The Air League’s 2025 Scholarship Awards Reception took place at No. 4 Hamilton Place in London, bringing together scholars, industry professionals, and supporters to mark the achievements of over 100 young people awarded scholarships and bursaries this year. With Bristow as the event’s main sponsor, the evening offered a thoughtful reflection on the value of opportunity and mentorship in aviation and aerospace and recognised the hard work and dedication of those pursuing careers in the sector.
Among the celebrations, individual awards were presented to scholars who had shown dedication, skill, and promise throughout their training. These awards recognised a range of achievements across leadership, innovation, and technical performance, reflecting the breadth of talent.
Prince Philip Award: Celebrating Leadership and Promise in Aviation
The Prince Philip Award, established in 2002 to mark 50 years of patronage by the late Duke of Edinburgh, is presented annually to an Air Training Corps member who demonstrates outstanding potential. This year’s recipient, Joseph Smith, arrived on his course with prior hands-on flying experience and progressed quickly, completing his first solo flight after just nine and a half hours of training. He logged over an hour of solo time and passed theoretical exams in Aviation Law and Human Performance and Limitations. Joseph was recognised for his flying ability, academic effort, and professional attitude. The award was presented by Mark Howarth, Head of Pilot Management at TUI Airways.
Evelyn Saunders Memorial Cup: Honouring Spirit, Innovation, and Legacy
The Evelyn Saunders Memorial Cup was awarded in tribute to the late Pamela Patten, daughter of Evelyn Saunders and a cherished member of in The Air League community. This year’s recipient, Toluwalola Opaleye, was recognised for her passion, dedication, and progress toward her goal of becoming a pilot. A recipient of a 12-hour Air League flying scholarship, Tolu was also the winner this year’s Global Innovators’ Challenge, where she impressed with her confident presentation and innovative solution to transform landfill waste into sustainable aviation fuel. At just 19 years old, Tolu has proved to be a force to be reckoned with both as a pilot and an engineer.
EEI Drone Scholar of the Year: Excellence in Emerging Flight Technologies
In the rapidly evolving field of drone operations, Dom Wilmore was named the Eagle Eye Innovations (EEI) Drone Scholar of the Year. Throughout the course, Dom demonstrated exceptional dedication, curiosity, and professionalism. His approach to flying and classroom engagement, combined with his enthusiasm and conduct, reflected the qualities highly sought after in the aviation industry and positioned him well for a future career in UAV flight. Dom’s achievement highlights the expanding horizons of aviation and The Air League’s commitment to supporting emerging technologies.
Celebrating this Years’ Scholars
This year’s cohort of 122 scholars and bursary recipients represented a wide range of disciplines and aspirations:
- Flying Scholars completed intensive flight training and solo flights, with many now pursuing commercial pilot licences.
- Gliding to Solo and Bursary recipients progressed rapidly through solo stages and demonstrated exceptional airmanship.
- Engineering Scholars were placed with leading organisations such as Affinity Flying Training Services and Virgin Atlantic, gaining hands-on experience in aerospace engineering.
- Ground School Scholars, supported by Bristol Groundschool, excelled in PPL and ATPL theory.
- Electric Flying Scholars trained in sustainable electric aircraft, reflecting the industry’s shift toward greener aviation.
- Drone Scholars mastered remote piloting and safety protocols, preparing for careers in surveillance, logistics, and emergency response.
- Battle Back Veterans Recovery Programme sponsored by Boeing, supported wounded and injured members of our armed forces through the healing power of flight.
Each scholar was recognised and celebrated not only for their technical achievements but for their resilience, passion, and potential to shape the future of aviation.
Powered by Partnership
The evening’s success was made possible through the collective support of Bristow, the event’s main sponsor, our hosts The Royal Aeronautical Society as well as our training partners, scholarship sponsors, mentors, alumni, and guests, all of whom play a vital role in advancing The Air League’s mission. Their contributions reflect a shared commitment to developing the next generation of aviation professionals and ensuring that opportunity remains open to all.
The Air League extends its sincere thanks to everyone who helped make the 2025 Scholarship Awards Reception a meaningful and memorable occasion.
Looking Ahead
As the formal proceedings drew to a close, the evening left a lasting impression: with the right support, guidance, and opportunity, young people from diverse backgrounds can pursue meaningful careers in aviation.
The 2025 Scholarship Awards Reception was more than a celebration; it was a powerful reminder of what’s possible when ambition is supported by opportunity ensuring a meaningful step forward for the next generation of aviation professionals.
