29 April 2024
Would you, or someone you know, like to get thoroughly involved with vintage aircraft? Not just flying them but looking after them, maintaining and fettling.
Here’s the ideal opportunity to get started: The Thomas Castle Aviation Heritage Scholarship (TCAHS) trust will open applications for its annual scholarships on 1 May.
There are five scholarships available. Each scholarship recipient will receive five hours of instruction on a de Havilland Tiger Moth at the trust’s Sywell base.
The aircraft is a 1941 Tiger Moth, registration G-ANTE, better known as ‘Tom’s Tiger’. The TCAHS trust was formed in 2019 by Ian Castle following the loss of his son, Thomas, in an aerobatic training accident.
Thomas Castle Aviation Heritage Scholarship de Havilland DH.82a Tiger Moth II G-ANTE over Pitsford Water near Sywell with Richard Grace
Ian explained, “Thomas used to look after it, maintaining and cleaning it – spending time ensuring the aircraft was in fine fettle almost every day. I wanted to find a way to do something in his memory and to keep his legacy alive.
“The Trust came about because Thomas was so enthusiastic about all aspects of aviation, but particularly vintage aviation. The thought that came to mind was to form a trust around ‘Tango-Echo’, which was effectively Thomas’ aeroplane, and to let people around his age have the opportunity to fly a vintage aircraft.”
The Tiger Moth is a culture shock from modern light aircraft. It’s easy to fly but hard to fly well. To date, nearly a dozen scholarship recipients have now soloed in ‘Tom’s Tiger’ thanks to the TCAHS.
Several organisations are giving support including the Light Aircraft Association (LAA), Ultimate Warbird Flights, Vintage Engine Technology (Vintec), de Havilland Support, Vintage Fabrics and Aircraft Coverings.
The scholarships are open to pilots holding a current PPL aged between 18 and 35 who want to get involved with vintage aircraft.
Ian added, “It’s not a scholarship for people who want to come along, do a few hours, and move on. We’re looking for people who want to take this sport or this industry forward like Thomas wanted to. We’re keen to find people who want to get involved with the aeroplane as opposed to [just] flying it.”
Applications open on 1 May via the trust’s website. Deadline for entries is 31 May.
