The Air League has opened applications for its 2017 flying scholarships, which give lucky winners the chance to win hours towards a PPL, or additional flying qualifications.
Over the past decade, scholarships worth more than £2 million have been allocated to young people across the UK. The Air League looks for individuals that have a flair and passion for aviation, and determination to succeed. In 2017, the Air League Trust is offering the following opportunities in aviation and aerospace to young men and women who are permanent residents in the UK. The competition for flying scholarships opened on 5 November, with representatives from the Air League on hand at Pilot Careers Live London to explain more about the application process and the type of flying on offer. Applications for all other competitions open on 1 December 2016.
Flying scholarships offer the chance to learn to fly through the award of 12 flying hours in light aircraft, to be put towards the achievement of a Light Aircraft Pilots Licence (LAPL) or completion of a PPL(A). The majority of scholarships will be on a residential basis at selected UK flying schools. Applicants must be aged between 18 and 26 on 1 April 2017. The closing date for applicants is Friday 29 January 2017.
Flying bursaries provide 3-5 hours of advanced flight training in single-engine piston aeroplanes to assist licensed pilots to gain additional flying qualifications or renew a rating. There are no age limits. The closing date is Friday 19 February 2017.
There are also engineering scholarships, which provide placements in the UK industry for one or two weeks for young people considering careers as aerospace engineers, and gliding scholarships, which offer solo glider pilot awards of up to £300 to gain flying experience and new qualifications.
Leading Edge panel member and previous scholarship recipient Dipeet Mehta, explains why he thinks the scholarships are worth a shot.
After submitting my application and having successfully passing the stages, I was offered a 12 hour Flying Scholarship towards my PPL. It was the first step climbing the ladder into the flight deck. Learning to fly has been one of the best experiences I have ever had! I went for my first solo in just over nine hours, and I was pleased to have such a prestigious scholarship to start off my flying career. I completed my PPL, followed by ATPL exams at CAE Oxford and CPL ME IR at CTC Aviation. I was fortunate enough to be awarded the Flying Bursary which helped me complete my Night Rating. After completing the flight training I joined Spanish airline, Volotea, where I currently fly Boeing 717-200 aircraft across Europe.
Scholarships aside, membership of The Air League and Leading Edge includes many more benefits. I’ve had the chance to visit RAF Stations, Civilian Airports, had the opportunity to experience full motion simulators, attend The Air Leagues annual flying day, lectures and most importantly network with professionals from all aspects of the aviation industry.
Becoming an airline pilot is truly a dream come true and I wouldn’t be where I am today if it wasn’t for The Air League. I would encourage you all to apply for Air League Scholarship in 2017!
So keep your eyes peeled on our home and scholarship pages and apply as soon as the forms are live, starting 5th November
