ORDER
NO 5. THE ROYAL AIR FORCES
ASSOCIATION (RAFA) - FLYING SCHOLARSHIP SCHEME
INTRODUCTION
11.
The RAFA Flying Scholarship scheme provides the winning candidate a
course of up to 35 hours flying training, and up to 12 hours for the four
runners up, in light aircraft primarily to encourage young people of high
calibre to obtain a National Private Pilots Licence.
The scheme is open to male and female members of the Air Training Corps.
12.
These scholarships are provided as a thank you to members of the Air
Training Corps for all the support they give to the RAFA each year in helping to
raise funds for the Wings Appeal.
13.
Training is given at selected clubs throughout the UK and covers all/part
of the tuition needed for the award-holder to obtain or go towards the
completion of a National Private Pilots Licence (NPPL) up to a maximum of 35
hours flying. This is not open to
those who already hold a NPPL or POL with a single Engine Piston-engined (SEP)
aircraft rating.
14.
Eligibility. A
candidate must have been a member of the Air Training Corps for at least 12 months
immediately prior to applying.
15.
Nationality Requirements. A
candidate must have been a Commonwealth citizen or a citizen of the Republic of
Ireland since birth or have been born in a country or territory, which is (or
then was) within the Commonwealth or Republic of Ireland.
16.
Each parent of a candidate must have been born in a country or territory
which is (or then was) within the Commonwealth or Republic of Ireland and each
parent must be (or was at death) a Commonwealth citizen or a citizen of the
Republic of Ireland and is, or has been, one or the other at all times since
birth.
17.
The term ‘Commonwealth citizen’ includes:
a.
British citizen.
b.
British Dependent Territory citizen.
c.
British overseas citizen.
d.
British subject under British Nationality Act 1981.
e.
Citizen of an independent Commonwealth country.
18.
A waiver of the nationality requirements above may be granted under
exceptional circumstances by application to the Royal Air Forces Association.
19.
Residence Requirements. Candidates,
whether or not they are of UK origin, should normally have resided in the UK for
a minimum of 5 years immediately preceding their application.
In certain circumstances, particularly where an applicant is of UK
origin, a shorter period of residence may be accepted and a waiver of part of
the requirement may be granted provided that evidence of assimilation into the
UK can be demonstrated.
20.
Educational Qualifications. A
candidate must, at the time of application, hold GCSE awards at Grade C or
higher in English Language, Mathematics and 3 other subjects, only one of which
may be non-academic (eg art, music), or the equivalent of such passes.
21.
Age Limits. A
candidate must be at least 17 years of age and under 20 years of age at the
first of January of the year of application.
22.
Flying training will not commence before the age of 17 and will not be
undertaken without the written consent off a parent or guardian where the
candidate is under the age of 18.
23.
General Requirements. A
candidate must be medically fit and able to obtain a UK NPPL medical declaration
of health from his/her doctor.
24.
A candidate must be prepared to undergo a Flying Scholarship aptitude
test.
25.
Winning candidates must be able to attend a course of flying training for
a continuous period of up to 45 days. Due
to winter weather conditions it is assumed that the training will normally take
place between the first of June and the end of October 2005.
26.
Winning candidates will be expected to attend the RAF Association Annual
Conference at either Blackpool or Bournemouth, to be presented with their
scholarships personally by the RAF Chief of Staff or his representative.
SELECTION
PROCEDURE
27.
Method of Application. Applicants
are to be nominated by a RAF Association Branch or Squadron Commander and
applications must be submitted by 31 January 2005 for consideration in that
year. However, applications for unsuccessful candidates will not be
considered until at least 12 months have elapsed from the date of the
previous application. Application
forms can be obtained from the RAF Association Area HQ or the RAF Association
CHQ, or from the website www.rafa.org.uk.
28.
Application forms should be submitted by a RAF Association Branch or Air
Trainings Corps Squadron to the RAF Association Central HQ, 117˝ Loughborough
Road, Leicester LE4 5ND and short-listed candidates will be informed by mid
March of the year of application.
29.
Selection Procedure. Short
listed candidates will be invited to the RAF Offices and Aircrew Selection
Centre (OASC), RAF Cranwell, Lincs for a board interview that includes flying
scholarship aptitude tests and an interview.
Candidates will then be debriefed and advised in writing whether or not
they have been successful.
30.
The decision of the selection board is final.
31.
Expenses. Second
class rail fare will be paid from a candidate’s place of residence to RAF OASC. Meals and accommodation will be provided for the duration of
the tests. The maximum allowances
will be notified separately. Similar
arrangements apply to award winning candidates attending the RAF Association
Annual Conference venues.
32.
Training. Practical
arrangements for the implementation of flying scholarship awards are made by the
RAF Association in conjunction with the Air League Educational Trust.
33.
Flying courses must be completed by the end of March the following year.
However, training normally takes place during the spring or summer of
that year with a view to completion of training by the end of the year.
34.
If the flying school is beyond daily travelling from the candidate’s
home, the RAF Association may contribute towards board and lodging.
However, candidates will be expected to pay for their own transport costs
to the flying school.
35.
Flying scholarships are valid only until the end of March the following
year from the award. An award not completed or taken up within this period cannot
be carried over to the following year, unless it is due to circumstances beyond
the candidate’s control (eg sudden illness or exceptional weather conditions).
36.
A candidate who fails to meet the required standards and cannot complete
the course will not be given a second chance.