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Young Pilots

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Young pilots in Canada looking to pursue their gliding career for passion, pleasure or to position for a professional aviation career have options today that were simply not available to pilots just a few years ago. Not only is there financial support to get young people off the ground, but stuffy old clubs are being refreshed and are welcoming young pilots.

Personally, when I began flying privately, I was so intimidated by the frenetic activity of the flying club and thought I would forever idolize the clubs more advanced aircraft from the ground. Today I fly everything I want, and instructors actively encourage young pilots to climb the aircraft ladder.

The moral of the story here is that the opportunities for young pilots have never been better. The clubs want (need) young people to join the sport and the grants that are available make it VERY affordable. While many of these opportunities exist at other Canadian soaring clubs, the focus of this post may only apply at the flying club I belong to – York Soaring Association.

Youth Flight Canada Bursary

The non-profit Youth Flight Canada, directed by York board member Charles Petersen provides grants of $500 for licensed glider pilots under the age of 22 who are full time students with good grades. The successful candidate will pay a membership fee of just $50 and $5 for every launch!

Click on the link above for details and application rules. But the deadline is May 1st so start thinking about what you can give to the sport of soaring!

SAC Youth Bursary

As if $500 and super low cost launches isn’t enough, the Soaring Association of Canada (SAC) has another $500 they want to give you. You’ll need to fill out your part of the application and then get a letter of recommendation from your clubs CFI.

Women Soaring Pilots Association

Let’s be honest. Gliding is an old boys club. With the opportunities mentioned above, the sport is saying “Come on young people, keep flying!” and with $750 for women pilots under the age of 25, it’s welcoming women into the sport. York Soaring’s CFI and our youngest solo pilot are both women, but York and the whole sport need more – we want more!

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That’s up to $1,750 in grants to fly this summer for women. Even $1,000 for young men is a massive opportunity.  It is honestly is a whole season of flying! Bring a tent or rent a cabin, this summer – learn to really fly – learn to soar.

Let’s get excited about gliding in Canada! Starting now!



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