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The Hastings District Flying Club (HDFC) is offering two $1500 flying scholarships to youths who have a keen professional interest in aviation in the Hastings district.
HDFC has been offering flying scholarships since 1961 and 33 scholarships have since been awarded to encourage youths to let their flying dreams soar.
The scholarship training is valid for 12 months and will lead to a recreational aviation Australian pilot certificate.
During this time, instructor and briefing costs are undertaken by the student while HDFC membership and BAK theory kit are provided by the club.
Successful candidates will contribute an equivalent of $1500 which gives them $3000 credit toward aircraft hire.
HDFC's recreational aviation instructors will tutor the successful candidates.
Training is undertaken in the Sling aircraft over seven days a week.
HDFC president Rod Davison said this year one of the scholarships is being financed by the Ludriks and Baker families from Wauchope.
"We are extremely grateful to Jimmi, Mathew and their families for their wonderful support," he said.
"Both Jimmi and Mathew were previous recipients of a HDFC scholarship and are now flying with Cathay Pacific.
"We have seen our youth go very far since their training with HDFC."
We have seen our youth go very far since their training with HDFC.
- Rod Davison
Mr Davison said Jimi is one of the inaugural recipients, and is now a Boeing 747 first officer with Cathay Pacific.
As one of the leaders in recreational flying training, we have highly qualified instructors who have experience in many facets of aviation.
We consider it our duty to continue to encourage youths to take to the skies and keep looking up, he said.
"Passion must be nurtured by the right experience for their talents to soar," Mr Davison said.
HDFC brings the love for flying deep into the heart of the community. The passion for aviation is available to everyone to enjoy and it will continue to bring people together.
HDFC takes aviation to another level of professionalism, safety and respect.
Awarding scholarships to dedicated youths is their way of giving back to the community and keeping the joy for aviation vibrant through the years.
Last year we awarded flying scholarships to Maxwell Mangan, Nicholas Tessede and Abbey Sheather-Welsh.
"This is vital to HDFCs continuing success where we encourage young aviators to train with us before progressing to commercial aviation.
"We have the right expertise with highly dedicated and respected instructors to guide new youths in aviation.
We know we are able to provide them with a solid foundation to give them a step ahead in their flying career.
- Rod Davison
"We know we are able to provide them with a solid foundation to give them a step ahead in their flying career.
The scholarship is open to youths between 14 and 20 years of age.
The most recent school report is required as well as a written outline of their motivation for flying.
Applicants have to do a $99 trial introductory flight to assess their aptitude. Interested youths are required to submit their applications by Sunday, October 13, 2019.
Scholarship information is available on the HDFC website.
The Hastings District Flying Club (HDFC) was formed on September 8, 1958 to encourage older people to learn to fly, though the emphasis was particularly on younger people keen to progress to commercial aviation.
HDFC operates a flying club and recreational aviation flying school with a hangar and clubhouse at the airport.
The club has 165 members and owns two aircraft which pilots can hire for $150/hour.
Visitors are welcome to share flying stories on the first Friday of each month from 5pm at the clubhouse.
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