ABOVE: The Helping Dreams gliding scholarships provide recipients with the opportunity to undertake glider and powered-flying training at approved UK schools
Helping Dreams Take Flight, a UK charitable foundation established to widen access to aviation, has officially opened applications for its 2026 Gliding Scholarships and Five-Hour Powered Flying Scholarships. The 2026 programme has been designed to support aspiring aviators at the earliest stages of their flying journey, offering structured, funded opportunities in both gliding and powered flight, supported by leading aviation organisations including SkyDemon and Pooleys.
The gliding scholarships provide recipients with the opportunity to undertake structured glider training at approved UK gliding clubs. Gliding, widely recognised as an outstanding foundation for aviation, helps young aviators develop core flying skills such as energy management, situational awareness, airmanship and decision-making. By removing the cost barrier, the scholarships aim to make this traditional and highly respected pathway into aviation accessible to a broader range of individuals.
The powered flying scholarships consist of five funded flying hours with approved flight training organisations. These scholarships are designed to help recipients take their first practical steps into powered aviation, covering a meaningful block of flight training that can be used towards early licence progression. By funding these initial hours, Helping Dreams Take Flight aims to reduce the significant financial barriers often associated with learning to fly.
The scholarships are open to applicants across the UK, with no upper age limit, and are aimed at individuals who demonstrate motivation, potential and commitment, including those who face financial, social or physical barriers to entering aviation. Selection will be based on merit and alignment with the charity’s values rather than prior access to flying.
Helping Dreams Take Flight was founded to create meaningful, sustainable pathways into aviation, with a strong focus on inclusivity, accessibility and community. The charity is supported by its founding partner, The Flyer Watch Company, a British family-owned aviation watch brand that donates a significant portion of its profits to aviation scholarships and charitable flying initiatives.
Applications opened on 5 January 2026 and will close on 1 March 2026, with interviews scheduled for the final two weeks of April 2026. Full details, eligibility criteria and application forms are available at www.helpingdreamstakeflight.com
PHOTO: HELPING DREAMS
