Cotswold Airport, formally RAF Kemble, today announced that applications are open for its annual Aviation Scholarships.
Now in its twelfth year, the scholarship program introduces its participants to the broad experiences, roles and careers available in the general aviation community.
The scholarships are open to students who reside within 25 miles of the airport and will be aged between 15 and 17 on the first day of this year’s scholarship, 4th August 2025. No previous aviation experience or background in flying is necessary to apply.
The program includes visits to engineering and aircraft component manufacturing sites as well as touring 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 an introduction in learning to fly. Last Year’s graduates enjoyed a mixture of flights including microlights, light aircraft, and helicopters thanks to the enthusiastic support of the airport’s on-site flying schools.
Suzannah Harvey, CEO Cotswold Airport commented, “It seems crazy that we are in the 12th year of our aviation scholarships, we have seen such amazing passion and enthusiasm from our applicants over the years, and many graduates have gone on to enjoy careers in the aviation industry.
“We see this as an amazing way to engage local students with an interest in aviation and introduce them to the broad range of skills and expertise that go into making it such an exciting industry.
“We can’t wait to receive this year’s applications and welcome the next cohort of future aviators to the airport later in 2025.”
There will be once again be 8 scholarship places available in 2025, further information and application forms can be downloaded from the Airport’s website: www. cotswoldairport.com/aviation-scholarships/
Applications are open now and last entries must be received by 16th March 2025.
Feedback from last years’ scholarship graduates below:
- “The Cotswold Airport aviation scholarship was an incredible experience-intensive, hands-on and good fun. It provided unique access to aviation professionals, practical flight experiences and in-depth technical training within a supportive community. It was an amazing way to connect to the industry and gave invaluable skills moving forward.”
- “It will help me so much in my future from my career decisions and being able to talk about the unique experiences in interviews will really help me get into my chosen career in aviation.”
- “It was very good at giving insights to different jobs within aviation and gave me ideas of new jobs i would be interested in that I wouldn’t have found otherwise.”
- “I never really considered engineering at all I was just focused on being a commercial pilot or joining RAF. But British Airways talk, made me consider applying for engineering apprenticeships I had no idea about and I never considered an aviation engineering apprenticeship at all before.”
- “I had never thought about just how many careers there are to choose from. I have now found out about certain careers that are much more suited for me than I was considering before.”
- “Before the scholarship I was very much hard set on going into mechanical or electromechanical engineering. The scholarship hasn’t changed that although it has further encouraged me towards this choice of career. The week has made me think further about exploring a career in sustainable aerospace such as in companies like Zero Avia and Vertical Aerospace.”