LAA and Pooleys offer £1,500 for first solo

A one-off prize of £1,500 to assist a student pilot to fly solo has been announced by the Light Aircraft Association (LAA) and flight equipment company Pooleys.

The ‘Spring Solo’ bursary celebrates Pooleys’ 65th anniversary in 2022 and is aimed at an aspiring pilot of any age or background.

All a candidate needs to do is answer, in 250 words, the question: “Why do I want to fly?” The best response will secure the pilot the bursary.

The winning recipient will nominate the flying school of their choice and the prize money will be lodged with the school to contribute to their costs of flying training.  Any future flying or ground instruction, the costs of medicals and/or licensing will be payable by the student.

This one-off opportunity is open to budding pilots of all ages, whether they are an LAA member or not and it is being offered only between 1st and 31st March.

Apply to [email protected], with the e-mail header ‘Spring Solo’.

A judging panel will meet in early April to select the winner – which means that person could be in the pilot’s seat by the end of the month.

“One’s first solo is an iconic milestone for any pilot,” says LAA chief executive Steve Slater.

“We want to celebrate Pooleys’ anniversary by offering someone that opportunity. The candidate does not need to be an LAA member and it is not just a ‘young person’s bursary’, as there are many other such initiatives out there. This is aimed at someone who will be a worthy beneficiary regardless of age.”

Sebastian Pooley, managing director at Pooleys added, “For seven decades Pooleys Flight Equipment has been serving the aviation community and has also given back to that very community that supports us. On our 65th anniversary we wanted to team up with the LAA to support the work that they do and to offer an opportunity for an individual to get involved in the world of aviation.

“We are confident that this bursary will enable a worthy candidate the chance to take full advantage of their flight training. We very much look forward to reading the applications.”

As well as the bursary funding, the winner will be given a starter kit of pilot training materials by Pooleys worth £250, they and their chosen flying school will each receive a year’s subscription to the LAA and all entrants will receive the Association’s latest ‘Light Aviation’ magazine.

Light Aircraft Association