Vertical Flight Foundation
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Make a donation to VFF today!
Last year, VFF provided 18 scholarships totaling nearly $35,000, thanks to the generosity and support of its contributors – members like you. But VFF could reach and serve many more students. Please consider making a donation to help attract and retain the highest caliber students to our industry.
VFF is a charitable organization, so your contribution is deductible from U.S. income taxes. Please log in to the AHS membership website to make an online donation by credit card (scroll down to the bottom right, under “Donations”). Or you can mail your check payable to “VFF” to AHS International headquarters: 217 N. Washington Street, Alexandria, VA 22314. Please call Holly Cafferelli at 703-684-6777 x100 if you have any questions.
The Vertical Flight Foundation was established in 1967 as the philanthropic arm of the American Helicopter Society. Governed by a Board of Trustees, the Foundation's operation is made possible solely through voluntary tax-deductible contributions.
In 1977, the Foundation established a scholarship program for promising undergraduate and graduate students who plan to pursue careers in vertical flight. In the initial years, the Foundation awarded between three and eight $1,000 scholarships annually. Since 1980, the Foundation has awarded nearly 400 scholarships from $1,000 to $4,000, thanks to the generosity and support of its contributors.
The Foundation recognizes four categories of contributors. The Sustaining Patrons are those corporations or individuals who have made and continue to make significant contributions to the VFF of $1,000 or more. The Foundation recognized individuals and organizations making annual contributions of $500 to $999.99 as Guarantors; those donating $300 to $499.99 as Benefactors; those who contribute $100-$299.99 are recognized as Sponsors; and those donating $35 to $99.99 are Associates in the program. Additionally, many generous AHS members (more than 300) when renewing their membership opt to contribute the $l0 VFF line item on their membership forms.
In 1987, PJS Publications established the Don Toler Memorial Scholarship Fund, in honor of the late Editor-in-Chief of Rotor & Wing, to be administered under the auspices of the Vertical Flight Foundation. Contributions to the Vertical Flight Foundation are also accepted in the name of the late Charles W. (Chuck) Ellis, of Boeing Defense & Space Group, Helicopters Division. Donations are also accepted in the name of the late helicopter pioneer and long-time AHS member Dr. Henry R. Velkoff who died in February 1993. The Society received an extremely generous VFF contribution from the Alfred L. Wolf Estate in the amount of $43,679.08. This donation, from a highly respected lawyer who created the Vertical Flight Foundation, will greatly assist the Society in continuing and expanding its mission to help educate and interest students in careers in the vertical flight industry. We also received a very generous donation from Hans Weichsel of $21,000 to establish a scholarship in memory of his wife "Gil" Weichsel.
VFF contributions have also been accepted to honor Ralph Alex, Hal Andrews, Clemis Bailey, Richard A. Balzer, Barry Baskett, Henry Borst, Jean Boulet, Richard M. Carlson, Joseph P. Cribbins, William G. Flannelly, E. E. "Tug" Gustafson, Helmut Huber, Charles Kaman, Bart Kelley, Joseph Mashman, John McLaughlin, John B. Nichols, Paul Powers, Charles M. Seibel, John A. Todd, J. Cullen Weadock, William W. Walls, Arthur Young, John Zuk and others.
For those interested in applying for a VFF Scholarship, applications must be submitted by February 1, 2012. NOTE: Please read the Guidelines for Students and Professors before filling in the application as the application process has changed. Please include on the application the date you asked for your transcripts to be sent and the name and email address of the professor you have asked for a recommendation. Remember to give your professor a copy of the Guidelines. Email your completed application with resume to hcafferelli@vtol.org (preferred) or follow the mailing instructions in the Guidelines.
Vertical Flight Foundation Scholarship Committee
Chairman
Mr. Charles W. Hughes, Jr.
Consultant
Members
Mr. John McKeown
Consultant
Mr. George Price
Consultant
Dr. Clifford Smith
S-76/Special Projects Group Leader
Sikorsky Aircraft Corp.
Mr. Robert Beggs
Senior Manager Aerospace Support
The Boeing Co.