|
Flying Scholarships, Sponsorships and Bursaries |
|
|
Flying Scholarships, Bursaries and Sponsorships
Does this sound too good to be true? Well, sorry to say, that's probably because it is. However, there are a number of flying scholarships and bursaries given out each year as well as sponsorship schemes. The reason I say they are not free is because you have to work hard to get them, and competition is stiff. There are lots of opportunities to learn to fly for free, but many, many more hopeful candidates looking for their chance to become a pilot. And most of them are well prepared.
Click here for some advice on how to prepare yourself.
Following is a list of the organisations offering flying scholarships. Please note that these are the ones I know of and could find. Other opportunities often come up, and sometimes they are withdrawn, but I'll keep the list as up to date as I can. Also, I am only listing those schemes available to ab-initio pilots (that is, pilots with no existing license), and do not include schemes for further ratings such as Instrument Rating or FI Ratings, as this website is really for young people who are looking to get themselves on the first step of the ladder.
|
|
The Air Cadets
The Air Cadets offer several different levels of training for 13-20-year olds. Cadets from both the Air Training Corps and the CCF are offered opportunities to fly in light aircraft and gliders, as well as other RAF and Civil aircraft.
There are plenty of opportunities open to cadets when flying, from aerobatics in a Grob Tutor (see pic) to practice stalling in a Grob Glider.
Some Cadets, who stand out from the rest may also get the chance to fly in a civil airliner or go on an overseas flight in an RAF Tri-Star or Hercules. A few cadets have also had the thrill of flying in a variety of other aircraft such including fast jets and the Red Arrows!
There are also many exciting opportunities
for cadets to learn how to fly, with scholarships
available for both powered flight and gliding.
In general, every cadet is given opportunities to fly during their time as an active member of an ATC or CCF squadron. Click here for more infomation on the Air Cadets.
Click here for locations in and around the London area. |
|
The Air League
click here for link to Air League awards
 The Air League Educational Trust is a charitable trust fund that offers careers advice and annual flying scholarships, bursaries, gliding scholarships, engineering scholarships and even a balloon private pilot's licence. The
above link takes you to the web page in the Air League's website that highlights these awards. Applications for the 2009 awards will open later
this year (2008).
|
|
The Guild of Air Pilots and Air Navigators
The J.N. Somers Award will generously provide funding for a full time course of Air and Ground studies, leading to the award of a frozen JAA ATPL. Training at a JAA approved training organisation will commence in Spring 2009 at a training organisation considered to be the most suitable available world-wide, selected by GAPAN. The closing date for receipt of applications is 13th June 2008. If you miss this, start preparing now for the 2009 applications
Full information regarding the criteria required from the candidate is contained within the application form (click here), but for ease of information a candidate must fit the following criteria:
~ Minimum age of 18 years, maximum 26 on the 13 June 2008
~ Hold a JAA Class 1 Medical Certificate (valid on the 13th June 2008- click here for more details)
~ At least 5 GCSE passes in relevant subjects
~ At least 2 'A' level passes or equivalent (ie NVQ level 3 or above or BTEC
National Certificate/Diploma) click here to go to Qualifications Curriculum Authority website
~ Evidence of strong motivation towards a careers in aviation, eg progression towards a Private tttPilot's Licence, report from Air Cadets, and so on
The GAPAN PPL Scholarship's aim is to assist the successful individuals, who might not otherwise have the neccessary resourses to acheive thier license. This Scholarship covers the direct training and examination costs. Other expenses, such as the Medical Certificate, subsistance, travel and accomodation are the responsibility of the candidate. Several PPL scholarships are to be awarded in 2008. The closing date for these is 9th April 2008. If you miss this deadline, don't worry, it gives you time to prepare for the 2009 scholarships!
The criteria for successful applications include:
~ The ability to demonstrate a serious ambition and ability to pursue an aviation-based careers
~ The availability to undertake the complete scholarship during the summer of 2008
~ Educational achievements, demonstratable knowledge and/or experience in science, maths or other ---aviation related subjects
~ Must be able to satisfy the the relevant CAA medical standard to enable issue of the appropriate ----- license and any relevant CAA pre-course requirements
~ Must be at least 17 years old at the commencement of training on 1st July 2008
Click here for the application form and more details.
|
|
You are here:
