VAI scholarship allows Valyry Finnerty to start pilot job with less debt Discover how VAI scholarship recipients have turned opportunity into achievement—and how you can do the same—in this exclusive VAI Daily series. Are you ready to give your aviation education a boost? The VAI scholarship program is back for 2026, with scholarships available in aviation maintenance, commercial helicopter pilot ratings, and pilot safety. A benefit exclusively for VAI members, the scholarships help vertical aviation pilots, mechanics, engineers, and aspiring professionals cover the costs of their education and training. Not a VAI member? Join the association and enjoy access to the VAI scholarship program as well as a host of additional educational, safety, and other benefits. Then, learn more about the program and submit your application for a 2026 VAI scholarship by the submission deadline, Friday, Nov. 14, 2025. As the submission deadline approaches, we’re highlighting past VAI scholarship winners in a series of articles in VAI Daily. In this installment, we hear from Valyry Finnerty, 35, recipient of a 2025 Commercial Helicopter Pilot Rating Scholarship, who describes how the scholarship is helping her achieve her dream of working as a helicopter utility pilot. She also describes the financial commitment that deters many people from pursuing a career flying helicopters. VAI Daily: How has the VAI scholarship helped you meet your education goals? Valyry Finnerty: The scholarship has been a huge help in enabling me to reach my goals as a commercial pilot. I had to take out high-interest loans to finish my certificates, and the VAI scholarship allowed me to finish under budget and use less money than I borrowed, which I didn’t think was possible. What are your career goals? I’ve accepted my first job as a LiDAR [light detection and ranging] data collection specialist/ferry pilot, and because I have my certificates, I’ll be moving to utility pilot in the Robinson R44 shortly. I love the company I work for and look forward to my new role. I’ve always wanted to end up in the utility industry, so I feel lucky to have this job as a fresh commercial pilot. I’ve always had open long-term career goals as a helicopter pilot, and I’m looking forward to where the industry takes me in the future. What inspires you about the idea of working within the vertical aviation community? Vertical aviation is the first community in my career where I have truly felt a sense of belonging. Since I was in a helicopter for the first time, when I was 12, flying has been the one true passion that has stayed with me consistently through many other career opportunities. Each day I spend around helicopters is truly more motivating than the last. It’s a challenging industry with seemingly endless pathways if you work hard and are resourceful. The challenge is what inspires me the most. Who is your greatest mentor and why? I started my training in 2020, and it has taken me five years, three flight schools, and living in two states to become a commercial pilot. I’ve also worked during this time. Naturally, I’ve had many instructors and met many pilots in my short education/work career. I’d like to thank my friend Ryan, who gave me a wonderful experience ferrying a Bell 206 and teaching me so much about the industry. I’m also grateful to my friend Jake, who helped me solidify my first job in the utility industry. I look forward to helping my peers in the ways that I have been helped. What do you view as the biggest challenges facing the vertical aviation profession? I think the biggest challenge for helicopter pilots is the exorbitant cost of training versus the years of work in the industry to make it worth it. You really must love it (which is great because the industry is filled with other passionate individuals). I’d like to see the cost-versus-reward ratio balance out in the future.
