16 September 2024
Finding the money to pay for pilot training is not easy but one route is Air bp’s Sterling Pilot Scholarship. It’s one of the annual scholarships offered by the Honourable Company of Air Pilots (HCAP).
The Sterling Pilot Scholarship started in 2015 to support aspiring young aviators to achieve their Private Pilot’s Licence (PPL) and pursue a career in aviation. It also meets one of Air bp’s aims to promote diversity, equity and inclusion across aviation.
Over the new few days we’ll look back at three Air bp pilot scholars who have now completed their PPL to find out what the scholarship meant to them.
The first female Air bp scholar, Zoe Burnett, completed her PPL eight years ago in 2016 when she was just 17.
“I grew up in Aberdeen close to an airport, so was used to seeing aircraft flying around,” said Zoe. “But it was after being flown on an air experience with the Air Cadets that I knew being a pilot was the career for me. I just wasn’t sure how I was going to fund my training.”
While researching pathways into a career in aviation through HCAP, she came across Air bp’s Sterling pilot scholarship.
“Funding a flying career is a huge challenge, which is why opportunities such as the Sterling pilot scholarship are critical in enabling more young people to learn to fly when it simply wouldn’t otherwise be possible,” added Zoe.
Zoe completed her PPL at Tayside Aviation in Dundee, Scotland and – much to the envy of her friends – had learnt to fly an aeroplane before she could drive a car.
Achieving her PPL was the first step in her pilot training. Two years later at 18, Zoe was accepted on Flybe’s cadet scheme at FTE Jerez in southern Spain.
Zoe is now flying an A330. Photo: Airbus
“I lived there for around 14 months and completed my commercial flight training, before being employed as a First Officer for Flybe flying a 78-seat turboprop – the Dash 8 Q400 – at the age of 19.”
Unfortunately Flybe went out of business but Zoe’s experience as a pilot and her determination to continue flying saw her gain employment with Scottish carrier, Loganair, flying passengers around the Highlands and Islands.
Zoe has since joined a charter company and at just 23–years old is currently flying an Airbus A330.
Reflecting on her flying career to date, Zoe said that her first solo flight as a pilot scholar was a highlight of her journey, as was the time she flew her parents and grandparents for the first time.
“The first time I flew solo to another airport was also a milestone in my PPL,” she added.
Zoe has come a long way since completing her PPL but she hasn’t forgotten the opportunity and foundation the scholarship afforded her.
“It gave me the confidence I needed to achieve my goal as a commercial pilot and I am immensely grateful for that opportunity.
“I would encourage any young person looking to pursue a career as a pilot to explore scholarship opportunities.”
Honourable Company of Air Pilots
Coming next: Max Ellison, whose ambition is to join the Royal Air Force (RAF) as a fast jet pilot.
Followed by: Elise Hammond who is working as a Combined Cadet Force Adjutant and is also training to join the RAF. Later, after her RAF career, Elise plans to complete her commercial pilot’s licence and fly commercially.
Miriam Chang, VP marketing, strategy and sustainability at Air bp, said, “The success stories of Zoe, Max and Elise are great examples on how the programme is helping our Air bp pilot scholars advance their flying careers.
“I am very proud of our Sterling Pilot Scholarship program that has already supported nine aspiring aviators since it was first established and is named after our globally recognised fuel payment card, the Sterling card.”
