3 December 2023
Winners of the 2023 British Women Pilots’ Association scholarships include a paraglider pilot who took up fixed-wing flying after an accident, a woman with cerebral palsy and a private pilot who wants to fly seaplanes commercially.
They are three of the 16 winners of the BWPA’s scholarships which were announced at an awards ceremony in Preson, Lancs on Sunday.
Bev Reardon won a BWPA SkyDemon Flying Start Scholarship. Bev was a paraglider pilot but, after an accident during take-off left her with fitness challenges, she decided to try fixed wing flight. She has started training for a National Private Pilot Licence on a three-axis microlight, which the scholarship will help her achieve. Bev also volunteers for the BWPA.
Elaine Boyd also won a BWPA SkyDemon Flying Start Scholarship. Elaine has cerebral palsy and looks forward to achieving her PPL as a way to break down misconceptions about her disability. She approaches life with the motto, ‘don’t be pushed by your problems; be led by your dreams.’ Flying is her dream, and the scholarship will help make it come true.
Elaine Boyd refuses to let cerebral palsy get in the way
Kate Lenny won a BWPA Flying High Scholarship for licensed pilots who wish to gain further qualifications. Based in Scotland, Kate’s goal is to fly seaplanes commercially. The scholarship will help her gain her Air Transport Pilot Licence (ATPL).
Kate Lenny is aiming to fly seaplanes as a commercial pilot
The complete list of scholarship winners:
Heidi Dennis is another winner of a BWPA scholarship
The BWPA offers scholarships every year to support women in the UK in achieving their flying goals, underlying its key aim to promote their training and employment within the sector.
More than 110 women from across the UK applied for the scholarships by submitting 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.
Samantha Blackwell-Heard, BWPA Scholarship Coordinator, said, “It has been overwhelming to see the quantity and quality of applications submitted by our members and the generosity of our sponsors. I look forward to following the winners’ progress in the coming months, from those individuals just starting out, to those wishing to gain further experience, including those who aspire to fly professionally.”
