Helicentre Aviation Academy announces scholarship winner – RotorHub International
Helicentre Aviation Academy, a provider of helicopter pilot training based in the UK, has announced Jack Aldred as this year’s winner of its Commercial Pilot Licence Scholarship. The scholarship provides full funding for post-PPL(H) training, which includes hour building, the ATPL(H) theoretical knowledge course, and the complete CPL(H) modular flying course.
The applicants underwent interviews, presentations, and group assessments, with Aldred ultimately securing the scholarship for his passion for flying and a demonstrable focus and enthusiasm for a career in aviation. He will continue his CPL(H) ground school and begin hour building, which will be followed by the completion of the Commercial flying course on the Cabri G2.
“Our Scholarship programme has been extremely successful, providing winners with much-needed funding to complete their professional training,” said Chris Line, Head of Training Chairman at Helicentre Aviation. “It has also proved to be instrumental in identifying extreme talent, not just in the winning candidates but also in the overall high calibre of applicants. The programme has enabled us to provide numerous students with an array of career opportunities, including working for Helicentre as Charter Pilots, as well as Line Pilots on our numerous utility contracts.”
Line continued: “We are delighted to announce that Jack has been awarded this year’s scholarship. He was an outstanding candidate, demonstrating strength across all aspects of the interview and selection process, despite facing strong competition. We look forward to welcoming him to the Helicentre team upon completion of his training.”
Aldred initially applied to the military to be a pilot, however he was unfortunately declared medically unfit for aircrew. Despite the setback, he decided to pursue a career as a pilot outside of the military, and since he knew he lacked the necessary funds to pay for his own training, he found hope in Helicentre’s CPL(H) scholarship. After moving from Inverness to Leicester to train at the Helicentre Aviation Academy, Aldred started his PPL(H) in April 2024 and achieved his licence in March 2025.
“The process of working through and achieving my PPL(H) with Helicentre has been fantastic,” said Aldred. “A personal highlight was my first solo navigation flight; the feeling of heading out beyond the confines of the airport on my own for the first time was a magical feeling. All the hard work and skills I had learned up to that point came together and it was a day I won’t forget!”
“Winning the scholarship is just totally surreal,” he added. “I have spent years in continuous pursuit of trying to become a pilot and to now be given the chance to make that dream a reality is just amazing and a feeling I will never forget. It’s genuinely life changing and I’m exceptionally grateful for the opportunity and I cannot wait to get started and go on to achieve my commercial helicopter pilots license!”
Photo: Helicentre Aviation Academy
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