One of our association's aims is to re-instil in the hearts of our younger Australians, and indeed younger people all over the world, an enthusiasm for aircraft and for flying as a recreational sport.
The 'Giving Young Flyers Training Support' [GYFTS] fund was launched at NATFLY 2008. The intention is to provide scholarships to deserving and capable young flyers that enable them to continue their flight training when they may otherwise be unable to do so, due to financial hardship. Each year, if every one of our members contributes just $2, the fund could support flight training scholarships with a total value exceeding $15 000. There is a place provided for members to specify any amount on the various annual renewal forms.
In 2009, Airservices Australia generously awarded Recreational Aviation Australia's GYFTS program an annual grant of $25 000 to be distributed (for 2010, 2011 and 2012) to
ten young flyers between the ages of 15 and 20. RA-Aus greatly appreciates Airservices Australia's support of this very important program.
Airservices spokesperson Rob Walker said the agreement recognised the essential role played by RA-Aus as part of a vibrant, growing Australian aviation industry. "We're proud to support the work of the organisation as they help young people learn to fly, operate safely and possibly consider a future career in our industry", Mr Walker said. "This agreement is part of our wider contribution to the aviation industry in general and we look forward to building on this association with RA-Aus."
Flight training support goals and objectives
The aims of the Airservices Australia/RA-Aus joint program are to:
- introduce young people to the sport of recreational aviation
- develop responsible and safe flying attitudes
- offer a basis of aviation knowledge for advancement and careers in recreational, military or general commercial aviation
- assist young people to complete their flying training at minimal cost
- encourage young people to become active long-term members of the recreational aviation community.
Definition of young people
Flying training support from Airservices Australia grants is available to male and female students who are fifteen years old by the 1st January of the year they commence training and will not have turned age twenty-one by the 31st of December of that year. Support for students between the ages of 21-24 is available from the RA-Aus member's GYFTS grants. These grants are capped at $1000.
Types of support available
- Flight training lessons with an instructor up to a total of $2500
- Theory books and navigation gear (not GPS) to a total of $150.00
The flyers training support selection criteria
Applicants must demonstrate an aptitude for flying, a commitment to aviation, and financial need. These are the foremost requirements of the selection process.
Additionally, applicants must have demonstrated a desire to learn to fly by having commenced training.
In exceptional circumstances, candidates who have not commenced training because of financial hardship or distance from a Flight Training School may be considered.
Each applicant under the age of 18 years must submit written approval from a parent and/or guardian.
Each applicant must contact and then nominate two non-family members to act as referees whom RA-Aus may contact, and who can attest to the applicant's interest and commitment to aviation.
For example:
- teachers, youth workers, club leaders
- a licensed/certificated pilot who knows the applicant.
Exclusions
Previous flying training support winners are ineligible for further flying scholarships from RA-Aus.
Relatives of current RA-Aus Board members or managers are also ineligible. Relatives of instructors are ineligible to apply if learning from that relative.
The process
Applicants shall:
Forward a completed application form to the RA-Aus GYFTS program assessment panel. Applications have opened for the 2012 program; the deadline for applications for that program is 31 January 2012.
Be assessed by a CFI on ability, aptitude, attitude and need at the candidate's own expense. The assessment panel shall conduct an assessment of ability, attitude, aptitude and need and short list candidates if necessary.
The assessment panel
The assessment panel shall be comprised of a permanent chair and at least two RA-Aus members and shall:
- acknowledge all applications
- prepare a confidential shortlist of candidates from the applications and carry out interviews if necessary
- prepare a list of graded applicants for final approval by the assessment panel
- advise short listed applicants of the scholarship assistance outcomes and recipients of the scholarship support
- advise the scholarship support recipient of the type of support to be granted.
The GYFTS support recipients must:
- live within practical distance of an airfield with transport means to the airfield
- be in good physical health and be able to enter and exit an aircraft without assistance
- be able to sign a medical declaration that they are of fit and healthy to a standard equivalent to that required by a motor vehicle drivers licence
- be emotionally fit to fly
- be willing and able to spend time on study and various ongoing club activities; e.g. aircraft maintenance
- complete their training and obtain their Pilot Certificate within ten months of receiving the scholarship
- the scholarship will be paid progressively, on production of an invoice from a flying school, signed by the CFI who will notify RA-Aus of satisfactory progress by that signing.
- Commencement of training costs, such as initial BAK tests.
- Transport to and from the training facility.
- Insurance.
RA-Aus would expect that students who benefit from this scheme might:
- use prior learning of flight hours and pilot certificate to convert to recreational, general and military aviation
- have better job opportunities and career path for recreational, military or airline aviation, Airservices Australia and the Civil Aviation Safety Authority.
For more information and to have a look at the 2012 application forms, contact your CFI, or you can download the three parts:
GYFTS 2012 Airservices and RA-Aus application form
GYFTS 2012 Airservices and RA-Aus information and support sheet
GYFTS 2012 Confidential CFI report
Scholarship winners for 2011
Students awarded $2500 from the Airservices Australia grant:
- Matthew Warren – Young, NSW
- Jack Shellcot – Darwin, NT
- Thomas Black – Pakenham, Vic
- Brandon Kelly – Coffs Harbour, NSW
- Raechi Love – Clear Mountain Qld
- Elliott Hull – Wagga Wagga, NSW
- Gavin Byrd – Hobart, Tas
- Emily Lewis – Curra, Qld
- Joseph Masters – Brisbane, Qld
- Billy Mitchell – Sunbury, Vic
Students each awarded $1000 for flight training from the RA-Aus members GYFTS fund:
- Joseph Faulkner – George Town, Tas
- Ben Frankel – Wangaratta, Vic
- Matthew Carey – Ringwood, Vic
- Ethan Moyle – Bendigo, Vic
- William Turner – Warrandyte, Vic
- Jake Rees – Finley, NSW
- William Hughes – Capaluba, Qld
- Thomas Neale – Echuca, Vic
- Sarah Webster – Hammondville, NSW
- Dylan Bland – Sale, Vic