The Guild Flying Scholarship Programme

The Guild flying scholarships and bursaries provide a unique opportunity for people who would like to become pilots or to further their qualifications as pilots.

The closing date for receipt of applications for PPL (A), FIR(A), FIR(H) is in the first week of April of each year, interviews (where applicable) are usually in the third week of June. Training in each instance MUST be completed by the first week of October in the year of award; candidates should be aware that this demands a very high level of commitment during the summer months and if offered a scholarship, the Guild will expect the receipient to meet this commitment. Application forms for the 2011 scholarship programme will appear on this page at the beginning of 2011.

In addition to flying scholarships funded directly by the Guild or one of its Charitable Trusts, each year the Guild is fortunate to receive generous sponsorship from several sources to fund flying scholarships which are administered by the Guild.  In 2010, the following are providing generous funding for scholarships:

The Cadogan Charitable Trust - funding for one PPL scholarship

The Weetabix Charitable Trust - funding for one FIR(H) scholarship

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The Jet Orientation Courses 2010

In association with European Pilot Selection & Training (EPST), the Netherlands based developer of pilot selection tools and ab-initio pilot selector, the Guild is pleased to offer two Jet Orientation Course scholarships.  This course is specifically designed to prepare newly qualified professional pilots for employment with an airline.  The course is not type specific.  Pilots who have completed the EPST Airline Jet Foundation course (AJFC) have proved to be well regarded by potential employers. 

Closing date for receipt of applications is 27 August 2010.

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The J N Somers Scholarship 2011

The J N Somers scholarship covers all direct training and examination costs, any associated travel costs and accomodation costs for the successful candidate as they achieve their fATPL.

Closing date for receipt of applications for this scholarship was 7 June 2010.  132 applications have been received of which 120 met the minimum criteria for application.  Following an extensive sifting process, 14 candidates have been invited to attend Morrisby Testing on 15 July (in London) and final aptitude testing and interviews will (probably) take place at RAF Cranwell, Lincolnshire on 5 August 2010.  The successful candidate will commence training in early 2011.

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PPL Scholarships (Fixed Wing)

These scholarships cover all aspects of training up to licence issue for a candidate who is prepared to dedicate a considerable part of the summer to gaining their PPL.  Providing up to 45 hours of flying, these scholarships can take a candidate with little or no experience, to completion of their flying licence during the course of the summer, alternatively they can "finish off" someone who is already partially trained.  The scholarships are awarded entirely on merit as evidenced on the completed application form and as assessed by a selection committee appointed by the Guild.

Applications are now closed for 2010.  Well over 300 applications were received, and after an exacting sifting process, and interviews, 5 candidates have been awarded scholarships to be flown this summer.  Once all contracts have been signed and schools allocated, we will announce the winners here.  All other applicants have now been informed of the outcome of the selection process and are invited to re-apply next year.  The PPL scholarships will be advertised here by January 2011.

Flight Instructor Rating (Fixed Wing)

The Scholarship award covers all direct training and examination costs for the successful candidate as they achieve their Fixed Wing Instructor Rating. Please refer to page one of the application form (when available) for eligibility criteria and terms and conditions of the scholarship.

Applications are now closed for 2010.  4 Scholarships have been awarded and once all contracts have been signed, the names of winners will be announced here.  All applicants have now been informed of the outcome of the selection process.  Scholarships for 2011 will be advertised here by January 2011.

Flight Instructor Rating (Rotary)

The Weetabix Scholarship, covers all direct training and examination costs for the successful candidate as they achieve their Helicopter Instructor Rating. Please refer to page one of the application form (when avaiable) for eligibility criteria and terms and conditions of the scholarship.

Applications are now closed for 2010.  Next year's scholarships will be advertised here by January 2011.  After a very intense round of interviews, we are pleased to announe that the scholarship has been awarded to Paul Taylor, who will be commencing his course with Helicopter Services at High Wycombe in the very near future.  All applicants have now been informed of the outcome of their application.  The application form for the 2011 will appear here by January 2011.

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Scholarship Winners 2009

click here for details of the scholarships awarded in 2009 for PPL and FIC courses

One of the PPL scholarship candidates for 2009 kept a web blog detailing his experiences from start to skills test. For those of you considering applying for a Guild PPL Scholarship, it certainly gives an excellent insight into what to expect.

Scholarship Presentation 2009

On 12 November 2009, a presentation ceremony was held at Cutlers' Hall, City of London to present certificates to as many of the winners from the year who were able to attend:

L-R  Andrew Bland (Cobham), Dan Martin (Weetabix), Chris Mann (E S Hogg), Andrew Griffiths (Sir George Gaggero), Hannah Cawthorne (Joseph Gaggero), Helme Harrison (Grand Master's), Captain Dick Felix (Chairman, Scholarship Committee), Air Commodore Rick Peacock-Edwards (Immediate Past Master), Ronald Dickie (Sir Sefton Branker), Emma D'Souza (Benevolent Fund PPL), Sy King (Benevolent Fund FSD), James Carrie (IR Instructor Rating), David Batchelder (JOC) ... Victoria Farmer (IR Instructor Rating) was also present

The J N Somers Scholarship 2010 (awarded in 2009)

The Winner of the J N Somers Scholarship 2010 is Jeremy McKinney of Newtownards, County Down.  Jeremy is (nearly) 23 years old and after attending Grosvenor Grammar School, Belfast went on to study Aerospace Engineering with Pilot Studies at the University of Liverpool (he graduated this summer with his Masters). During his University time he has been the Captain of the Waterski and Wakeboard Club and has gained his PPL with Ravenair (Liverpool). His aptitude testing score matched exactly that of Philip last year, no mean achievement!  Jeremy has now commenced training at Flight Training Europe.