The Honourable Company has awarded a total of three Private Pilot Licence scholarships, an Instructor Scholarship, an ATPL Ground School Scholarship and five Gliding Scholarships.
In addition, three existing Flying Instructors have been able to improve their qualifications thanks to Air Pilots bursaries.
Private Pilot Licence Scholarships:
The Grayburn Scholarship (generously sponsored by Past Master of the Guild, Michael Grayburn) has been awarded to Daniel McCormack of Todmorten, Lancashire. Daniel is 21 years old and has achieved a BSc (Hons) in mathematics. His background is in gliding and after going solo he was invited to join 642 Volunteer Gliding Squadron at RAF Linton-on-Ouse as an Air Cadet. He now holds the position of B1 Category Instructor and Authoriser. With a long term ambition to fly professionally, he will be carrying out training for his Private Pilot Licence at Herefordshire Aero Club.
The Cadogan Scholarship (kindly sponsored by the Cadogan Charitable Trust) has been awarded to Dominic Registe of Northolt, Middlesex, who is a student at the University of Westminster studying economics. He has volunteered over 3,500 hours to the Air Cadets as an RAF Motor Gliding Instructor and also volunteers for the NSPCC Childline. Dominic is a very keen sportsman, competing competitively as a cross-country runner for his county at the National Championships. He will be spending this summer flying with West London Aero Club to attain his Private Pilot Licence, which will bring him closer to his goal of becoming a commercial pilot.
The Sir Sefton Brancker Scholarship (funded by the Air Pilots Benevolent Fund) is this year awarded to Alice Goodwin of Dorking, Surrey. Alice is currently studying for her A Levels at The Ashcombe School in Dorking in Surrey, but still manages to find time to volunteer at Disability Challengers and also at Aerobility, where she contributes to giving disabled people the experience of flying. Alice is determined to become an airline pilot and will carry out her PPL training at Synergy Aviation at Fairoaks.
Flight Instructor Scholarship:
The Swire Scholarship (generously sponsored by one of the Swire charities) is awarded to Steven Birchall, of Horfield, Bristol (formerly from Great Sutton, Cheshire), who will be training to achieve his Flight Instructor Certificate at Aeros Aviation, Gloucester. He is currently working for Airbus Industry as an aircraft fitter and is extremely passionate about pursuing a career as a flying instructor. Steven also enjoys his cricket and runs coaching sessions with his club’s junior players.
Gliding Scholarships:
The Young Air Pilots group of the Company has again generously provided five Gliding scholarships. Five exceptionally motivated candidates were chosen:
Alice Bartlett, South Woodchester, Stroud, Gloucestershire – A young woman with a keen interest in gliding and a desire to promote the sport as a solo pilot. She has already accomplished a few hours in the air and is, at present, a winch driver at Bristol and Gloucestershire Gliding Club, where she will be carrying out her training this summer.
Antony Bellamy, Ormskirk, Lancashire – A committed member of the Ormskirk Air Training Corps, Antony is highly motivated towards a flying career in the Royal Air Force, so much so that he has returned to Higher Education to gain the necessary qualifications in order to meet the entry requirements fully. Antony will be training at Bowland Forest Gliding Club and York Gliding Centre.
Arvydas Cetyrkovskis, Manchester – Currently studying for a Master’s degree in Aerospace Engineering at the University of Manchester, Arvydas’ ambition is to become an airline pilot and he feels that this scholarship will give him valuable flying skills whilst fulfilling his passion for flying. This summer Arvydas will be training at the Derbyshire & Lancashire Gliding Club
Kishan Dohil, Ilford, Essex – has a desire to become a pilot and being awarded this scholarship will be the first step onto his career path. Karate is also one of Kishan’s passions and he has been taking classes since the age of 9 and has achieved his brown belt. He will be taking his course at Booker Gliding Club.
Craig McGregor, Rochdale, Lancashire – is presently working as a dispatcher at Leeds and Bradford Airport. He has managed to fund a few flying hours already and is confident that this scholarship will be a perfect starting point to an aviation career as a commercial pilot. Craig will train at Bowland Forest Gliding Club and York Gliding Centre this summer.
“Special thanks in all cases must go to the British Gliding Association centres mentioned here who have certainly gone the extra mile to meet the requirements of the scholarships for which we are most grateful” said Dorothy Saul-Pooley, Master of the Honourable Company of Air Pilots. “We wish all our scholarship winners well and look forward to hearing how they progress throughout the summer.”
ATPL Ground School Scholarship
The CATS ATPL Ground School Scholarship has been awarded to Courtney Challis of Leatherhead, Surrey, who is no stranger to the Honourable Company of Air Pilots. In 2009, Courtney was awarded the Cadogan Scholarship along with the John Landymore Trophy. She currently works for NavTech in Surrey as an Aeronautical Analyst and is highly committed to becoming a Commercial Pilot.
Flying Instructor Bursaries 2014
Three bursaries have also been awarded to allow current flying instructors to continue professional development training.
The Air Pilots Trust havekindly sponsored a bursary for training for the removal of the ‘no applied instrument restriction’ for Peter Douet of Sandwich,Kent. Peter has completed his course at Atlantic Training in Coventry, where he is currently working part time as a Flight Instructor.
In addition, thanks to a generous donation from the Air Pilots Benevolent Fund, Sion Maghsoodi and Michael Simmons were both successful in gaining Continued Professional Development Bursaries, providing financial support towards removal of Multi Engine Instructor restrictions. They are both Flying Instructors at Booker Aviation, based at Wycombe Air Park in Buckinghamshire, where they are undergoing their training.
Further funds for the Continued Professional Development of current Flying Instructors will be available towards the end of the summer and applicants are invited to look at the Company website for further information: https://www.airpilots.org/career-matters/bursaries/
