31 December 2018
London Biggin Hill Airport flight scholarship student Laura McCann, 25, has won the Hilda Hewlett Trophy from the British Woman Pilots’ Association.
The Hilda Hewlett trophy is awarded annually to a female British pilot aged between 16 and 25, who has shown initiative and commitment in gaining her Private Pilot Licence (PPL) and who, through her actions and example, is an inspiration to her peer group.
Laura began training for her PPL in June with London Biggin Hill-based EFG School as part of the 2018 Nick Davidson Memorial Flying Scholarships (NDMFS) scheme. She began working at the airport as a Handling Agent earlier this year. For the past three years Laura has also been an RAF Reservist, and has previously won the Beryl Markham Trophy for determination and commitment.
Laura said, “I’d like to send huge thanks to the British Women Pilots’ Association for awarding me the Hilda Hewlett trophy. It’s an honour to have been selected. With the support of these inspirational women behind me, I feel more confident taking the next steps towards my dream of becoming a bush pilot, working in remote areas of Africa, Australia or New Zealand.”
JACKIE MOGGRIDGE CUP This trophy is awarded to a British woman pilot for achieving excellent qualifications in her chosen career: Sue Tuddenham
Sue’s flying career started with a taster flight sponsored by the BWPA and since then she has demonstrated determination and tenacity to achieve her aim of flying commercially.
By her own admission she is the ‘scholarship queen’, having successfully applied for scholarships to help fund her training and is now a First Officer flying for a private charter company operating executive jets.
MURIEL SELLS TROPHY This award is made to a BWPA member who has supported the Association either by regularly attending events or by working in the background to further the association’s aims: Keith Clemo
For a number of years Keith has provided extensive support to the BWPA. He has assisted with the organisation of and regularly attended our events. He has also assisted with the production of the BWPA newsletter and continues to support the editor, Rosemary.
BWPA SPECIAL RECOGNITION AWARD To be awarded in recognition of active support of women in aviation: Marnie Munns and Kanchana Gamage
Marnie is a Senior Captain with easyJet and has been instrumental in the Amy Johnson Initiative to increase the number of female pilots recruited to easyJet. She has tirelessly given her own time to promote this initiative and to support the Aviatrix Project and the BWPA, going in to schools to raise awareness of the opportunities in aviation available to girls, whilst maintaining a full flying roster and a busy family life.
Kanchana Gamage, above, started the Aviatrix Project to inspire and encourage women to take to the skies. In partnership with BWPA and a number of aviation and STEM organisations,the main aims of this project are to raise aspirations of young girls and to promote aviation as an exciting and accessible career choice.
Kanchana has established and managed the Aviatrix Project in her own time, despite being exceptionally busy as a full-time Head Teacher and a mother of two young children.
CHAIRWOMAN’S CHALLENGE TROPHY Is awarded to the competition entry judged to be the most interesting or unusual navigation flight on a theme of ‘1918 vs 2018’. The competition is judged on the basis of flight logs, photographs, accuracy of times and other supporting material submitted by entrants. The judges also take into account the experience of the pilots: Rosemary Clemo
JACK BRACKENBURY PHOTOGRAPHIC COMPETITION This trophy was first awarded in 2004 in memory of Jack and to encourage members to record our events as he used to. Entries may include photos sent in for the newsletter and website as well as the archives and the competition itself. (No citation written in the book): Jessica Fonseca De Melo
