Gliding Scholarships

Gliding Scholarships

Gliding scholarships provide individuals with an opportunity to enter the sport of gliding. Scholars can also explore the career pathway options available within aviation, aerospace, and space.

Our tiered approach offers those with zero to little aviation experience an opportunity to gain skill, build an understanding and an insight into the amazing career pathways available.

The Air League can offer you unrivalled support, and looks for those with a flare to succeed and the determination to join our fantastic industries.

what do we offer?

Gliding to solo scholarship

This scholarship provides an introductory gliding to solo course. The course is held over a two week period at London Gliding Club, and offers an introduction to gliding combined with ground school theory. This scholarship aims to create a foundation for a young person’s career pathway into aviation, aerospace or space.

SLMG
conversion scholarship

This scholarship provides an individual who has previous gliding experience with an opportunity to convert to powered flying. This scholarship aims to further a young person's career pathway into aviation, aerospace, or space. It is flown at the scholar's own pace at their chosen gliding club.

Pilot development scholarship

This scholarship provides additional support towards going solo, aerobatic, or cross-country training, in the form of a £500 bursary. This scholarship aims to further a young person’s career pathway into aviation, aerospace, or space. It is flown at the scholar's own pace at their chosen gliding club.

Gliding to solo scholarship

This scholarship provides an introductory gliding to solo course. The course is held over a two week period on pre-selected dates at our approved gliding club, and offers an introduction to gliding combined with ground school theory. This scholarships aim is to create a foundation for a young person’s career pathway into aviation and aerospace, and is held residentially over a two week period.

SLMG
conversion scholarship

This scholarship provides an individual who has previous gliding experience with an opportunity to convert to powered flying. This scholarships aim to further a young person's career pathway into aviation and aerospace, and is flown at the scholars pace at their chosen gliding club.

Pilot development scholarship

This scholarship is an intermediate or advanced award that provides an individual with additional support towards going solo, aerobatic, or cross-country training. This scholarships aim to further a young person’s career pathway into aviation and aerospace, and is flown at the scholars pace at their chosen gliding club.

frequently asked questions

2024 applications open on Monday, 29th of January 2024. Applications will close at 11:59pm on Sunday, 31st of March 2024. 

To be eligible for a Pilot Development or SLMG Conversion Scholarship you must be at least 14 years of age by the 1st of June 2024. To be eligible for a Gliding to Solo Scholarship, you must be at least 16 years of age by the 1st of June 2024. For all scholarships you must be a UK resident. Please find the full application criteria here.

For those with disabilities please see the FAQ below.

Gliding to Solo scholarships will be undertaken at London Gliding Club on a residential basis over a two week period.

SLMG and Pilot Development Scholarships will be undertaken at your chosen club. 

The Gliding to Solo course will take place from 29 July – 09 August 2024.

SLMG and Pilot Development Scholarships are completed at your own pace. 

Gliding to Solo Scholarships include full board accommodation for the 2 week course.

SLMG and Pilot Development Scholarships are flown at your own pace and do not include accommodation. 

You will also be invited to our Scholarships Awards Ceremony.

The Scholarship Selection Committee award gliding scholarships based several factors, such as the impact it will have on your immediate development, as well as your medium to long-term career aspirations.

For Gliding to Solo Scholarships, no previous flying experience is required.

SLMG and Pilot Development Scholarships require some previous experience.

Our scholarships are open to all that meet the legal requirements listed above.

Our vision is to change lives through aviation and believe there should be no educational, financial, or social barriers for those who want to succeed.

We want to make aviation accessible to all. Regardless of your background we will support you if you have the determination, drive and passion to succeed.

No. Gliding scholarships are allocated through a selection process administered by the Air League Scholarship Selection Committee. 

Regardless of any disability you can apply for a gliding scholarship. The purpose of our scholarships is to create a foundation for a young person’s career pathway into aviation and aerospace.

You will be asked to provide additional details so that reasonable adjustments or further assistance can be provided as part of the selection process and the delivery of a scholarship.

We will endeavour to deliver scholarships to those with any disability, however if CAA regulations indicate flight training may not be delivered, we will attempt to provide an alternative scholarship through our other programmes and opportunities.

Unfortunately, The Air League is unable to help with travel costs.   

Yes. A valid Air League membership is required to apply for scholarships and bursaries.

Yes. Please annotate on your application which programme you have participated in. 

No. The gliding scholarships are intended for those yet to achieve a PPL.

Successful candidates will be notified in early June 2024. 

Although this will be disappointing, we do not want you to give up. Scholarships applications far outnumber the opportunities available.

Regardless of the outcome we encourage you to get involved, volunteer, and attend the Air League’s annual programme of events that aim to help you develop as a professional within aviation and aerospace.

All applicants will also be given the opportunity to register with TalentView Aviation, a platform to find first jobs, graduate roles and other exciting opportunities, it also allows you to develop and to be seen by employers across the UK aviation industry.

Feedback is unable to be provided for gliding scholarship applications. 

application form

career pathway options

We’ve teamed up with TalentView Aviation to ensure all our scholarship applicants continue on their career pathways within aviation and aerospace

TalentView is the place for talented individuals to find first jobs, graduate roles and other exciting opportunities and be seen by employers across the UK aviation industry

Individual

Support the Air League and its vision of changing lives through aviation as an individual supporter.

Corporate

Support the Air League and its vision of changing lives through aviation as an corporate supporter.