Scholarships
Help reduce the cost of flight training by applying for a scholarship to help you cut the bill. But check you meet the criteria and save a draft application before submitting online.
This list is a starting point, not everything that exists. Check eligibility on each provider's site before you invest time in an application.
Get ready
Before you apply
- Need a sharp one-page CV for applications?
- Interview coming up?
- Working out what you still need to fund?
Josie Bloggs
UK CAA · CPL IR-ME · FI(SEP)
Class 1 medical · valid until June 2027
Contact
Achievements
Experience
Know a pilot who needs to know this? Share the page with them.
The Air League
Over 100 scholarships and bursaries a year for future pilots, aerospace engineers, and other aviation professionals. UK residents: membership required to apply.
Honourable Company of Air Pilots
Full PPL(A), FI(R), and gliding scholarships most years, plus ATPL ground school and Jet Orientation Course opportunities. Forms usually open late November to December.
ACS Flight Training
Two PPL scholarships of up to £4,500 each, plus a Flight Instructor sponsorship scheme. Based at Perth Airport, Scotland.
Aerobility
Registered charity offering anyone with a disability the chance to fly. Scholarships fund further training or ratings at their partner airfields.
Aviation Pride UK
Member scholarship fund (up to £5,000 in 2026) for aviation training and development, including recreational flying. Open to APUK members regardless of orientation.
BALPA Benevolent Fund
Funds PPL, Flight Instructor, and ATPL theory scholarships (over £100,000 in 2026). Applications run via the Air League and Honourable Company of Air Pilots.
British Gliding Association (Launchpoint)
Bursaries and awards through Launchpoint, the BGA’s charity, for first flights through to expanding your horizons in the sport.
British Microlight Aircraft Association
Flexwing and fixed-wing instructor bursary, part funding up to £1,000 to help qualified microlight pilots become instructors.
British Women Pilots' Association
Annual flying and ground-school scholarships for BWPA members: starters, advanced pilots, ATPL theory partners, and a Special Mission award. Flying must be in the UK or Channel Islands.
Cotswold Airport
Hands-on aviation scholarship for 15-17 year olds living near the airport. Flights, engineering visits, and a wide look at GA careers.
Flying Scholarships for Disabled People
Flying scholarships each year for candidates aged 18-70. Training blocks at partner UK schools, with accommodation included.
Harvey Dunmore Scholarship Charity Foundation
Registered charity (1209710) awarding aviation scholarships for ages 17-23 in Yorkshire and Teesside, tenable at local flight schools.
Helping Dreams Take Flight
UK charity removing barriers to aviation. Five-hour powered flying scholarships and gliding scholarships for motivated applicants.
Light Aircraft Association
Armstrong/Isaacs bursaries for pilots under 30 already in PPL training (typically post-first solo), plus aerobatics support in some years.
Royal Aero Club Trust
Flying for Youth bursaries for ages 14-24 across air sports, powered flying, gliding, and more.
Royal Aeronautical Society
Scholarships and bursaries for aerospace and aviation studies, including the Futures Scholarship for specialist training pathways.
Thomas Castle Aviation Heritage
Post-PPL scholarship: five hours on a Tiger Moth at Sywell, plus vintage aircraft husbandry, for pilots aged 18-35.
Worshipful Company of Coachmakers
Sir Geoffrey de Havilland Flying Scholarship: PPL training on Tiger Moths with the Cambridge Flying Group at Old Warden. Ages 18-35, UK residents.
Military
Fleet Air Arm Officers Association
Gliding scholarships for 16-23 year olds with a clear interest in a Fleet Air Arm or RAF flying career.
Royal Air Force Association
Flying scholarships for outstanding young people in the RAF Air Cadets, Girls Venture Corps Air Cadets, Air Scouts, and Air Explorer Scouts.
Next steps
Keep going
- Free webinars on scholarships and career steps.
- What’s on next.
- More tools and reading.
- Not sure where to start the path?
- Find a club or airfield.
- Real pilot stories.