The Air League has opened applications for the UK’s first ever electric-powered aircraft scholarships.
On offer this year are five 5-hour flying scholarships, to be delivered by Approved Training Organisation (ATO) Saxon Air based at Norwich Airport. In addition to the airborne training, scholars will also receive simulator training time, ground school, and sustainability-focussed workshops.
The school will be delivering the flying training in its Pipistrel Velis Electro two-seat trainer – the first electric aircraft type to receive UK CAA certification – which forms a core element of Saxon Air’s push towards carbon-free flight training.
The five hours flight training can be credited towards the 45 minimum hours requirement for a PPL. Eligibility criteria includes:
- Must be aged 16 or older on 01 June 2024
- Must not already hold a LAPL, PPL, NPPL, MPL, CPL or ATPL
- Be a member of the Air League (£30 per year for those under the age of 24 or in fulltime education)
Applications will remain open until the end of the month. In order to apply, prospective scholars should visit and fill in the online application. This co-insides with an extension for Air League gliding and powered flying scholarship applications announced earlier this month.
In addition to providing information of previous flying experience (if any) applicants will also need to answer questions (in no more than 150 words) on why they would like to take part in an electrically-powered flying scholarship, what flying/career aspirations they have, and what they believe are the biggest challenges to overcome in making aviation more environmentally sustainable.
Successful applicants will then be invited to join Saxon Air across 3-4 says in Summer 2024 to complete their scholarships, with accommodation provided to those who do not live in the local area.
Image accredited to Pipistrel