Learn to fly a helicopter - for free

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WOULD you like to learn to fly a helicopter? Are you looking for a career in aviation? Are you aged between 18 and 23, a British national, and healthy enough to pass a Class 1 medical?

If you answer yes to all these questions, you are eligible to apply for the 2009 Dennis Kenyon Helicopter Scholarship. Apply now!

THE SCHOLARSHIP
The winner will get fully-funded tuition from Dennis Kenyon through to JAA PPL(H) stage. That includes 50 hours' flight time and all costs.

Not only is the course itself worth tens of thousands of pounds, but it is a rare opportunity to learn with the master himself. Dennis doesn't teach full-time, and selects his students carefully.

The winner will learn with Dennis at Shoreham Airport near Brighton, in a Robinson R44. Costs including insurance, fuel, landing fees, text books, nav equipment, and licence application fees will all be covered - as, of course, will Dennis' priceless tuition. The only thing the winner will foot the bill for is accommodation and subsistence during tuition.

TO APPLY
The scholarship is open to British nationals between 18 and 23, who don't already have a licence to fly.

To apply for a scholarship position, send a covering letter including a CV with evidence of age (ie photo, driving licence), and an essay of up to 300 words outlining why you believe you should be awarded the 2009 scholarship. Outline your career path to date, and interests and hobbies.

Applications will be acknowledged by email so it is vital you include a valid email address.

Candidates should be fit enough to hold a CAA Class One medical certificate and be able to absorb, on a self-study basis, the ground subjects, and flying instruction.

Those short-listed for a final aptitude test will need to be in possession of the medical certificate. Only British Nationals are eligible for the scholarship.

The winner of the course will be required to pass the final Skills Test and the seven associated ground subjects to qualify for the helicopter licence. They are: Air Law, Meteorology, Navigation, Flight Planning, Radio Telephony, Human Performance and the helicopter-specific Aircraft, Engines and Aerodynamics.

THE INTERVIEW
The scholarship committee will select a short list of the best candidates, who will be invited to attend an interview and presentation, to take place over a weekend at a suitable airfield.

They will be asked an identical set of questions, and then the candidates will have to give a short 15-minute presentation to the committee on a pre-advised subject related to helicopter theory.

Candidates will be scored by the committee individually on a subject-by-subject basis and then three finalists will be selected based on their accumulated scores.

The selected finalists will be invited to attend a final selection flying aptitude test at Shoreham Airport to be conducted by an experienced flying instructor. His brief will be to determine the winning candidate on the basis of who has demonstrated the best flying aptitude, aviation commitment, motivation and determination to succeed.

The decision will be announced by the scholarship chairman at a meeting of the committee, whose decision is final. The two runners-up will be awarded a trial lesson to be flown at a later date.

THE WINNER
The scholarship winner will commence the PPL(H) flying course in the latter part of 2009. This should be carried out over a consecutive four/five week period, if possible.

HOW THE SCHOLARSHIP STARTED
The Dennis Kenyon Junior Helicopter Scholarship is in memory of Dennis Kenyon Junior who was sadly lost in March 2000.

He started his flying aged 14 and was the youngest pilot to qualify for training as a helicopter instructor at age 18. He was also a qualified fixed-wing pilot.

The Scholarship's goal is to open a new career in helicopter flight to a young pilot who would otherwise be unable to do this. Previous winners have been Zoe Spain of Ascot, Hannah Nobbs of Malden and Georgie Dixon of Oundle.

SEND YOUR APPLICATION TO:
The Dennis Kenyon Scholarship Secretary
c/o LOOP Publishing
9-11 The Mill Courtyard
Copley Hill Business Park
Cambridge CB22 3GN

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