The Air Pilots Trust

Charity Number: 313606

Annual Expenditure: £0.2M

Stay updated on changes from The Air Pilots Trust and other funders

Get daily notifications about new funding opportunities, deadline changes, and programme updates from UK funders.

Free Email Updates

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: £202,259 (2024)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
  • Decision Time: 4-5 months (applications late Nov/Dec, decisions by April)
  • Grant Range: £4,500 - £10,000+ (per scholarship)
  • Geographic Focus: UK, Commonwealth countries, and Ireland
  • Registered Charity Number: 313606

Contact Details

Address: Air Pilots House, 52A Borough High Street, London SE1 1XN

Phone: 020 7404 4032

Email: office@airpilots.org (general inquiries)

Specific scholarship inquiries:

  • PPL scholarships: ppl@airpilots.org
  • Gliding scholarships: gliding@airpilots.org

Website: https://www.airpilots.org/what-we-do/trusts/apt/

Overview

The Air Pilots Trust (registered charity 313606) was established to promote education in all branches of aviation. The Trust is part of the Honourable Company of Air Pilots and has been supporting aviation education for decades. In the financial year ending 30 September 2024, the Trust received income of £537,760 and distributed £202,259 in charitable activities. The Trust primarily awards scholarships and grants to assist the training in aviation of citizens of the United Kingdom, Commonwealth countries, or Ireland who intend to be or are engaged professionally as Air Pilots or Navigators in commercial aviation. The Trust also supports aviation lectureships, maintains a technical library and information centre, and promotes study and research into aviation and flight problems, including improvements in safety and health of flight crews.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Air Pilots Trust awards several named scholarships and grants annually:

The Sir Sefton Brancker Scholarship (PPL Fixed-Wing)

  • Value: Covers up to 45 hours of flight training (approximately £10,000)
  • Application: Annual application cycle
  • Method: Application form submitted by email, followed by in-person interview in London

Additional Support

  • Named lectureships on aviation
  • Aviation-related research grants
  • Technical library and information centre funding
  • Gliding scholarships (in partnership with other trusts)

In 2024, the Trust co-funded multiple aviation scholarships alongside other Air Pilots-related charitable trusts.

Priority Areas

  • Aviation education and professional pilot training
  • Support for aspiring commercial pilots and navigators
  • Aviation research, particularly relating to flight safety and crew health
  • Aviation lectureships and knowledge dissemination
  • Youth aviation education through gliding programmes

Eligibility

  • Citizens of the United Kingdom, Commonwealth countries, or Ireland
  • Individuals intending to pursue or currently engaged in professional aviation careers as Air Pilots or Navigators in commercial aviation
  • Candidates aged 17 or over (as of June 1st for PPL scholarships)
  • Must be able to satisfy Class 2 Medical Certificate requirements issued in the UK
  • Must be available to complete training by end of September in year of award

What They Don't Fund

Based on the associated Air Pilots Benevolent Fund's restrictions (which informs the wider Air Pilots approach):

  • Repayment of debts
  • Long-term expenses such as school fees
  • Prolonged medical care costs
  • Full professional pilot licences and ratings beyond the specific scholarships offered
Helpful Hinchilla

Ready to write a winning application for The Air Pilots Trust?

Our AI helps you craft proposals that match their exact priorities. Save 10+ hours and increase your success rate.

Get Free Beta Access

Governance and Leadership

Trustees

The Air Pilots Trust is governed by five trustees:

  • The Master (Ex Officio) - John Denyer BSc(Hons) FInstP FRAeS (2024 Master)
  • The Clerk (Ex Officio)
  • Air Cdre Rick Peacock-Edwards
  • Sebastian Pooley Esq
  • Capt Richard Hall

No trustees receive remuneration for their service. The Trust has no employees with benefits over £60,000.

The Master's Perspective

John Denyer, the 2024 Master, has a strong background in aviation science, having worked as a scientist at RAE Farnborough on cockpit lighting for night vision goggles. His aviation journey “started as a child attending Farnborough Air Show” and includes 150 hours as a flight trial observer in British military helicopters.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Initial Contact: Email the Clerk at office@airpilots.org or specific scholarship contacts (ppl@airpilots.org for PPL scholarships, gliding@airpilots.org for gliding scholarships)

Application Requirements:

  • Applications must be completed in the applicant's own handwriting
  • Scan completed application to a three-page PDF document (maximum 3MB)
  • Save using format: forename.surname
  • Submit by email

Important: Applications which are received as single page documents, not saved correctly, include the cover page, submitted as photographs, or in any other form will be disregarded and NOT reviewed.

All applications are acknowledged by an instant automated email with instructions on the selection process.

Decision Timeline

  • Late November/early December: Application forms become available as confirmed scholarships are finalized
  • Application deadline: Typically February/March (varies by scholarship)
  • April: In-person interviews held in London over several days (Zoom interviews may be available at the Company's discretion)
  • Selection made: By late April/early May
  • Training period: June - end of September
  • November: Award celebration ceremony at Cutlers' Hall in the City of London

The selection period is arranged to avoid school/university examination times while providing candidates with maximum good weather months for training completion.

Selection Process

Scholarships are awarded entirely on merit as evidenced on completed application forms and assessed by a selection committee appointed by the Company. Shortlisted candidates are required to attend interviews in London.

Success Rates

Specific application numbers and success rates are not publicly disclosed. However, based on recent years:

  • 2024: 11 PPL scholarships awarded (including the Sir Sefton Brancker Scholarship)
  • 2023: 8 PPL scholarships awarded
  • 2022: 10 PPL scholarships awarded

The competitive nature of the awards suggests applicants should demonstrate exceptional merit and commitment.

Reapplication Policy

No specific reapplication policy is publicly available. Applicants seeking clarification should contact the Trust directly at office@airpilots.org.

Application Success Factors

What the Trust Looks For

Demonstrated Commitment:

“The criteria for successful applications includes demonstrating a serious ambition and ability to pursue an aviation related career, and availability to undertake and complete the scholarship during summer.”

Academic Achievement:

Educational achievements and “demonstrable knowledge and/or experience in science, mathematics or other aviation-related subjects” are important selection factors.

Aviation Passion:

Candidates must demonstrate “a keen interest in aviation, and a strong desire to pursue an aviation career, either as a professional, private or recreational pilot.”

No Experience Required:

“No previous flying experience is required” - applicants can have some flying experience or none at all.

High Commitment Level:

Training must be completed by end of September, “which demands a very high level of commitment.” Successful applicants must be available and dedicated throughout the summer training period.

Application Best Practices

Follow Instructions Precisely:

  • Complete forms in your own handwriting
  • Scan correctly as specified (three-page PDF, max 3MB)
  • Use correct file naming format
  • Do not include cover pages or submit as photographs

Tell Your Story:

Make your application stand out by discussing your personal aviation journey and sharing experiences that make you the best candidate. Be sincere, honest, and express genuine feelings about the industry.

Proofread Carefully:

Have someone else review your application before submission. Applications that don't follow formatting requirements will be disregarded.

Plan for Logistics:

Be prepared to attend in-person interviews in London in April and complete training at a UK training organization by end of September.

Recent Scholar Profile

Jordan Smith won the Sir Sefton Brancker Scholarship in 2024, following Sophie Durbin in 2023. Each scholarship winner submits a detailed report of their experience, demonstrating accountability and the Trust's emphasis on tracking outcomes.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Aviation-specific mission: The Trust exclusively supports aviation education and training - applications must align with professional pilot or navigator career paths
  • Strict formatting requirements: Applications that don't follow precise formatting instructions will be automatically disregarded - attention to detail is critical
  • Merit-based selection: Awards are made entirely on merit, not financial need alone - demonstrate exceptional academic achievement and aviation passion
  • Handwritten applications required: Unlike many modern scholarship programs, applications must be completed in the applicant's own handwriting
  • High commitment expected: Successful applicants must complete training within a compressed summer timeframe (by end of September), requiring significant dedication
  • In-person interviews: Be prepared to travel to London for April interviews - this is typically non-negotiable
  • UK/Commonwealth focus: Eligibility is restricted to UK, Commonwealth, or Irish citizens pursuing aviation careers
  • Relationship with broader Air Pilots organization: The Trust is one of several trusts under the Honourable Company of Air Pilots umbrella - understanding this organizational structure and values may strengthen applications

🎯 You've done the research. Now write an application they can't refuse.

Hinchilla combines funder's specific priorities with your organisation's past successful grants and AI analysis of what reviewers want to see.

✓

Data privacy and security by default

✓

Your organisation's past successful grants and experience

✓

AI analysis of what reviewers want to see

✓

A compelling draft application in 10 minutes instead of 10 hours

Get Beta Access NowLearn More

References