Each year, the BWPA offers a number of scholarships its members. Other associations listed below may also offer scholarships to support flying endeavours. This list is by no means exhaustive, and applicants will need to check they meet the requirements for each scholarship before applying. It is also worth checking with your local flying school to see if they offer scholarships.
If you know of any scholarship opportunities that are not listed below, please get in touch so we can share them.
Aerobility
Aerobility is a registered charity offering disabled people, without exception, the opportunity to fly an aeroplane. Scholarships are available to further flying training or qualifications.
The Air League
The Air League awards over 100 scholarships and bursaries each year, for the benefit of future pilots, aspiring aerospace engineers and other aviation professionals.
British Gliding Association (BGA)
The BGA offers a range of scholarships and bursaries through its registered charity Launchpoint. Launchpoint aims to provide opportunities to experience gliding, and to facilitate participants at all stages to expand their horizons in the sport.
The British Microlight Aircraft Association (BMAA)
The BMAA offers a Young Person’s Flying Bursary to candidates aged 15 to 20 years old, to encourage young people to learn to fly.
Cotswold Airport Scholarships
The Cotswold Airport Aviation Scholarship is open to candidates aged 15 to 18 years old who are residents within Gloucestershire, Wiltshire, Oxfordshire, Berkshire, Bristol & Avon and BANES. The scholarship offers hands-on experience across a broad range of aviation areas and includes time flying different types of aircraft.
FAST (Female Aviators Sticking Together)
FAST is a global network and non-profit organisation that awards scholarships to its members and inspires the next generation of women pilots.
Flying Scholarships for Disabled People (FSDP)
FSDP offers various flying scholarships each year to candidates aged 18 to 70 years old.
The Honourable Company of Air Pilots (HCAP)
The HCAP offers a range of full scholarships for PPL(A) and FI(R) each year, as well as gliding scholarships. There are also opportunities on offer for ATPL groundschool studies and Jet Orientation Courses. The HCAP also list a number of other organisations that provide scholarships.
The Light Aircraft Association (LAA)
The LAA offers bursaries for pilots under 30 years of age who are already in training for their PPL. It also offers financial support in the later stages of training to supplement personal funding.
The Royal Aero Club Trust
The Royal Aero Club Trust provides a range of bursaries to young people aged 14 to 24 years as part of its Flying for Youth program. The bursaries comprise all types of air sports and aviation-related activities.
Women in Aviation International (WAI)
WAI offer a range of scholarships to its members. Although it is a US-based organisation, it also offers scholarships for international members. WAI has also published its top tips for a winning scholarship application.
The Fleet Air Arm Officers Association (FAAOA)
The FAAOA Aviation Scholarship Trust awards gliding scholarships to young people who are interested in pursuing a career in the Fleet Air Arm of the Royal Navy.
The Nick Davidson Memorial Flying Scholarship Trust
The Nick Davidson Memorial Flying Scholarship was established in 2012 as a legacy of Airbus Captain Nick Davidson. It provides funding for young aviators to complete a PPL.
The Royal Aeronautical Society (RAeS)
The RAeS offers a range of scholarships and bursaries to support students undertaking studies in aerospace and other aviation-related fields.
Royal Air Force Association (RAFA)
The RAF Association awards several flying scholarships each year to outstanding young people. The scholarships are available to RAF Air Cadets, Girls Venture Corps Air Cadets, and members of the Air Scouts and Air Explorer Scouts.
Vintage Aircraft Club
The Vintage Aircraft Club offers an annual Liz Inwood Taildragger Scholarship to support a qualified pilot under 36 years of age to achieve a taildragger conversion.
Women in Corporate Aviation (WCA)
WCA is a non-profit mentoring association for professionals in corporate and business aviation. It offers an annual scholarships programme.
The Worshipful Company of Coachmakers and Coach Harness Makers
The Sir Geoffrey de Havilland Flying Scholarship enables a young person, aged 18 to 30 years old, to gain a Private Pilot’s Licence in the classic and vintage de Havilland DH82A Tiger Moths of the Cambridge Flying Group at Cambridge Airport.
