BWPA Motion Flight Simulator Bursaries launched
Coronavirus has changed the world and has particularly impacted on the aviation industry.
I have spent the past two months in talks with several major airline representatives, many of whom are wondering if their airline will survive through to 2021. I have also met with corporate pilots, hearing about their new working arrangements and potential future hardships, including the latest deals and redundancies. Despite these challenging times, I have never before felt such camaraderie in our industry.
In this spirit, the entire BWPA committee are keen to support our members who have been affected by the pandemic. We are pleased to announce special BWPA Motion Flight Simulator Bursaries, which will be available to BWPA members affected by COVID-19, whether they be redundant, furloughed or a newly trained CPL/fATPL needing to keep their skills fresh.
We are offering twelve bursaries, each for two hours of simulator training with Motion Flight. These will be awarded to the applicants who, in the opinion of the selection panel, show the most need for assistance in their continuity training. The selection panel will comprise of representatives from the BWPA and Motion Flight. Details of the bursary, and the application form, can be found on our website. Applications close 19 October 2020.
Motion Flight, SimAir737, VA Airline Training Ltd and Virtual Aerospace have also made generously-discounted offers to BWPA members for simulator training, the details of which are also available on our ‘sim bursaries’ page. These cover a broad range of pilot skill sets, and we encourage members to take advantage of these offers.
Our Scholarship Coordinator recently visited the Motion Flight premises at Gatwick and was given a tour of the COVID-secure facility by Managing Director Alan Carter. The Motion Flight team are ‘pilots working for pilots’, who are supporting others affected by COVID-19 by helping to keep them current and minimise skills fade. Their fixed-base Boeing 737-800 simulator and highly-experienced team of instructors support all levels of commercial pilots, from newly qualified fATPL cadets right through to experienced line pilots. Alan Carter speaks enthusiastically about the company. “For those visiting us, we have a secure car park at the rear of the building, and we personally collect those travelling by train,” he adds. “The session does not start until the pilots are fully happy and settled in. Our aim is to help, guide and instruct, and ensure that we can give at least 100%.”
We look forward to receiving your bursary applications.
Sharon Nicholson – BWPA Chairwoman