Gliding Scholarships

The FAAOA Aviation Scholarship Trust awards gliding scholarships to young people who are interested in becoming pilots and observers in the Royal Navy. Gliding Scholarships are normally programmed to take place during the Easter and August holiday periods. The courses are run through Naval Gliding Clubs which are subject to the rules and regulations of the British Gliding Association, (BGA).

The courses are insured and staffed by qualified instructors. Where possible, air experience in a small fixed wing aircraft is provided by The Fleet Air Arm Squadron which is a group of FAA Officers Association members who provide their own private aircraft, insured to carry passengers and governed by civilian flying rules.

What do the scholarships provide?

An intensive gliding course of up to eight days at one of three locations - Royal Naval Air Station Yeovilton in Somerset; Royal Naval Air Station Culdrose in Cornwall; and Lee-on-Solent in Hampshire.
The training is dependent on weather and your aptitude but can often lead to a solo flight in a glider.
Food and accommodation is provided in the Officers Mess in a Royal Naval Air Station or Naval Establishment.
Where possible, a powered flying navigation exercise and visits to FAA training facilities are included.

Who is eligible?

Young people who are -

• Between the ages of 16 and 19 and interested in becoming a Naval pilot or observer
• A British or Commonwealth citizen
• In full time education at school, university or college

Applications

Applications should be submitted using the on line form between December 1st and June 1st. Applications received outside this period will not be acknowledged or actioned until after December 1st.

Closing date for applications        Easter Course   February 28th         August Courses June 1st.

Please complete the on-line application form.

What happens next?

On receipt of the completed form the Gliding Scholarship Administrator will issue guidance notes containing the course preference form, parental consent form and request for photo ID all of which are to be completed and returned to the administrator by email in order for the applicant to be considered for selection.

Applicants will be informed if they have been selected on March 1st for an Easter Course and June 15th for an August course. Successful applicants will then be required to forward to the administrator by email a medical declaration signed by their GP.

How are the scholarships paid for?

Successful applicants are sponsored by the Fleet Air Arm Officers Association through its charitable arm, the Aviation Scholarship Trust. Money comes from industrial and commercial companies and organisations in the aerospace and defence industries as well as individual members of the FAAOA.

If you are interested in encouraging young people to join the Fleet Air Arm by becoming a sponsor with a donation or a regular direct debit then you can request information by filling in the on-line enquiry.