BWPA scholarships update
The weather this year has not been kind to aviators. But, despite the gloom, the rain and the wind, occasional glimpses of sunshine and blue skies have meant that many of our 2023 BWPA Scholarship winners have been making fantastic progress. Here is a brief recap of what three of last year’s winners have been up to.
Lily Sanders-Page
Lily, winner of the BWPA Gerry Cook Flying Start Scholarship, recently undertook 14 flights with a total flight time of 3 hours 33 minutes at Devon and Somerset Gliding Club. Her training is going well and, in August, she had the opportunity to meet Caroline Cook, who sponsored the scholarship.
Amanda Harrison
Amanda, winner of the BWPA Dorothy Saul-Pooley Flying high Scholarship, has been honing her already amazing flying skills with learning complex aerobatic manoeuvres in her aim to become an aerobatic rating instructor. Alongside this, she has been promoting her newly written book Solo2Darwin.
Bev Reardon
Bev, winner of a BWPA SkyDemon Flying Start Scholarship, has recently started her microlight training in a Eurostar and is loving every minute while busily studying for her ground exams. You can read more about this in a recent article on the BWPA website.
We are proud of all our scholarship winners and wish them every success, whether they are working towards a professional career or flying for pleasure. We are delighted that so many are giving back and supporting the aviation community.
We also thank those winners who have supported the BWPA with volunteering, whether it’s helping run a stand at an event or taking on a role in running the organisation. The BWPA is run solely by volunteers. So, if you would like to help, please don’t be shy, reach out!
Every single scholarship applicant, every single scholarship winner, every single scholarship sponsor, in fact every single individual who shows an interest in the aims and mission of the BWPA helps encourage and support all women in aviation.
Our next round of BWPA scholarships
Looking forward, what are our scholarship plans, we hear you ask. As many of you will be aware, we are heading towards a very special year in 2025. 11 March sees our 70th anniversary since the inauguration of the BWPA, yes that’s right, 70 years!
We have lots planned for this anniversary, including the launch of our next round of scholarships. Keep an eye on our website and social media to be the first to hear about our special plans.
If you would like to be a sponsor in 2025, there is still time; I would love to hear from you.
Remember that, to apply for a BWPA scholarship, you must be a member. To find out more, visit the member page of the website or come and chat to a member of the team at one of the aviation events we attend.
Sam Blackwell – BWPA Scholarships Coordinator
