Helicentre Aviation Academy has opened its 2019 UK EASA Professional Helicopter Pilot Scholarship Programme and is now accepting applications for the Commercial Pilot’s Licence and Flight Instructor Certificate. The announcement comes less than two weeks after the company’s US operation launched its inaugural FAA Commercial Pilot Scholarship Programme.
The Programme, which has been highly successful, is now in its seventh year. It was created to meet the company’s growing demand for suitably qualified helicopter pilots for both Commercial Air Transport and Flight Training operations. Previous Scholarship winners have been fully or part-funded through their professional pilot training and have been given career opportunities which have led to full time employment in utility and HEMS roles as well as other sectors of the industry.
Helicentre Aviation Ltd. started training Professional Helicopter Pilots almost twenty years ago and the company is renowned for giving new pilots a foot onto the career ladder. Head of Training, Captain Sarah Bowen explained how the Scholarship Programme has helped with the company’s pilot selection process. “We are constantly recruiting Flight Instructors because pilots gain experience and move up so quickly. Becoming a pilot is not just about flying skill though.” Captain Bowen added.
“Our Scholarship Programme has allowed us to identify and invest in stand-out individuals, fast-tracking them through training and into their first job. Through our Scholarship selection process we have discovered some seriously talented and motivated individuals who have grown from newly qualified pilots into industry professionals. Whilst it’s always sad to lose a great team member, we couldn’t be more delighted knowing they are out there living the dream they once only imagined possible.”
The CPL(H) Scholarship is valued at a generous £55k (GBP), covering the full cost of the ATPL(H) theory course, hour building in the Cabri G2 and Robinson R44, and the CPL(H) modular flying course. The FI(H) Scholarship is worth £20k (GBP) and the award includes a full-time instructing position upon qualification. Applicants must submit their form by 31st December 2018 and obtain their PPL(H) with Helicentre Aviation by 30th September 2019 to be eligible to participate in the selection process.
