The Honourable Company of Air Pilots (HCAP) has opened applications for a number of PPL Scholarships taking place next summer. Open to all-comers over the age of 17, the scholarships provide funding for a Private Pilot Licence training programme including up to 45 hours of flight training.
Scholarships are open to candidates with little or no prior flying experience, individuals who are also part way through their PPL training but are struggling to complete due to funding issues are also eligible to apply.
A total of nine PPL scholarships were awarded earlier this year, with the recipients busy undertaking their training programmes this summer. One scholar, who received a ‘top-up’ training scholarship from HCAP (the Donaldson Scholarship) to complete his PPL, was Dee Limbaya.
Having applied every year since 2019, 2023 was Dee’s lucky year and he completed his skills test on 16 August, gaining his PPL. Having previously self-funded his training (including sleeping in his car at one stage to save on accommodation costs), by the time Dee won the scholarship he had completed all his ground exams and had amassed a total of 33 flying hours, including his first solo which took place on his 30th birthday. HCAP then provided the funding, under the Donaldson Scholarship, for Dee to complete his training.
“The scholarship gave me a much-needed turbo boost towards achieving my private pilot’s licence,” explains Dee. “In the weeks that followed, I completed my radiotelephony exam and embarked on the final phase of my PPL training. My qualifying cross-country flight took me from the historic North Weald Airfield,
through the hustle and bustle of Southend Airport, to the picturesque Shoreham shoreline, painting a memory that I will forever cherish…
“On the 16th of August 2023, I passed my skills test. This was a tremendous achievement, made possible by all the people who have supported me along the way. Thank you to all those who contributed to my journey, initially, via my social media platforms. Thank you to my family without whom I could never have made it this far.
“Thank you to the Honourable Company of Air Pilots who have enriched my life in an immeasurable way. Special thanks to Captain Colin Donaldson, my sponsor, whose generosity has been life changing. I promise to pay it forward.”
While the training course is funded by HCAP, including examination costs, scholars will need to pay for their Class 2 medical certificate and fund their travel and subsistence expenses during their training.
Entry criteria includes:
• Ability to demonstrate a serious ambition and ability to pursue an aviation-related career.
• Availability to undertake and complete the scholarship during summer 2024.
• Demonstrate educational achievements, including demonstrable knowledge and/or experience in science, mathematics or other aviation related subjects.
• Must be able to satisfy the relevant medical standard to enable issue of a Class 2 Medical Certificate issued in the UK in accordance with Part Med.
• Must be aged at least 17 on 1 June 2024.
Applications should be made via HCAP’s scholarship portal with successful candidates called for interview in London on 09 or 10 April 2024. Those selected for scholarship will then commence training during summer 2024 at one of HCAP’s pre-approved flight schools located across the UK.
Image accredited to Dan Limbaya @FuturePilot91
