13 flying scholarships announced by BWPA

+VIDEO The British Women Pilots’ Association (BWPA) has launched its 2021 aviation scholarships provided by the BWPA, CATS Aviation, Bristol Groundschool, Easy PPL, 624squadron.com and Helicentre.

The BWPA offers scholarships every year to support women in the UK in achieving their flying dreams, underlying its key aim to promote their training and employment within the sector. The scholarships are launched today (8 March) in recognition of International Women’s Day.

BWPA Chairwoman Sharon Nicholson said, “Only 5-6% of professional pilots in the UK and worldwide are women, and the percentages in general aviation are similar. Much of this is due to lack of information and opportunity.

“One of our stated key aims as an organisation is ‘to promote the training and employment of women in aviation, and the promotion of practical schemes to assist women to gain air licences.’

“For this reason, a proportion of our membership fees is used to fund scholarships. In addition, we actively work with partner organisations to extend what we are able to offer, and so help to raise awareness and aspirations.

“This year we are delighted to be offering 13 aviation scholarships. These will be awarded to the most impressive and inspiring applicants with the hope that these scholarships will support them in achieving their ambitions and continuing to inspire others.”

More than 100 women from across the UK applied for the scholarships in 2020.

This year, applicants will be asked to submit information on their current aviation experience, what they enjoy most about flying, why they believe they deserve the award and how they would use the award if successful. They will be shortlisted by a panel of judges who will determine which of the candidates show the most promise for their future flying.

These awards will help scholarship winners in various ways, including gaining their first qualifications, starting their training to become commercial pilots, or assisting them in finding a first job with an airline.

Laura Fice, last year’s winner of a BWPA Bristol Groundschool course, said, “The scholarship was a vote of confidence in me. It is fantastic to have it amongst my achievements and to have that support from the BWPA. To have someone invest in me is such a great support.”

Laura Mayer, left, is a previous winner of the BWPA scholarships. Top: Maleha Khan, another winner. Photos & video: BWPA

The BWPA Scholarships 2021

• Three BWPA Flying Start Scholarships of £1500 each are for new, inexperienced pilots to gain their first qualifications.
• Two BWPA Flying High Scholarships of £1000 each for licensed pilots who wish to gain further qualifications.
• One BWPA CATS Aviation Training Scholarship for the full value of an Airline Transport Pilot Licence (ATPL) (A) ground school course.
• Two BWPA Bristol Groundschool ATPL Scholarships, each for half the value of an ATPL (A or H) course.
• Two BWPA EasyPPL Ground School Scholarships, each for the full value of a ground school course.
• One BWPA 624squadron.com Scholarship of £1250 for a female aviation enthusiast for her own special mission and flying adventure, donated in proud memory of 624 (Special Duties) Squadron Royal Air Force.
• One BWPA Helicentre Aviation Scholarship of £10,000 towards an integrated CPL(H).
• One BWPA Helicentre Aviation Scholarship of £975 towards a two-day introductory helicopter training course.
• STOP PRESS: More scholarships added 10 March: Two BWPA Flight Deck Wingman Scholarships, to cover the full cost of an Airline Assessment Preparation Course and a Pilot Interview and Group Exercise eBook.

BWPA Scholarships – apply here