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HomeLifestyleAutomotiveAviation scholarships – come fly with… thee?

Aviation scholarships – come fly with… thee?

Times Team
By Times Team
May 28, 2026
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Our heads need not be in the clouds to think that our heads really could be in the clouds thanks to recently launched scholarships.

Also known as the Aircraft Owners and Pilots’ Association (AOPA) Trust, ThinkAviation is providing two aspiring aviators with the chance to take to the skies, as the trust’s Mandy Deans explains.

“The Trust has been established to inspire and enable the next generations in aviation. These two new scholarships are just part of our range of programmes that provide pathways into all sectors of aviation, advance education and promote the enduring value of general aviation to New Zealand communities.”

The first scholarship includes $5000 of fixed wing flying training while the second, valued at $10,000, is intended for future helicopter pilots. In both cases, training can be undertaken anywhere in New Zealand, including Ardmore Aerodrome.

The helicopter scholarship is presented in partnership with the James PG Foundation, created in memory of James Patterson-Gardner, an 18-year-old who tragically died in a crash in 2015.

One of the foundation’s primary objectives is to provide opportunities in aviation for young adults, its chair (and James’ mother) Louisa Patterson says.

“We’re delighted to be partnering with ThinkAviation to establish this scholarship and we look forward to supporting the recipient as they grow in this exciting industry.”

Both awardees will be able to benefit from ThinkAviation’s mentoring programme in addition to membership benefits from AOPA.

Applications are open from June 8, closing on July 5. Criteria and application forms are available at www.thinkaviation.nz/scholarships.

 

  • Tags
  • Aircraft Owners and Pilots’ Association
  • AOPA
  • Ardmore Aerodrome. Ardmore
  • flying
  • James Patterson-Gardner
  • Louisa Patterson
  • Mandy Deans
  • scholarships
  • ThinkAviation
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