are greatly outnumbered by bears, moose, and mosquitos.
Volo Mission & Timberline Vertical Reference/External Load Scholarship
Lisa Zumkeller, WG#2174
Lisa grew up on a farm where she discovered a knack for operating heavy machinery. She continued that line of work into early adulthood, but after witnessing a medevac helicopter operation up close she soon changed paths. She started her helicopter career as an SIC on the AS 332 super puma then advanced into a Bell 206, and then H125. Lisa currently flies as a contract longline pilot doing utility, fire and bush work on the H125 in Canada and also does some medevac work on the side on the BK117. She has worked all across Canada as well as in the Arctic. She has been in aviation for 4 years and enjoys volunteering for the Whirly-Girls and other aviation groups.