Cirencester 15th March 2024 – Cotswold Airport, formally RAF Kemble, today announced that applications for its annual Aviation Scholarships will open tomorrow, 16th March 2024.
Now in its eleventh year, the established scholarship program introduces successful applicants to the broad experiences, roles and careers available in the general aviation community.
The program includes visits to engineering sites that manufacture aircraft components and companies that are designing and developing the aircraft of tomorrow. Students will receive introductions to airport firefighting, talks on military operations, control tower operations, air traffic service provisions and the opportunity to experience an introduction in learning to fly. Previous graduates of the scheme have enjoyed a mixture of flights including microlights, light aircraft, and helicopters, along with simulator sessions thanks to the enthusiastic support of the on-site flying schools.
The scholarships are open to people who reside in Gloucestershire, Wiltshire, Bristol and Avon, Berkshire, or Oxfordshire, aged between 15 and 18 on the first day of this year’s scholarship, 5th August 2024. No previous aviation experience or background in flying is necessary to apply.
Suzannah Harvey, CEO Cotswold Airport commented, “It is exciting to once again announce the launch of our aviation scholarships for 2024. I do not take it for granted how lucky I am to get up and go to work at an airport every day, and it’s amazing to be able to share some of those experiences with the aviators of tomorrow. Our aim has always been to make the aviation community as accessible as possible, and I see these scholarships as key to achieving that goal.”
There will be 8 scholarship places available in 2024, and application forms can be downloaded from the Airport’s website: www. cotswoldairport.com/aviation-scholarships/
Applications open tomorrow, Saturday 16th March and last entries must be received by 16th May 2024.
Ends.
Feedback from previous years’ scholarship graduates below:
Verity – 2023 Scholar.
“The Cotswold Airport 2023 scholarship was truly one of the best experiences of my life, introducing me to aspects of aviation and aerospace engineering I didn’t even know existed! Some of the benefits of receiving this scholarship included my being able to experience my first ever flight in a microlight and helicopter, which was absolutely amazing. The scholars were also lucky enough to be able to visit and listen to talks from many different companies, such as Vertical Aerospace and Starspeed helicopters, as well as receiving lots of resources from the companies such as our Pooley’s flight bags, where we received lots of equipment to support our journey into flight, such as flight manuals and logbooks as well as other merchandise. Overall, applying for this scholarship was a fantastic decision that has really shaped my views of what I want to do in future, and I really enjoyed it.”
Will – 2023 Scholar
“Firstly, the scholarship helped me gain vital understanding on areas of aviation not known to the public including our visit to Vertical Aerospace and ZeroAvia. Highlights for me included the flying we did with both Kemble Flying Club and Volar which gave me hands on experience allowing me to gain experiences I will never forget. The Pooleys flying bag including all its accessories has helped me massively of which I am so grateful for. I have been able to use the kit kindly gifted to us in both flying training in Cadets and in general flying I have done since the Scholarship. I’ve also been able to get in contact with multiple different companies to gain work experience to boost my knowledge further from the Scholarship. And finally, I would like to say a massive Thank You again to everyone involved in setting up the Scholarship and the people who assisted in giving us amazing opportunities inside of the Aviation Industry. I have been able to make some incredible friends of which we talk in a regular basis about all things aviation of which I’m so thankful for.”
Nancy – 2023 Scholar
“I have gone on to do more flying lessons and simulator sessions since the scholarship, and recently did a placement with Boeing, none of which I would’ve done without the encouragement of the scholarship. I am in the process of lining up work experience with the RAF as well as other local aviation-based companies for the next year, again as a result of the scholarship. In terms of the scholarship, coming into it with no flying experience whatsoever, I loved the actual flying, both in the microlight and the helicopter, and the ground school/tower exposure, as both gave me a really helpful, basic insight into the workings of an aircraft and how to operate in and around them. I also really enjoyed the site visits as they opened my eyes to the other aspects of the aviation industry that I hadn’t previously considered, me only wanting to be a pilot! I think the course gave an incredibly well-rounded view of the industry that set me up brilliantly for further experiences and opportunities since.”