Squadron Leader Samantha Freebairn is a C-17A Globemaster II pilot in the RAAF (ADF)
Aspiring female pilots are encouraged to apply for the AUS$7,000 Navigation Component Scholarship and $2500 Formation/Aerobatic Endorsement Scholarship for 2016, both offered by the Australia Women Pilots’ Association (AWPA) and sponsored by the Royal Australian Air Force.
The AWPA Navigation Component Scholarship helps female pilots with the flight training costs of completing the navigation component of a private or commercial powered fixed-wing pilot licence. The AWPA Formation/Aerobatic Endorsement Scholarship assists with gaining a formation or aerobatic endorsement.
Chief of Air Force Air Marshal Leo Davies praised the AWPA Scholarships as a positive initiative for encouraging and assisting females to pursue flying careers, saying, “I understand how expensive and challenging it can be to pursue a career as a pilot, and the Navigation Component Scholarship is designed to help support the fantastic young women who are committed to this great profession.”
“The opportunity to further develop flying skills with a formation or aerobatic endorsement is also significant,” he added, “which the Formation/Aerobatic Endorsement Scholarship aims to support. Air Force is committed to gender diversity, and is proud to sponsor these scholarships. I enthusiastically invite any young female pilots in training to apply.”
Applicants for the scholarships must be aged between 15 and 27, and must be a financial member of AWPA or have lodged a membership application prior to 1 January 2016. Applications close on 31 January 2016. More information and application forms are available from the AWPA website at www.awpa.org.au.
