Scholarships & Airline Training Schemes
Discover funding opportunities and airline-sponsored pathways to help achieve your aviation goals
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Scholarships
Wings for Warriors Veterans' Flying School Scholarship
UK registered charity that trains wounded, injured or sick medically-discharged UK armed-forces veterans as professional pilots free of charge — PPL then CPL, historically routing graduates to airline First Officer roles (previously TUI). Opened a dedicated not-for-profit Veterans' Flying School at Gloucestershire Airport, officially opened 16 Jan 2025 by HRH The Princess Royal. Eligibility: UK medically-discharged veterans only.
BMAA Flexwing Instructor Bursary
Qualified flexwing microlight pilots training towards a flexwing instructor rating.
Helicentre Aviation Academy Helicopter Pilot Scholarship (CPL(H))
Aspiring professional helicopter pilots; must enrol on and complete a PPL(H) with Helicentre by the annual 31 July deadline to be considered for the CPL(H) award.
Thomas Castle Aviation Heritage Scholarship
Post-PPL pilots.
BGA Junior Competition Training
Post-solo junior glider pilots who have not yet flown in a competition; apply via BGA Junior Events (opens ~mid-January).
Air Pilots Flying Instructor Continued Professional Development (CPD) Bursary
Ongoing bursary from the Honourable Company of Air Pilots (HCAP) helping qualified UK flying instructors meet the cost of maintaining or enhancing their instructional qualifications (revalidation / continued professional development). Available on a rolling basis; distinct from the HCAP FI(R) certificate scholarship. Confirmed via Flight Training News, 16 Jul 2026.
Fly2Help Aim High
Young people aged 14-18 interested in an aviation or aerospace career; free to join; entry to the residential Aim High Week is by application and interview.
FAAOA Gliding Scholarships
Young people interested in a Fleet Air Arm (Royal Navy) flying career.
Launchpoint Caroline Awards
Young people (generally under 18) or disabled applicants of any age; UK gliding club member.
Flying Scholarships for Disabled People
Disabled people (wide range of disabilities); applicants explain how they would benefit. Apply by 15 January annually.
Air League Groundschool Scholarship
UK resident, Air League membership, Aspiring professional pilot
Air League Electric Flying Scholarships
UK's first electric-aircraft flying scholarships. Up to 5 awards: 5 hours flying in a Pipistrel Velis Electro with Saxon Air at Norwich Airport over 3-4 days, plus simulator time, ground school and sustainability sessions; hours count toward a PPL (accommodation provided if non-local). Applications 2 Dec 2025 - 22 Mar 2026; interviews late April 2026 in London (online option available). Eligibility: aged 16+ by 1 June 2026, must NOT already hold a LAPL/PPL/NPPL/MPL/CPL/ATPL, active Air League membership required.
Air League Flying Scholarships
UK resident, Aged 16 or older, Air League membership required
Molly Rose Pilot Scholarship
Women-focused scholarship awarding a full Private Pilot Licence, created by Aetheris Publishing with support from Marshall and Cambridge Aero Club. Named after ATA aviatrix Molly Rose (inspiration for the book/film Attagirls). Aimed at encouraging young women into aviation careers. Source: Marshall Group news (accessed Aug 2026).
Royal Air Squadron Young Instructor Bursaries
BGA-administered bursaries funded by the Royal Air Squadron to help young glider pilots train towards gliding instructor qualifications. UK gliding-club members. Distinct from the BGA Launchpoint awards already on file. Verified via BGA members portal, Aug 2026.
Air League Gliding Scholarships
UK resident; aged 14+ by 1 June (Pilot Development/SLMG Conversion require current gliding club membership with prior gliding experience); Air League membership required
Royal Aero Club Trust Bursaries
Aged 14-21, or up to 24 for Advanced Bursaries. UK-based.
CAE Women in Flight Scholarship
Women who meet the entry requirements of CAE's selected airline cadet programme; competitive video application demonstrating leadership, community involvement and passion for aviation.
Women in Corporate Aviation Career Scholarship
Annual career scholarship for anyone pursuing professional development/advancement in corporate/business aviation; suggested uses include flight training, dispatcher/maintenance training and aviation education upgrades. International (US-based non-profit; open to international members, similar to WAI which is already listed). Listed on BWPA external-scholarships page.
Honourable Company of Air Pilots — Flight Instructor Certificate (FIC) Scholarships
Existing PPL holders seeking a fixed-wing instructor rating; UK training; complete by end September
BWPA CATS CPL/ATPL Ground School Scholarship
Woman, Holds at least PPL(A) or PPL(H)
Leading Edge Aviation Bursaries
Applicant to the LEAP integrated programme
Women in Aviation International Scholarships
Open to WAI members (membership required by the application deadline); women pursuing flight training or aviation careers. Up to three scholarship applications per person, submitted online.
Air BP Sterling Pilot Scholarship
UK-based, aged 17+ at application, able to hold a UK Class 2 Medical, serious ambition for an aviation-related career
ACS Flying Scholarship
Right to live/work in the UK; minimum 17 years old at application; passion for aviation.
Nick Davidson Memorial Scholarship
Aged 18 to 25
BWPA Flying Start Scholarship
Woman, New or inexperienced pilot
Sir Geoffrey de Havilland Flying Scholarship
Aged 18 to 35
Honourable Company of Air Pilots — PPL(A) Scholarships
Aged 17+ on 1 June of application year; training in UK; high summer commitment required
LAA Armstrong-Isaacs Bursary
Under 30; min 5 hrs solo; valid medical + ground exams; already in PPL/NPPL training.
BGGC Sponsored Cadet Scheme
Part-sponsors up to 4 young people (aged 14-16) per year over a 2-year gliding programme; club covers 100% of 1st year soaring fees, trains to solo and towards sailplane licence. Application deadline 14 Feb 2026, interviews first weekend of March, training starts April. No qualifications required. Also listed on Flight Training News 'where to apply' guide. Verified Aug 2026.
Honourable Company of Air Pilots — Gliding Scholarships
Aged 16–25; residential UK BGA youth centre; travel costs self-funded
Cotswold Airport Aviation Scholarship
Aged 15–17; resident in Gloucestershire, Wiltshire, Oxfordshire, Berkshire, Bristol & Avon or BANES.
Launchpoint Ted Lys Awards
Experienced UK glider pilots seeking funding for a specific course, coaching or skills development.
Aerobility Flying Scholarships
Open to anyone with any disability, including those with no previous flying experience.
Helping Dreams Take Flight Scholarships
Open to those who face barriers to accessing aviation.
James Beagley Memorial Scholarship
Young pilot pursuing a CPL
FAS Pilot Academy Scholarships
EU citizen (EU passport or national ID)
Heli Air Helicopter Pilot Scholarships
Trainee helicopter pilots who have completed (or are undertaking) a PPL(H) with Heli Air.
De Havilland Flying Scholarship Awards
UK residents aged 18–35 (over 18 on 01 Sep 2026, under 35 on 31 Aug 2027). Trains to PPL standard on vintage de Havilland DH82A Tiger Moths with Cambridge Flying Group at Old Warden. No prior flying experience required but a keen interest in vintage/historic aerospace expected. Applicants must not be undertaking other powered flying training or have previously received a similar bursary (12-hour Air Cadet Scholarship excepted). Not intended to fund commercial licence training.
RAF Association Flying Scholarships
Members of the RAF Air Cadets (RAFAC - Air Training Corps and CCF(RAF)), the Girls Venture Corps Air Cadets, or Air Scouts / Air Explorer Scouts.
Air Cadet Pilot Scheme (ACPS)
Current RAF Air Cadets (RAFAC / CCF(RAF)); must be 18+ at the time of the course; selection is via your own cadet squadron / unit.
ATPL / Airline
AEGEAN Pilot Scholarship Programme
Open solely to Greek and Cypriot nationals; excellent Greek and English required. Male candidates must have completed military service (or complete it by 31 Dec 2026) — deferments not accepted. Training at Global Aviation Academy (Athens) and Egnatia Aviation Academy (Kavala).
European Flight Academy Cadet Pilot Programme
EU/EEA/Swiss right to work; pass DLR aptitude test (Hamburg, ~EUR400); EASA Class 1 medical
0-ATPL(A) Integrated Pilot Training Programme
Flag-carrier-owned ATO (Polska Akademia Lotnicza / LOT Flight Academy, Warsaw) offering an ab-initio 0-ATPL(A) integrated course; site states many graduates have found airline employment, including at LOT Polish Airlines. NOTE for reviewer: this is a training-academy pathway, not a branded guaranteed-placement cadet programme — comparable to the KLM Flight Academy row. English-language intake reportedly reopened April 2026 (per third-party sources; verify on site). Self-funded (see LOT Flight Academy price list). Not previously in DB.
Wideroe Airline Ready Programme
Partnership announced March 2025: OSM Aviation Academy Airline Ready programme (Arendal, Norway + US campus, ~20-24 months) mentored with Wideroe, Norway regional carrier (Dash 8). Self-funded at training stage; Wideroe provides paid type rating on hire. Source: afm.aero announcement (accessed Aug 2026).
Wizz Air Pilot Academy
Based with unrestricted right to live/work in Albania, Armenia, Bulgaria, Georgia, Hungary, North Macedonia, Moldova, Poland, Romania or Serbia
Norwegian Cadet Programme (OSM Aviation Academy)
EU right to work; pass OSM online admission test; EASA Class 1 medical
Wizz Air Pilot Academy — She Can Fly Programme
Female applicants aged 18+ (may apply at 17 with a high school degree). Must be based in and have unrestricted right to live and work in a Wizz Air base country: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Georgia, Hungary, Moldova, North Macedonia, Poland, Romania or Serbia. Minimum high school degree; fluent English; good high-school-level Maths and Physics; able to swim 50m unaided; height check applies below 160cm or above 190cm. A surety (financial guarantor) must be nominated. No prior flying experience required.
easyJet / Skyborne FlightCrew Futures ATPL Programme
Right to live and work in the UK/EU; EASA or UK CAA Class 1 medical; fluent English. Confirm full criteria with easyJet and Skyborne.
Generation easyJet MPL Cadet Programme
Right to live/work in UK/EU; no prior flying experience needed; EASA/UK CAA Class 1 medical; strong English
ITA Airways MPL Cadet Programme
Self-funded MPL; EU right-to-work expected. Confirm nationality/language and entry requirements on official ITA/Urbe Aero pages.
Ryanair Future Flyer Academy
Right to live/work in EU/UK; no prior experience needed; EASA Class 1 medical
Brussels Airlines MPL Cadet Program
Brussels Airlines' first-ever cadet intake. 19-month integrated MPL delivered by training partner Skywings Flight Training (Antwerp), leading to Airbus A320 type rating and a guaranteed First Officer role on completion (MPL converts to ATPL after 1500 hrs). Eligibility: passport of an EU member state, fluent English plus French and/or Dutch, EASA Class 1 medical before start, secondary-school diploma, certificate of good conduct. No prior flying experience needed. ~20-30 cadets/year; DA40 single-engine then A320 simulator. Approx. €60k gross starting FO salary.
Jet2.com Jet2NextGen future pilot programme
Jet2.com talent programme for self-funded modular/integrated trainees (distinct from the fully-funded Jet2FlightPath cadet scheme already tracked). Trainees become eligible after their first UK CAA ATPL exams; a conditional Jet2 employment offer includes a Jet2-funded type rating. Delivered via Skyborne (also Bristol Groundschool as first modular partner, Jul 2026). Opened Aug 2026. Confidence: high.
SWISS Ab-Initio Pilot Programme (via European Flight Academy)
SWISS-specific ab-initio pathway delivered at Lufthansa Group European Flight Academy (Grenchen CH + Phoenix USA), ~2 years. Eligibility: CH, EFTA or EU citizen; DLR certificate required. Distinct from the generic Lufthansa Group EFA entry because SWISS pre-finances and places graduates at SWISS. Confidence: moderate (overlaps EFA umbrella — worth human check).
BA Speedbird Pilot Academy
Age 17-58 (18 at start of training); six GCSEs grade A-C / 4-9 including Maths, English Language and a Science (or equivalent); valid passport permitting unrestricted worldwide travel. No prior flying experience required.
Future Pilot Programme
EU/right-to-work; no prior flying experience; EASA Class 1 medical; strong English
Loganair Mentored Cadet Pathway (Skyborne / CRM Aviation APS MCC)
Airline pathway rather than fully-funded scheme: Skyborne integrated ATPL trainees are "tagged" to Loganair after ~6 months of ground school, receiving a conditional job offer and a mentor. Separate Loganair Mentored APS MCC course delivered with CRM Aviation Europe leads to a sim assessment/HR interview and priority hold-pool placement. Training self-funded.
Jet2FlightPath Cadet Programme
UK right to work; no prior flying experience; EASA/UK CAA Class 1 medical
Volotea MPL Cadet Programme
Minimum age 18; must have the right to live and work in the EU; no prior aviation experience required. Selection: aptitude assessment, English language evaluation and interview.
SAS Cadet First Officer / MPL Cadet Programme
Structured MPL cadet pathway for applicants with little/no airline experience, run with partner flight academy (e.g. CAPA). Successful candidates commit to a 36-month training bond. Per SAS careers, recruiting toward summer 2027 with first courses planned Fall 2026. Also covered by rotatepilot.com.
Luxair Pilot Cadet Program
Luxembourg flag carrier ~18-month ab-initio cadet programme launched 2019. Training in English at flight schools in Moenchengladbach (Germany) and near Barcelona (Spain). Requirements: 18+, EASA Class 1 medical, secondary diploma, right to work in EU (non-EU also considered), English min B1. Luxair covers all type-rating costs. Source: luxair.lu/en/pilot (accessed Aug 2026).
Icelandair Cadet Pilot Programme
Ab-initio cadet pathway launched Oct 2023 with Norway-based Pilot Flight Academy (also listed by L3Harris Airline Academy); theory in Sandefjord, flying in Texas, ~18 months. Intakes run periodically and may be closed between cohorts - verify current status. Icelandic-language fluency historically a strong advantage. Source: pilotcareernews (accessed Aug 2026).
Avion Express Cadet Program
Ab-initio airline cadet pathway run by BAA Training with ACMI operator Avion Express (Lithuania/Malta, A320 family). Listed among BAA Training current airline cadet programs; includes conditional employment offer on completion. Source: baatraining.com cadet-programs page (accessed Aug 2026).
Vueling Cadet Pilot Programme
EU right to work; no prior flying experience; EASA Class 1 medical; strong English
Condor Ab-Initio Program (CAP)
German leisure airline ab-initio MPL programme run with TFC Käufer flight school in Essen; ~24 months, ends with A320 type rating and First Officer role. Eligibility: residence + work permit in Germany, unrestricted passport, DLR aptitude testing. Recurring intakes (7th cohort by 2023). Apply via career.aero. Confidence: high.
Air France Cadet Program
EU citizenship or equivalent right to work; strong English (airline working language); must meet EASA Class 1 medical and aptitude standards. Open to recent graduates, science students and career changers.
Finnair MPL Program
Aged 18+ and minimum 163cm tall; good language skills in Finnish and English (Finnish required); upper-secondary school degree or a 3-year (180 ECTS) vocational qualification; meet Finnair medical criteria (EASA Class 1); pass a Finnish police security clearance. No prior aviation experience required.
airBaltic Pilot Academy
Right to live and work in the EU; EASA Class 1 medical; fluent English; must pass the airBaltic pilot assessment to access the airline loan portion. Confirm full criteria on the official careers site.
TUI Airline MPL Cadet Programme
UK/EU right to work; no prior flying experience; EASA/UK CAA Class 1 medical
Iberia Cadetes Programme
University degree (final project completed); EU nationality or Spanish work permit; English B2; Spanish C2 for non-native speakers; no prior ATPL exams taken; height 157-191 cm; little or no previous flight experience.
Pegasus Airlines MPL Cadet Pilot Programme (CADET)
Turkish low-cost carrier MPL cadet scheme; training at partner ATOs (AYJET, AFA), largely simulator-based. Nationality quirk: applicants must be Turkish Republic citizens (born on/after 1 Jan 1995), 4-year degree, Class 1 medical, height 160-195cm. Confidence: high.
KLM Flight Academy Cadet Programme
EU right to work; demanding AMC/COMPASS selection; EASA Class 1 medical; strong English
TAP Air Portugal Cadet Pilot Programme (FTEJerez)
Graduate-placement partnership: FTEJerez ab-initio integrated EASA ATPL graduates meeting TAP criteria are put forward for First Officer assessment in Lisbon; type rating may be included. Self-funded training at FTEJerez (Spain). Also confirmed by Pilot Career News.
SunExpress MPL Cadet Programme
Turkish-German leisure carrier (Turkish Airlines/Lufthansa JV) integrated MPL programme delivered with AYJET; selection via Mollymawk test + B737NG full-motion sim + panel interview; graduates employed by SunExpress. Nationality quirk: Turkish citizens, university graduates, strong English. Confidence: high.
Air Serbia Cadet Programme
National carrier of Serbia relaunched its ab-initio cadet programme in 2024 in partnership with the Aviation Academy in Belgrade; ~10 places per cohort (first cohort 2024/2025), simulator training and mentorship with a path to employment at Air Serbia. Confidence: moderate — confirm a current/open 2026 intake before approving.
easyJet Amy Johnson Flying Initiative
Women pursuing an airline pilot career via easyJet's cadet pilot programme; entry is through the standard easyJet cadet selection process.
Turkish Airlines Flight Academy (TAFA) Cadet Pilot Programme
Ab-initio cadet pilot programme (~15-18 months) via Turkish Airlines Flight Academy. Recruitment notice published annually. NATIONALITY QUIRK: requires Turkish citizenship or blue card, plus a bachelor's degree; age/height/BMI and English-test minimums apply. Apply via annual Turkish Airlines cadet recruitment notice (official apply URL varies by intake).