Advancing UK Aerospace, Defence, Security & Space Solutions Worldwide
  • Home
  • /
  • Aerospace
  • /
  • Partnership to support aspiring commercial pilots

Aerospace

Partnership to support aspiring commercial pilots

Bristol Groundschool, Wings Alliance and The Air League have forged a new partnership aimed at providing aspiring commercial pilots with unbiased, high-quality training advice and support.


 
Above: (left to right) Gill Fowkes and Janine Hornsby.
Courtesy The Air League

The collaboration ensures individuals receive clear guidance on the training options available to them, tailored to their specific circumstances, including considerations of timing, flexibility and cost.

This partnership will foster collaboration between the three organisations, facilitating the sharing of best practices and strengthening the support available to those looking to pursue an aviation career. As part of the initiative, Bristol Groundschool will annually be offering five scholarships through The Air League, furthering its commitment to developing the next generation of aviation professionals.

Advertisement
ODU RT

The partnership and the Scholarships were launched officially at the Pilot Careers Live event at the Sofitel in Heathrow on Saturday 22nd March. This prestigious event provided an excellent platform to introduce the initiative to prospective pilots and industry stakeholders.

Gill Fowkes, Commercial Director at Bristol Groundschool and the Wings Alliance, commented: “We are thrilled to be joining forces with The Air League to ensure that aspiring pilots receive impartial and high-quality advice on their training journey. Our collaboration will allow us to work closely to support individuals in making informed decisions about their future and our scholarship programme will help make pilot training more accessible.”

Janine Hornsby, CEO of The Air League, added: “At the Air League we are committed to breaking down barriers to aviation and aerospace careers. By partnering with Bristol Groundschool and Wings Alliance, we can ensure that more aspiring pilots receive the guidance and financial support they need to achieve their dreams.”

Advertisement
Security & Policing Rectangle

Founded in 1909, the Air League is a UK aviation, aerospace and space charity, dedicated to breaking down barriers and changing lives. Through scholarships, outreach and industry partnerships, it inspires and supports the next generation, increasing social mobility and making careers in these sectors more accessible. Each year, thousands benefit from its programmes, including disadvantaged young people and wounded servicemen and women. The Air League also advocates for the future of aviation and aerospace, championing skills development, sustainability and innovation through events, lectures and policy engagement.

Bristol Groundschool was founded in 1992 by ex-RAF TriStar Captain Alex Whittingham, specialising in distance learning and training for EASA/UK CAA Professional Pilot’s Licence theory exams. Bristol Groundschool has a stellar reputation in the industry for being the most effective, trusted and manageable training system available – regarded as a world leader in ATPL(A), ATPL(H) and IR theory training. No strangers to innovation, BGS was the first ground school to develop computer-based learning materials for the study of flight theory.

Applications open on Saturday 22nd March and will close on Sunday 4th May. For further information and to apply, click here.

Advertisement
ECS leaderboard banner
NPAS shares innovation insights at CAA Future of Flight Day

Aerospace Security Events

NPAS shares innovation insights at CAA Future of Flight Day

9 March 2026

At the UK Civil Aviation Authority’s Future of Flight Day, David Walters, Head of Futures and Innovation, National Police Air Service (NPAS), shared the latest progress in NPAS’s Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) development programme and showcased a recent multiagency search and rescue demonstration.

Aurrigo to build 25 AGVs for Ultra Global

Aerospace

Aurrigo to build 25 AGVs for Ultra Global

9 March 2026

Aurrigo International plc has signed the largest vehicle manufacturing order in its history to manufacture an initial 25-strong fleet of autonomous guided vehicles (AGVs) for a leading rapid transit system specialist.

Isembard raises $50m to open 25 AI-powered factories

Aerospace Defence

Isembard raises $50m to open 25 AI-powered factories

9 March 2026

UK manufacturing startup Isembard - which manufactures components for aerospace, defence and robotics in factories powered by its proprietary agentic AI platform MasonOS - today announced it has closed $50 million in Series A funding, less than 12 months after its Seed round.

Air Charter Scotland ups Aberdeen-Wick PSO route capacity with Jetstream J32

Aerospace

Air Charter Scotland ups Aberdeen-Wick PSO route capacity with Jetstream J32

6 March 2026

Air Charter Scotland has added 10 more seats daily (Monday to Friday and Sunday) on the Wick-Aberdeen-Wick Public Service Obligation route, with the start of Jetstream J32 services this week.

Advertisement
PTC rectangle
Smith Myers expands ARTEMIS capability

Aerospace Defence Security

Smith Myers expands ARTEMIS capability

5 March 2026

Smith Myers Communications Ltd. today announced the addition of passive Wi-Fi and Bluetooth detection and geolocation capability, together with ATAK Cursor-on-Target (CoT) integration, expanding the capability of its ARTEMIS system.

SSWS 2026 confirms speaker line-up

Aerospace Events

SSWS 2026 confirms speaker line-up

5 March 2026

More than 70 senior industry figures from the likes of the European Commission, IAG, IATA, Airbus, GE Aerospace, Rolls-Royce, Safran UK, Estuaire, Amazon and NATS have been confirmed to speak at Sustainable Skies World Summit (SSWS) 2026, taking place in Farnborough on 17th-18th March 2026.

Advertisement
ODU RT
Advertisement
Gulfstream banner