The Air League launches 2025 Aviation Scholarship Programme

Image courtesy The Air League

The Scholarships are designed to offer those with little to no aviation experience an opportunity to gain skills and build an understanding of the career pathways available within the aviation industry.

Applications will open on Monday the 27th of January and will close on Sunday the 30th of March.



The Air League, founded in 1909, is the UK’s largest provider of aviation Scholarships. Over the past decade, Scholarships and bursaries worth over £2.5 million have been allocated to young people across the UK. The Air League seeks individuals that have a passion for aviation and aerospace and the determination to succeed.

Last year, The Air League awarded a total of 90 Scholarships; including 56 Flying Scholarships, three Electric Flying Scholarships and 31 Gliding Scholarships.

Available awards include three-hour, five-hour and 12-hour flying training courses, £500 gliding bursaries for applicants wishing to further develop their skills, a Self Launching Motor Glider (SLMG) conversion course for glider pilots and the two-week residential Gliding to Solo course for applicants with no flying experience. The Air League will also be awarding up to two highly sought after full PPL Scholarships worth over £12,000 each to exceptional candidates.

Courses can be completed at any of the Air League’s approved training providers across the UK. Full board accommodation will be provided to recipients over 18 years of age who live outside a commutable distance of our training providers.



In 2024, The Air League also launched the UK’s first Electric Flying Scholarship Programme. Three successful applicants received five hours of training on the Pipistrel Velis Electro and benefitted from additional simulator time, ground school and sustainability discussions and education.
 
The programme will be expanded to up to five places in 2025, with training taking place with the Air League’s training partner, Saxon Air, at Norwich Airport. The Air League has been working to promote sustainable air-mindedness amongst the next generation and the 2025 Electric Flying Scholarship Programme ensures a continued focus on sustainable aviation.

Ben Harris, Scholarships Programme Manager, The Air League, said: "Each year we’ve been fortunate enough to have an exceptional group of young people, many without any flying experience, take full advantage of our Flying, Gliding and Electric Flying Scholarships.

"Our programmes enable young people to develop skills, build confidence and develop a wider understanding of the industry. We strongly urge anyone with a passion for aviation and aerospace to apply for a scholarship."

Data from the 2024 cohort of Scholars highlights that 30% were female, which is far higher than the industry average of 6.5% for pilots. 45% of Scholars were under the age of 18 and 48% were aged between 18-24. Furthermore, one in four Scholars were from an ethnic or minority background and 45% of Scholars’ parents were not university educated. The Air League is proud to be supporting young people from all backgrounds to kickstart a career in aviation.



The Air League will hold a webinar at 5pm on Wednesday 19th February, which will focus on the selection process, application tips and the format of each Scholarship. The Webinar will also be an opportunity for individuals interested in participating to ask any questions and gather further information prior to applying.

The Air League’s Scholarships are open to anyone that meets the requirements listed in the flying application criteria and gliding application criteria.

The selection process includes an online written application, and an in-person or virtual interview to be held in late April. The minimum age for gliding applicants is 14 and the minimum age for flying applicants is 16.



There is no upper age limit across all Scholarships. The Air League’s vision is to change lives through aviation and believes there should be no educational, financial, or social barriers for those who want to succeed.  

For more information: https://airleague.co.uk/our-programmes/scholarships-and-bursaries