Scholarship Winners 2021
In 2021 we were able to award 19 scholarships to female pilots. Hear from our 2021 winners directly about what their scholarships mean to them.
Amy Dewhurst – BWPA Flying Start Scholarship
A financial scholarship for new, inexperienced pilots to gain their first qualifications.
Amy will use her scholarship to continue her Private Pilot Licence (PPL) following a break in her training due to COVID-19 restrictions.
On completion of her PPL, she hopes to progress on to private jet or cargo flying, and to encourage and inspire other women to take up aviation as a career.
Yasmina El Sayed – BWPA Flying Start Scholarship
A financial scholarship for new, inexperienced pilots to gain their first qualifications.
Yasmina will use her scholarship to help finish her Private Pilot Licence (PPL).
She currently balances her flying ambitions alongside a career playing tennis at an international level, and hopes to inspire other young women in both aviation and sport. On completion of her PPL, she hopes to start tailwheel and aerobatics training.
Rachel Harvey – BWPA Flying Start Scholarship
A financial scholarship for new, inexperienced pilots to gain their first qualifications.
Rachel will use her scholarship to complete her Private Pilot Licence (PPL)
She has been interested in aviation from a young age, but it was a trial flight in 2019 that made her realise that aviation could be a career as well as a passion. On completion of her PPL, she hopes to progress towards airline flying.
Alison Field – BWPA Flying Start Scholarship
A financial scholarship for new, inexperienced pilots to gain their first qualifications. Sponsored by SkyDemon.
Alison will use her scholarship to help finish her Private Pilot Licence (PPL).
She has recently achieved her first solo, and her interest in aviation encompasses both flying and engineering. She works at the Scottish Gliding Centre and is an active volunteer with the BWPA, the Aviatrix Project and the Scottish Air Ambulance. Once she has completed her PPL she hopes to progress on to a Commercial Pilot License.
Olivia Brown – BWPA Flying High Scholarship
A financial scholarship for licensed pilots who wish to gain further qualifications.
Olivia will use her scholarship towards achieving her night and instrument ratings.
Having been a dedicated cadet member of the RAF Air Cadets for over five years, Olivia is now looking forward to commencing her Airline Transport Pilot Licence in September this year with Leading Edge Aviation at Oxford Airport. Her goal is to become a commercial airline pilot.
Katie Stokes – BWPA Flying High Scholarship
A financial scholarship for licensed pilots who wish to gain further qualifications.
Katie will use her scholarship to develop her gliding, covering entry and launch costs as she begins taking part in competitions.
She aims to compete internationally and has secured a place on the Women’s World Gliding Championship Squad, and hopes to one day earn a place on the team. She is also interested in instructing and encouraging other women to take up gliding as an entry route into aviation.
Holly Harris – BWPA Helicentre Aviation CPL(H) Scholarship
A scholarship to subsidise the cost of an integrated CPL(H) with Helicentre Aviation.
Holly would love to become a search and rescue or helicopter emergency medical service pilot.
Having fallen in love with gliding at 14 years old, Holly is currently an instructor at the Midland Gliding Club. She is looking forward to starting her Commercial Pilot Licence (Helicopter) and meeting like-minded people.
Hannah McCann – BWPA Helicentre Aviation Introductory Scholarship
A scholarship to subsidise the cost of a two-day introductory helicopter training course with Helicentre Aviation.
Hannah sees this scholarship as invaluable to start her career as a pilot.
Ten years after first applying to become a military pilot, Hannah has recently been accepted into the Fleet Air Arm. Hannah loves that roles for military pilots are varied, complex and often deliver life-saving services, and her goal is to one day be a test pilot.
Tabitha Shaw – BWPA Helicentre Aviation Introductory Scholarship
A scholarship to subsidise the cost of a two-day introductory helicopter training course with Helicentre Aviation.
Tabitha will use her scholarship to gain helicopter experience as she begins her training towards becoming a military pilot.
While part of Oxford University Air Squadron at RAF Benson, Tabitha was inspired by female role models to become a helicopter pilot. She would like to similarly inspire younger generations of females to succeed in aviation.
Sue Sheikh – BWPA Helicentre Aviation Introductory Scholarship
A scholarship to subsidise the cost of a two-day introductory helicopter training course with Helicentre Aviation.
Sue was motivated to become a helicopter pilot after experiencing rotary flying during her Royal Navy career.
She has participated in a range of exercises, including being winched onto the flight deck of a Royal Navy ship and as a passenger on a military helicopter as it transited through London airspace. She is now looking forward to taking the controls herself.
Rachel Calvert – BWPA Flight Deck Wingman Scholarship
A scholarship for the full cost of a Flight Deck Wingman Airline Assessment Preparation Course, and a Pilot Interview and Group Exercise eBook.
Rachel believes this scholarship will be invaluable support to her finding her first commercial pilot role.
Rachel loves the challenge of flying and says that anything is possible – she achieved her first gliding solo only six days after her first flight and expanded her fixed wing experience by visiting 24 different UK airfields while building her solo flying hours.
Grace McKeller – BWPA Flight Deck Wingman Scholarship
A scholarship for the full cost of a Flight Deck Wingman Airline Assessment Preparation Course, and a Pilot Interview and Group Exercise eBook.
Grace will use her scholarship to help develop the skills she needs to secure her first job as a commercial pilot.
Grace believes that having role models at a young age is important for encouraging young girls to consider a career in aviation. She runs a podcast to share her love of aviation and demonstrate the variety of roles in the industry.
Charlotte Hill – BWPA Easy PPL Ground School Scholarship
A scholarship for the full value of an Easy PPL ground school course.
Charlotte looks forward to using her scholarship to make the link between theoretical engineering studies and practical flying experience.
Having discovered her passion for aviation while completing her degree in mechanical engineering, Charlotte now aims to become a commercial pilot. Her main motivation in flying is the challenge of successfully learning something new, which she feels there are infinite opportunities for in aviation.
Jayne Stubbs – BWPA Easy PPL Ground School Scholarship
A scholarship for the full value of an Easy PPL ground school course.
Jayne is loving every minute of working towards her Private Pilot Licence.
She enjoys the rigorous approach to safety, planning and decision making in flying, and although it can be a steep learning curve she finds it exhilarating.
Jayne is proud to be told by staff at her flying school that she is an inspiration to other mature women who may dream of learning to fly.
Rebekah Yore – BWPA Bristol Groundschool ATPL Scholarship
A scholarship for half the value of the Bristol Groundschool ATPL (A or H) course.
Working in science and humanitarianism, Rebekah aims to pilot scientific and humanitarian missions in and around disaster zones, to contribute to our understanding of extreme weather and to assist with crisis response operations.
Inspired by her first full-scale humanitarian response mission in 2017, Rebekah has seen first-hand the ways aviation can enhance and saves lives. Her ambitions are to find the perfect way to combine her love for flying with a social and environmental purpose.
Gemma Jefferies – BWPA Bristol Groundschool ATPL Scholarship
A scholarship for half the value of the Bristol Groundschool ATPL (A or H) course.
Gemma aims to complete her Flight Instructor Rating to further develop her skills as both a pilot and a teacher.
Passionate about teaching and sharing her enthusiasm for aviation, Gemma loves putting her theoretical mathematics and physics knowledge into practice through flying. She strives to encourage women to become a part of the aviation community and funded a scholarship in 2020 to support three women to learn to glide.
Daisy Bing – BWPA CATS Aviation Training Scholarship
A scholarship for the full cost of the CATS Aviation Training CPL or ATPL (A or H) distance learning theory course.
Daisy will use her scholarship to work towards her goal of becoming a commercial pilot.
Having started flying at age 14 and achieving her first solo at 16, Daisy completed her Private Pilot Licence and night rating in 2020, and is aiming to start her Airline Transport Pilot Licence alongside her final year of university. She is her happiest when flying and wants to learn as much as possible to be the best pilot that she can be.
Fiona Smith – BWPA 624squadron.com Scholarship
A financial scholarship for a female aviation enthusiast for her own special mission and flying adventure.
Fiona’s special mission is in honour of British Special Operations Executive (SOE) agent Noor Inayat Khan. It will mark the association between the British World War II SOE and the 624 (Special Duties) Squadron, by retracing the route to France taken by Noor. Fiona plans to fly to Le Vieux Briollay, where Noor was located as part of the resistance effort, and lay a wreath marking 77 years since Noor’s execution at Dachau concentration camp.
Scholarship Winners 2020
In 2020 we were able to award eleven scholarships to female pilots. Hear from our 2020 winners directly about what their scholarships mean to them.
Daisy Bing – BWPA Flying Start Scholarship
A financial scholarship for new, inexperienced pilots to gain their first qualifications.
Daisy Bing will use her scholarship to finish her Private Pilot’s Licence (PPL).
Her favourite part of her flight training so far has been the excitement of learning the basics and being able to fly solo before she could drive. “I love learning new things, and there’s so much to learn about the art of flying,” she says.
Passionate about defence and security studies, Daisy is currently working towards a BA (Hons) in War, Peace and International Relations at the University of Reading. Daisy would love to become an RAF pilot, flying the A400M.
Maleha Khan – BWPA Flying Start Scholarship
A financial scholarship for new, inexperienced pilots to gain their first qualifications.
Maleha Khan will use her scholarship to finish her Private Pilot’s Licence (PPL) and is loving the “constant excitement” of her initial training.
She is studying Aeronautics and Astronautics Engineering at the University of Southampton and says that undertaking this degree “makes sure I will always be involved in aviation”.
Maleha’s aspirations are sky high – she would like to train as an RAF fast jet pilot and aspires to become an astronaut. “I just want to keep going and this scholarship is a step towards my next dream coming true,” she says.
Laura Mayer – BWPA Flying High Scholarship
A financial scholarship for licensed pilots who wish to gain further qualifications.
Laura Mayer, an experienced flying instructor, will put the scholarship towards her Instrument Rating Instructor (IRI) course.
While completing her Private Pilot’s Licence (PPL), Laura’s flying school saw she had a talent for teaching, so suggested she become a flying instructor. Laura had initially considered becoming a primary school teacher, so combining her passions has been a dream come true.
Laura loves being with and supporting her students, and is clear that there are no stupid questions. “If they want to ask me what the white fluffy things in the sky are, then that’s completely fine,” she says.
Hannah Nobbs – BWPA Flying High Scholarship
A financial scholarship for licensed pilots who wish to gain further qualifications.
Hannah Nobbs will use her scholarship to help fund her helicopter multi engine instrument training. Her ultimate dream would be to combine being an engineer with flying as an air ambulance or coastguard pilot. Hannah not only aims to fly helicopters commercially, but also to fly one she helped design.
She was involved in the development of two aircraft, the AW169 and the AW189, and says that “to fly these, having been part of the design process, would be amazing”.
Hannah is a Trustee for the Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance and works for the CAA as an Airworthiness Policy Specialist for Commercial SpaceFlight.
Lucy Wootton – BWPA Flying High Scholarship
A financial scholarship for licensed pilots who wish to gain further qualifications.
Lucy Wootton is upgrading from a Light Aircraft Pilot’s Licence (LAPL) to a Private Pilot’s Licence (PPL) and will use her scholarship to help her finish this. She would also like to become a tug pilot at her gliding club and eventually fly commercially.
After a trial flight in a glider, Lucy knew that aviation was the route she wanted to follow. She says, “This scholarship takes me to the next step of the path I want to go on. It’s exciting to have a way forward”.
Fiona Smith – BWPA CATS Ground School Scholarship
A scholarship for the full value of the CATS Aviation Training, Luton ground school ATPL (A) course.
Fiona Smith will use her scholarship to help her reach her aim of working for an airline.
She is a committed and long-term fan of aviation and her ambition is to become a commercial pilot before she is 40.
Fiona says, “This scholarship is a vote of confidence – I am now financially secure and mentally grounded enough to do it, and to have someone invest in me is such a great support”.
Currently completing a Masters’ in Contemporary History and Politics at Birkbeck, University of London, Fiona’s dissertation will be on women in the space race.
Laura Fice – BWPA Bristol Groundschool Scholarship
A scholarship for half the value of the Bristol Groundschool ATPL (A) course.
Laura Fice is aiming to complete her ATPL groundschool and then gain her Commercial Pilot Licence.
She would also like to become a flying instructor to teach and inspire other women who would like a career in aviation.
Laura says, “This scholarship is a boost to my confidence and will drive me to keep going. It is great to get validation that I am on the right track”.
Laura also hopes that changing perceptions around gender in aviation can be achieved by increasing the exposure and profile of female pilots.
Emma Wooledge – BWPA Bristol Groundschool Scholarship
A scholarship for half the value of the Bristol Groundschool ATPL (A) course.
Emma Wooledge aims to complete her ATPL and then fly commercially for an airline. She would also like to become an instructor.
Emma was 22 weeks pregnant when she had her first flying lesson. After successfully landing the aeroplane by herself, her instructor told her she would “be mad not to do a PPL”, so she started when her son was 16 weeks old.
She has been inspired by female role models in aviation while working as cabin crew. Her late father also had a passion for aviation and she would like to make him proud by achieving this dream in his memory.
Pernia Zeb – BWPA Wings Alliance Scholarship
A scholarship for the full value of a Wings Alliance Airline Pilot Assessment.
Pernia Zeb is well on her way to completing her Airline Transport Pilot Licence (ATPL) and would like to use her scholarship to help her secure her first airline job.
She says that “many people are unaware of how to begin in aviation” and that she would like to encourage other women to pursue a flying career.
Pernia has a BSc Hons in Air Transport with Private Pilot Training from Buckinghamshire New University. She found this route beneficial as she learned about different parts of the aviation industry while also learning to fly.
Alison Field – BWPA Easy PPL Ground School Scholarship
A scholarship for the full value of an Easy PPL ground school course.
Alison Field is currently training at Perth Airport and plans to use her scholarship to finish her Private Pilot’s Licence (PPL).
“Flying has enhanced my life immeasurably. It has given me focus, appealed to my adventurous nature and taught me valuable life skills,” she says.
Once qualified, Alison plans to pursue further training, including a mountain flying course, so she can combine her love of flying with her passion for adventure. She is keen to make a career out of aviation and aspires to be a commercial pilot.
Alison is also an active volunteer with the Aviatrix Project and Scotland’s Charity Air Ambulance.
Steph Smith – BWPA Easy PPL Ground School Scholarship
A scholarship for the full value of an Easy PPL ground school course.
Steph Smith has been flying gliders since she was ten and will use her scholarship to start training for her Private Pilot’s Licence (PPL). Following that, she would like to gain her towing rating.
With a passion for old aircraft, Steph wants to use her PPL to fly “as many vintage aeroplanes as I can get my hands on”.
Steph is a Licenced Aircraft Engineer and currently working on the A400M for Airbus at RAF Brize Norton. She also volunteers as a STEM Ambassador and as a mentor to support women transferring to careers in aerospace engineering.
Scholarship Winners 2019
The BWPA offered seven scholarships in 2019.
BWPA Flying Start (£1000) for new, inexperienced pilots to gain their first qualifications.
Awarded to Fiona Hesler
BWPA Flying High (£1000) for licensed pilots who wish to gain further qualifications, take part in significant competitions, or undertake other suitable activities to help them further their personal flying aims.
Sharing the award are Tamara Leitan and Linda Crossland-Clarke
BWPA CATS CPL/ATPL Scholarship for the full value of the CATS Aviation Training, Luton ground school CPL/ATPL (A or H) course.
Awarded to Aeryn Parsons
Two BWPA Bristol Groundschool ATPL Scholarships, each for half the value of the Bristol Groundschool ATPL (A or H) course.
Awarded to Vanessa Bartlett and Tessa Morris-Paterson
Two BWPA Easy PPL Ground School Scholarships for new and inexperienced pilots towards gaining their PPL(A) ground school qualifications.
Awarded to Lara Greggs and Intisar Ahmed
The selection panel would like to thank all who applied, thank our sponsors and congratulate all our winners – we look forward to hearing of their progress.
Scholarship Winners 2018
The BWPA offered five scholarships in 2018.
The BWPA Air Total Flying Futures Scholarship – Corrine Dennis
Valued at of £1000, offered for a flying project which in the opinion of the selection panel described a realistic, feasible, well planned and interesting project which also had a high chance of completion. This award was kindly donated by Air Total.
Corrine is a BAeA competitor at Advanced Level, who owns, operates, displays and built her Pitts Special G-TWRL. Following five years spent building the Pitts, when flying had to take second place, Corrine will use the award to obtain suitable ground-to-air critique from one of the UK’s leading aerobatic trainers, to improve her accuracy and display artistry.
The BWPA Dame Margaret Joan Anstee Scholarship – Lauren Richardson (Wilson)
Valued at £500 and kindly donated by a BWPA member and her partner, for a female pilot who demonstrates the intention to lead a strongly aviation-related life. It was to be used towards gaining a qualification in any type of flying which the applicant could demonstrate was integral to those plans.
Lauren is a well-known display pilot, also with a Pitts Special, and has recently gained her CPL(A). She now plans to complete a multi-engine instrument rating, on the route to becoming a commercially qualified pilot.
The BWPA CATS CPL/ATPL (A or H) Scholarship – Rachelle Fays
Worth £1599 and kindly donated by CATS Aviation Training, Luton, to cover their ground school element for a CPL or ATPL (A) or (H).
Rachelle is a qualified Occupational Therapist, and currently works as a Flying Instructor. She plans to become an advanced instructor teaching the CPL syllabus and flight instructor courses, but has also not ruled out an airline post at some point in the future.
The BWPA BGS ATPL (A or H) Scholarships – Jessica DeMelo and Samantha Waller
Two scholarships, worth £1175 each, kindly donated by Bristol Groundschool, each to cover the cost of half their ground school element for an ATPL (A) or (H).
Jessica has a PPL and currently works for West Atlantic UK as a Senior Operations and Crewing Officer and is based at East Midlands Airport. Her current focus is to become a commercially qualified airline pilot.
Following a period in environmental management, Sam worked for the Red Bull Air Races. She is currently working as BA Cabin Crew to gain airline experience whilst undertaking commercial training, with the aim of becoming a commercial pilot. Her ambition is to become a captain in due course.
Scholarship Winners 2017
The BWPA offered seven scholarships in 2017.
BWPA Flying Start Scholarship – Abbigale Austin
A financial scholarship, worth £1000, to support a first flying qualification.
Abbigale is an artist and animator who, since her first flight, has become passionate about aviation, travels a long distance for her lessons whenever she can afford them, and will be using this award towards completing her PPL in fixed wing flying.
BWPA Flying High Scholarship – Zoe Mallam
A financial scholarship, worth £1000, for those who already have a flying qualification in any field, and to be used towards further qualifications in the same or different types of flying or further training or experience.
At only 17 years old, Zoe is already an experienced glider pilot and a Caroline Trust Ambassador raising funds for young people’s gliding. Zoe plans to use the award towards obtaining a powered aircraft licence with the longer term aim of operating sea planes and vintage aircraft.
The BWPA Air Total UK Flying Futures Scholarship – Claire Birch
A financial scholarship, worth £1000, and kindly donated by Air Total UK, for a qualified pilot for a project which is realistic, feasible, and well planned as well as being individual, interesting and ‘different’.
Previously an RAF officer and Tornado F3 fast jet navigator, Claire will use the award towards her detailed and very well-planned project of undertaking a ’round Britain’ flight visiting many new airfields as a part of building hours towards a commercial licence. She also plans to spend time en route to meet with schools and girls’ groups to raise awareness of the opportunities in aviation.
The BWPA Saul-Pooley Renewal or Revalidation Scholarship – Sue Tuddenham
An award of £500, kindly donated by Dorothy Saul-Pooley, BWPA member, flying instructor and examiner and previously the first woman Master of the Honourable Company of Air Pilots. Offered to support the renewal or revalidation of a licence or rating previously held in fixed wing or helicopter flying.
Sue, a commercial pilot currently working in the corporate sector as a First Officer flying the Citation C560XL/XLS, plans to use the award towards renewal of her recently expired SEP rating, aiming in future to provide experience flights to young people as a part of the BWPA supported Aviatrix Project.
The BWPA CATS CPL/ATPL (A or H) Scholarship – Samantha ‘C’
Worth £1599 and kindly donated by CATS Aviation, offered to cover their ground school element for a CPL or ATPL (A) or (H).
Sam has managed her own livery yard, is a qualified horse-riding instructor, and worked as an operations manager at Redhill Airfield where she completed her PPL and developed her love of flying. She is currently undertaking her MEP training and, as she very much enjoys teaching, now plans to complete her commercial licence to become a flying instructor.
The BWPA BGS ATPL (A or H) Scholarships – Sarah Reed and Amelie Windel
Two scholarships worth £1175 each and kindly donated by Bristol Groundschool, each to cover the cost of half their ground school element for an ATPL (A) or (H).
Sarah is a marine biologist currently working for the British Antarctic Survey at Rothera Research station and has diving and yachting qualifications. She also has gliding and fixed wing qualifications, has raced gliders, and now plans to obtain a commercial licence to enable her to fly professionally in remote regions.
Amelie obtained her PPL in Morocco and converted to a British PPL in 2011. Her passion is aerobatics and she has already flown in vario Aus competitions. She plans to obtain a commercial licence to enable her to instruct professionally, especially in aerobatics, with a focus on being a role model for women in aviation.
With a total of 86 applications this year, many of which were of an outstanding quality, selectors had some very difficult decisions to make. They would very much like to thank all applicants, and encourage those who did not receive an award this year to consider applying again.
Scholarship Winners 2016
The BWPA offered three scholarships in 2016.
The selection panel included representatives from CATS, the Light Aircraft Association, the British Gliding Association, the British Microlight Aircraft Association, the British Balloon and Airship Club and the BWPA, including the Chair and Deputy Chair of the BWPA. We had over 50 applications, many of which were outstanding, making decisions very difficult. Both the Flying Start and Flying High scholarships were available across the whole range of aviation including powered flight, gliding, balloons and hang-gliding.
The Flying Start Scholarship – Geraldine Hill
Valued at £1000, offered for pilots in training towards their first licence or initial qualification.
The Flying High Scholarship – Emily Collett
Valued at £1000, offered for training or gaining experience towards further ratings, qualifications, competition entries and other advanced activities.
The BWPA CATS CPL/ATPL Scholarship – Christina Carver
Worth £1599 and kindly donated by CATS Aviation Training, Luton for the Ground School element of a CPL or ATPL for pilots with a PPL (A) or (H).
Scholarship Winners 2015
The BWPA offered six scholarships for our Diamond Jubilee Year.
BWPA Gliding Scholarship – Susie Edwards
Worth £500, donated by the BWPA and offered through the British Gliding Association.
BWPA Balloon Flying Scholarship – Victoria Daley
Worth £500, donated by the BWPA and offered through the British Balloon and Airship Club.
BWPA Microlight Flying Scholarship – Sharon Cox
Worth £500, donated by the BWPA and offered through the British Microlight Aircraft Association.
The selection of a recipient for each the three above awards was jointly undertaken by BWPA and the relevant organisation.
The BWPA Aeroplanes (Vintage and non-Vintage) Scholarship – Rebecca Neal
Worth £500, and offered as a flying scholarship either for a new pilot hoping to gain a PPL or for an experienced pilot wishing to further her skills.
BWPA CATS CPL/ATPL Scholarship – Kanchana Gamage
Worth £1499, and kindly donated by CATS Aviation Training, Luton, offered to cover the ground school element for applicants with at least PPL (A) or PPL (H) who wished to study for a CPL or ATPL.
BWPA Saul-Pooley IRI Instruction Scholarship – Morag Leslie-Smith
Offered for a qualified flying instructor who wished to become an Instrument Rating Instructor (IRI), and donated by Dorothy Saul-Pooley of Pooley’s Flying Instructor School at Shoreham Airport.
