On Monday 23rd March were delighted to host the final selection process for Flying Scholarship for Disabled People (FSDP)
The scholarships were created in 1983 in memory of Group Captain Sir Douglas Bader and it gives a once in a life time opportunity for disabled people to help realise their abilities through the medium of learning to fly. Since then, over 430 people have been awarded scholarships.
Thank you to Babcock who were able to hangar the aircraft for the assessments, and to Affinity who hosted a visit of their facilities to the candidates.
This year 18 candidates and over 50 supporting staff and trustees arrived to participate in the 3 day selection process. This included 20 volunteers supporting the event, with thanks to 2160 (Sleaford) Sqn ATC who also offered assistance. All the candidates must undertake informal and formal interviews, aviation medicals, theory tests and aircraft familiarisation. The candidates have a range of disabilities and whilst they fully immersed themselves in the process, it was clearly an emotional rollercoaster for many of them and the long days provided them an opportunity to discuss at length how they coped with day to day life with others in a similar situation.
The scholarship provides 16-20 hours flying tuition depending on aircraft type and all associated theory training and examination. They are held over a 2 to 3 week period at 5 UK flying schools, along with a lifetime membership of The Big Wing. The cost of each scholarship is £12,000 and all funding is raised by sponsorship and fundraising. Current sponsors are The RAF Aerobatic Team – the Red Arrows, The Mark Long Trust, Pooleys, BA HighFlight, Boeing, Lockhead Martin, Wings around the World, The Ingram Trust, RAF Typhoon Display Team, and Scholars Scholarship, amongst others who support the charity. For the past 2 years, the Charity has also been able to award 2 Scholars Scholarships to enable a successful candidate to complete further flying training to gain their Private Pilot Licence.
