Flying Scholarships?

[Canute]

Many years ago, I was lucky enough that the kind RAF gave me one of these.

A nephew of mine is now 16. He is an Air Cadet, glides a lot, nice kid etc and yet had never even heard of how to go about getting Flying Scholarships etc.

A quick google shows that the whole system has changed since my day.
Does anybody here have any good links or info on the current system so I can help him out?

My initial search seems to suggest that application has to be done by the Cadet Unit now and there seems to be a variety of different ones?

Many thanks for any assistance.

[MPN11]

The only thing I've gathered is it's now 1 Cadet to PPL [30 hours] and 3[?] to Solo [12 hours].

I can't remember any of the process that led to me getting my Flying Scholarship [in 63], apart from visiting OASC Hornchurch of Interviews and Medical. But I'm sure, as you say, that it's Unit generated.

1963 was a good year for me. Promoted to Cadet FS, PPL and an AOC Air Cadets Commendation :)

[Sook]

Of course those applying for Flying Scholarships in the ACO should have completed a Gliding Scholarship, but that's an entirely different topic!

You could have a look at the Air League Scholarships as well, although these are open to all so obviously there may be more competition.
Scholarships ? The Air League (http://www.airleague.co.uk/scholarships/)

[212man]

It would appear that the scheme we know is now defunct.

The Air cadets web site says this:
http://www.raf.mod.uk/aircadets/whatwedo/flyingscholarships.cfm

There are several scholarships available to air cadets each year. These are sponsored by the Royal Aero Club, the Air League Educational Trust, the RAF Charitable Trust, the Geoffrey DeHaviland Foundation, Babcock Defence Services, the RAF Association and the Guild of Air Pilots and Air Navigators.

The RAFA Scheme (mentioned above) shows one place for 35 hours and 4 runners up with 12 hours:
https://www.rafa.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/2016-Flying-Scholarship-Terms-Conditions.pdf

[Haraka]

So presumably Special Flying Awards have also been scrapped?

[RUCAWO]

Also one for Best Cadet at RIAT camp provided by Oxford.

[Old-Duffer]

The arrangements are now called The Air Cadet Pilot Scheme and the Air Cadet Pilot Navigation Scheme: ACPS and ACPNS.

The former, for example, includes a 12 hour course at Tayside Aviation at Dundee and there are other ways in which the course is delivered to selected cadets. ACPNS is IMHO a better bet since it allows much more than applied flying and whilst the hands on flying is less, the general aviation experience is greater.

Your lad needs to start jumping about at his ATC sqn to find out how the schemes are being organised in his sqn/Wg.

You say he does a lot of gliding - if that's with the ATC, then he's the only one who is!!!!!!!!!!! See other Threads re ATC gliding.

As reported above, there are other opportunities too numerous to mention here but in relatively modest numbers only.

Old Duffer

[iRaven]

In my opinion the move to put all Flying Scholarships (or whatever they call the, these days) at Dundee Airport was a massive error. Whilst I am sure that the uber keen sold their soul to get there, it will have put off many more and especially those from more humble backgrounds.

The whole contract should be scrutinised and in my opinion regionalised again. Letting the Service Flying Clubs take a slice of the students would pass on savings to the taxpayer (as Service Flying Clubs are non profit making) or could even see the funding stretch further to more Air Cadet students.

When I run the Air Force it will all be different...:}

[iRaven]

Just to illustrate the savings. A 30 minute trial lesson at Dundee is £95, whereas the same with a RAF Flying Club is ~£55 in a similar aircraft. I don't know what the RAF/ACO pay per head for the courses at Dundee but I would be amazed if they were cheaper.

It could be as simple as fly 2 cadets and get a third free!!!

[BEagle]

According to their website:Tayside Aviation holds the prestigious MoD contract to deliver flight training on behalf of the RAF Air Cadet pilot scheme. Tayside are the only civilian organisation entrusted to deliver flight training to over 200 scholarships per year delivered using the Grob 115 military trainer at Dundee airport.

Has anyone ever seen that contract advertised or put out to tender? How is it that Tayside has such exclusivity?

When I did my Special Flying Award as part of an RAF Scholarship in 1968, I was allowed to choose where I did it....and chose Rogers Aviation at Cranfield, one of the many civil flying schools which provided such training in those days?

[Tourist]

I did mine at Tayside, and I have to say that it was brilliant.

[Sandy Wings]

Beagle it is still put out to Tender, and Tayside Aviation have won that Tender in recent years. I did mine there in 1986 and are still meeting people regularly in the Aviation world who did theirs there too. Great intro to flying, and the Flying Instructors are assessed annually by CFS.
I think when the numbers shrunk several years ago it was cheaper and simpler to place the Tender at one airfield.
iRaven, I just don't think the RAF flying clubs would have enough flying instructors and aircraft to dedicate themselves to the courses which run into weeks duration and are done all year round.
SW

[MPN11]

It was 3 week in Jul 63 for me, Oxford Aero Club at Kidlington - with about 8 others, IIRC. Piper Colt [easy!] with a couple of trips in Chipmunk to demonstrate what real stalling/spinning is like! Housed/shedded in a SeCo hut for the duration. I assume we were fed in the Flying Club's restaurant ... it was so long ago now!

Thence to BRNC Dartmouth, where in Nov I managed to fail my Flying Grading on Tiger Moths. Here endeth flying career!

[sfm818]

The Tayside connection was probably established during that period when the CFI was an ex-Red 2 and lightning jockey (it takes style to pitch into work in an E-Type) Scholarships running since 1978 - if not earlier.

[Wander00]

Sywell, in J1/N Austers in 1961. Irascible instructor called Les Hilditch. All 5 of us still breathing. Lived in the old Reserve Flying School bungalows and ate in the airport restaurant, all for 1/- a day (5p to you youngsters). Went home for a week then a month of Outward Bound Moray Sea School. Went back for last year at grammar school feeling somewhat more experienced than my peers

[jindabyne]

Yeadon (now Leeds/Bradford) 1962. Chipmunks G-ARFO & G-ARSU. Myself and Barry Hyde - both of us from Lancaster RGS. B&B in very comfortable local hostelry. Awarded PPL, returned to school for six months, Moray Outward Bound, and then S Cerney. Barry joined four months ahead of me but, very sadly, was killed in a night mid-air at Ouston.

[Wander00]

Jindabayne - what was your course number at Moray - I was 112, Aug/Sep 61

[jindabyne]

Can't recall the Course No, Wander - but it was January 1962.

[Wander00]

aah, so you were a couple or 3 courses behind me. It was life changing month, but I sometimes think back and wonder about some of the staff, really quite a strange bunch and on reflection make schoolmasters of the 60s seem almost normal. I have just had an e-mail about some celebration of the 75th anniversary of OB .

[DGAC]

Skegness 1962. Accommodated at Butlins

[ShyTorque]

I must be a mere youngster in comparison. 1973, Flying Scholarship @ Ipswich Airport.

Gross stupidity that the council later closed what was, I believe, Suffolk's only active airport.

[BEagle]

Ipswich airport was one of my Q X-C destinations back in 1968 during my Special Flying Award - a very friendly place it was too.

On Good Friday 1968, I flew from Cranfield to overhead Henlow (to avoid Bedford/Thurleigh and Cardington), then landed at Cambridge. Off then to Ipswich where I had a cup of tea with another chap on my course - we had brand new Cessna F150s with sequential registrations. Then back to Cranfield again via Henlow, during which some USAF chap in a single seat F-101 came to say hello - perhaps from Wethersfield? Close enough for me to see that he was wearing a bright orange bone dome.....

3:20 flying time, perfect weather - and the first solo landaway I'd ever done! The next one was in a Hunter 8 years later.

[Wander00]

Beag - no solo land-away on Basic. I know we could not do it in the Gnat because of need for the Palouste starter

[JW411]

Sadly the opportunities to fly in the ATC nowadays are a very pale shadow of their former selves.

It worked well for me; Gliding Course at 662 GS, RAF Edzell in 1957, Flying Scholarship at Perth in 1958 (Tiger Moth - 30 Hours - PPL) which lead to South Cerney in 1960 and 18 years as a pilot in the RAF (never did a ground tour).

Then 30-odd years in commercial aviation.

I reckon the money spent on me produced a decent return.

[BEagle]

There was no solo landaway in the RAFC Cranwell JP course when I did it in 1973/4.

[iRaven]

Sandy Wings

When I did my PPL when BEagle was the CFI (I think) of Brize Flying Club there were full time instructors and I did my full PPL in 3.5 weeks (a fortnight, a week and a couple of weekends). I think that Brize FC is not as big as it used to be, but certainly along with Cosford, Halton, Waddington, Moray, Benson, Lyneham (based at Kemble), Wyton and possibly Cranwell Flying Clubs they could deliver these scholarships - and they do for Junior Ranks already The RAF Charitable Trust Junior Rank Pilot Scholarship Scheme 2016 (http://www.jrfly.co.uk) as a marginal activity over a year. I know that a couple of RAF Flying Clubs could deliver twice the 24 with ease on their own if tasked.

I also have never heard of the Air Cadet contract going to tender - indeed a lot of the RAF Flying Clubs used to deliver flying scholarships to Cadets and this was wrenched away from them when Dundee were given the contract. I believe the head of Dundee at the time was also the head of a VGS at Arbroath and so, with a bit of lobbying, the die was cast from this when the RAF were trying to save money. The sad thing is there were cheaper solutions right on their doorstep!

I do know that Dundee deliver a fantastic product to the Air Cadets - but just like the barking mad plan for VGS with up to a 3 hour travelling time for Cadets EACH WAY, then it's all about "location, location, location". If you live in Cornwall or Kent then a flying scholarship in Dundee is a bit of a nightmare!

iRaven

[Planemike]

Chipmunks G-ARFO & G-ARSU.


Not so....!!! RFO is a Cessna 150 and RSU a Piper Colt. G-AOSU was a Chipmunk.

[jindabyne]

Good spot Planemike - 'twas G-AORU & AOSU. I thunk!

[tmmorris]

Above info re ACPS and ACPNS is correct. I was fortunate to meet an ACPNS student at Benson over the summer just before and after her final qualifying land away - a fantastic girl who will go far.

Meanwhile, cadets who achieve solo in either a glider or a powered aircraft at their own expense (even if funded by sweeping hangar floors) are now forbidden from wearing the wings badges, a change introduced a couple of years ago. They have to do their flying on a scholarship (HCAP, RAFA, &c.) No, I don't understand the logic either... And yes, I have asked this question up the CoC and been ignored.

[Miles Magister]

The best thing is to trawl the web, there are still some awards available from the Air League and there is a good one at the Cambridge Flying Group to be done on the Tiger Moth.

I was lucky enough to do mine at Cambridge in 1980 and got my PPL out of it.

MM

[Wander00]

Beags - I recall 2 studes from 89 Entry who were authorised at the same time for a solo land-away at Valley. So they allegedly did the sortie as a pair, low level. The run and break rather gave the game away and they were kept incommunicado until 2 instructors arrived to collect them. Fortunately they were seen to have "promise" and both went on to successful flying careers

[BEagle]

Wander00, I wonder what the reaction would be to that sort of thing in today's nanny-state....

A pair of studes 'paid a visit' to RAFC Cranwell just after I'd left and did a most impressive low-level VRIAB, I gather....

....in a Varsity! I gather that the bomber-teachers' hierarchy 'Was Not Amused'.

Another chap is reputed to have taken a Pig through the Nant Ffrancon - that must have been rather a sight!

[Wander00]

Then of course there was the attempted barrel roll in the Varsity - still in touch with the guy concerned, but through the Nant Ffrancon.........

[ShyTorque]

During my JP course I was sent on my first solo nav, five minutes after a pal of mine went. He orbitted over Wetherby, one of the turning points, due to him being uncertain of position. I therefore inadvertently caught him up without him being aware. Once I'd done so, I just dropped back a little and followed him round the route.

He wasn't too chuffed when I asked if he wanted a debrief :E

Shortly afterwards my QFI came up to me (he'd been DI in the tower and watched us on radar) and asked if I'd enjoyed my formation! :O

[MPN11]

Returning to the topic of Flying Scholarship/PPL ... ;)

I was on a solo Navex in the Piper Colt when it seemed I infringed Upper Heyford's airspace, as I saw white Verys being fired off. Shortly afterward, I saw a B-47, and shortly after that hit his slipstream. That was definetely an "Unusual Attitudes, Recover" moment!!

I then binbled on to my landaway at Thruxton

[Chugalug2]

Small world, MPN11. I did my Flying Scholarship at Thruxton on the Jackaroo. My Solo Navex was from there to Shoreham, thence to Portsmouth, and finally back to Thruxton. On last leg spotted large white concentric circles marked out in field below. Often wondered what they were...

[Wander00]

My solo landaway was to North Denes - before I set off I was shown the remains of a Piper Colt a member of the Club had landed downwind there, and told to be careful

[Sky Sports]

Meanwhile, cadets who achieve solo in either a glider or a powered aircraft at their own expense (even if funded by sweeping hangar floors) are now forbidden from wearing the wings badges, a change introduced a couple of years ago.

Is this still in place and is it a Corps policy?

My son is only a couple of flights from his civvy gliding solo. His squadron have said that once he has proof of solo, they will apply to the wing for his wings. Looks like he and the sqn might be disappointed.

[chevvron]

One of my female cadets got the first one awarded to a female ATC cadet back in about 1990; unfortunately 3 female CCF cadets got there before her!
She did 30 hours at Peterborough paid for by HQ Air Cadets and her parents paid for her to complete the PPL course.

[Wwyvern]

JW411 Check PMs.

[Wander00]

Just had 2 days at Sywell for the LAA Rally (pity about the weather) and my annual pilgrimage - did my FS there in 1961. At the time there was an ancient crop spraying pilot there (well he was in his twenties and we were 17/18 so he seemed "old") - Barry Tempest. We even spent a couple of non-flying days stripping a couple of scrap Tiger Moths for parts for Barry's aircraft. Saturday I was sitting at a catering concession table and another visitor sat at the table and we fell into conversation - turned out to be Barry's son. Talked about a few things including the time Barry was due to display at an event at Belton House near Grantham where I was manning a TA recruitment stand, but he had got caught up in telegraph wires alongside the River Trent in Nottingham, fortunately without hurting himself. Cheers Barry.

[tmmorris]

SkySports yes, they have to complete a gliding SCHOLARSHIP not just achieve solo. (ACTO 32 dated 18 Feb 16).

Interestingly the flying badge requirements have changed again and are not either a flying scholarship (with caveats) or NPPL/LAPL/PPL. (ACTO 34, same date.)

[Sky Sports]

they have to complete a gliding SCHOLARSHIP not just achieve solo.

And I would bet that 'red tape' precludes those cadets who have gone civvy solo from just doing a quick check ride and sign off at Syerston?
I would imagine they would have to do the whole scholarship, despite having somewhere in the region of 80 launches and 15 flying hours!

Is ACTO 32 a restricted document? A google search only throws up out of date appendix.

[India Four Two]

I can't resist posting on this auspicious day. On 9th September 1966 at White Waltham , I went solo in Piper Colt G-ARJD. I finished my Special Flying Award in November with a cross-country to Sywell and Oxford - all non-radio! I also flew JC, JH and KR. Spinning, which was required in those days, was done in Chipmunks G-AORF and TH.

Next year I was in UBAS, flying WD292, 353, 355 and WP900 and getting paid to do it!

Still flying and learning something new on every flight. My most recent trip was from Calgary to Oshkosh and back in a Stinson 108 - 2600 nm.

Flown 45 types, half of them solo.

[l.garey]

Selection was via Hornchurch when I did my Flying Scholarship in 1958, as a member of 115 Peterborough ATC. It was at Marshalls Cambridge. I arrived there on 31 July and was flying Tiger Moth G-ALTW later that same evening with my instructor Mr Minshaw. Five and a half hours (flying time) later he sent me solo. I got my PPL in ten days, and have been flying, on and off, ever since. I also did the gliding course at Hawkinge a few weeks later.

A friend, also with 115, did his Flying Scholarship on the Tiger Moths at Sywell, with Les Hilditch, like Wander00.

Sad that things have changed so much. We were so lucky.

Laurence

[Wander00]

L.gary. Your friend must have been at Sywell a way before me to be on Tigers. I was there 1961 on Auster J1/N s

[ATR43]

I too had a Flying Scholarship, in 1980 at Compton Abbas on C150 Aerobats a truly fabulous months course. Sadly as you say the scheme is a shadow of its former self. one has to have attained a certain level within the Air Cadet Gliding system to be recommended for the Flying Scholarship. Given the fact that many youngsters may have a Saturday job ( or distance )that prevents them from attending a Gliding Course bars them form the Flying Scholarship straight away :-(

[l.garey]

Wander00: Yes he was the same year as me, 1958. I met Les Hilditch on one or two occasions: he was highly spoken of. I later converted to the Auster at Cambridge and flew the Sywell G-AMTM on one occasion.

Laurence

[Onceapilot]

I feel that there is an important read across to the topic of cadet gliding. I was fortunate to belong to 3 different Air Cadet Squadrons during my teens. The opportunity for a cadet flying scholarship seemed to fall within a very narrow age window for an individual cadet. Unfortunately, on all three squadrons, I saw that there was a "golden boy" or two that were bound to get that rare, plum internal reccomendation and, often, subsequently, the cadet WO post. In my case, there was no hope from 15 onwards of progressing, unless a certain other cadet had dissapeared.:oh: However, cadet gliding was relatively guaranteed and, importantly, gave almost all cadets who wished to do it the way forward to solo gliding.:D This is the huge loss that the ATC seem to have now suffered. :sad: In my case, solo gliding, in cheap simple gliders with volunteer instructors, was a vital start to a nearly 40 yr military pilot career.
Sadly, with the effective loss of cheap cadet gliding, the ATC has been neutered.

OAP

[Cat Funt]

OAP.
Am a little confused by your description since, IIRC, the old flying scholarship scheme was run by the RAF and one would apply via the AFCO and filtered candidates were selected by going through Part 1 of OASC. (Aptitude tests, aircrew medical and interview.)

Since the RAF Flying Scholarship gave way to the Air Cadet Pilot Scheme, what you describe seems a lot more pertinent now, where trainees are selected at the regional level, rather than by OASC. The loss of gliding training now means that there's no way of determining whether an applicant has any kind of aptitude and, accordingly, pass rates at Dundee are far lower than before. More than ever, selectors are dependent on the tick in the good lad box from their OCs and the application form and an increasing number of badge-hunters seem to displacing those eager and committed to start a career in aviation.

My big worry is that if/when Pippa Middleton ever gets gliding training up and running again, those who progress farthest will be those favoured by geography rather than ability/aptitude. TBH, it might be time to get OASC involved again so at least applicants are judged by a common, and proven, standard.

[Onceapilot]

Cat Funt,
Hi! IIRC, the process of proposal, support and recommendation for OASC selection relied heavily on the Squadron. An individuals chance at hitting the window of opportunity was partly dependant upon chance and Squadron politics, or so it seemed to me. If there was a way of "demanding" consideration or, a realistic chance of recommendation in that circumstance, I knew nothing of it.:ooh:
Anyhow, further reflection reminds me that Air Cadet gliding was the real foundation of many flying careers. More so, IMO, than Flying Scholarships and, at a hugely superior VFM.:ok: What a terrible loss the destruction of cadet gliding is!:mad:

OAP

[Ken Scott]

ATR43 - I too did my flying at Compton Abbas on a Special Flying Award on C150s a couple of years after you, a truly wonderful airfield. My instructor was the late Alec Blythe, a rather gruff old chap but a superb pilot who loved nothing better than turning the aircraft upside down. Only found out much later that he'd flown Dakotas at Arnhem & said he'd been alongside Dick Lord in the stream over the DZ when he won his VC.

RIP sir, I have you & that SFA to thank for my flying career.

[sycamore]

I42, last flew G-AOTH 20/8/62 with the IOMFC.....