Category: Scholarships-closed

Applications for this scholarship are now closed.

We invite you to read about scholarship winner Tracey Rich.

The info below is is for historical reference only.

The Scholarship package includes $5,000 NZD towards flight hours for a PPL, thanks to PacAvia International Ltd. The package also includes benefits from The Aircraft Owners and Pilots’ Association of New Zealand.

All the details and guidelines are provided below. Please read them before beginning your application.

For any questions regarding the scholarship or to be a sponsor for future scholarships, please contact us.

Key dates:

• Applications open: 8 June 2026
• Applications close: 5 July 2026
• Flying training organisation provides supporting info: 6 July – 26 July 2026
• Winner announced : 8 September 2026

Resources:

• Guidelines for applicants & flying training organisation, terms and conditions
• Example of questions in the application form
• Example of Flying Training Organisation questionnaire

Applications for this scholarship are now closed.

We invite you to read about scholarship winner Caleb Orange

The info below is is for historical reference only.

This Scholarship for aspiring helicopter pilots was launched in 2026, through a partnership with the James PG Foundation.

For any questions regarding the scholarship or to be a sponsor for future scholarships, please contact us.

All the details and guidelines are provided below. Please read them before beginning your application.

Key dates:

• Applications open: 8 June 2026
• Applications close: 5 July 2026
• Flying training organisation provides supporting info: 6 July – 26 July 2026
• Winner announced : 8 September 2026

The Scholarship package includes:

• $4,750 NZD towards flight hours for a PPL(H) – approximately 5 hours in a Cabri G2.
• $3,000  worth of support to attend the Aviation Industry Association Annual Conference, including accommodation & travel
• $ 750 of Aviation apparel from Eye In The Sky, James PG Foundation, Over The Top.
• $1,500  of support to complete a HUET (Helicopter Underwater Evacuation Training) course, including accommodation & travel.
• Additional benefits from AOPA NZ.

Main eligibility criteria

• Open to NZ Citizens, living in NZ, aged between 17 and 25 years old at application closing date.
• Scholarship winner may not conduct any training in a Robinson helicopter during scholarship funding period.
• Other criteria and eligibility details included in the resources below.

Resources:

• Guidelines for applicants & flying training organisation, terms and conditions
• Example of questions in the application form – to help you prepare
• Example of flying training organisation questionnaire – to help you prepare

Applications are now closed

Read about the winners of all our Scholarships

We are delighted to announce our second scholarship. It’s a scholarship that provides funding towards a trainee’s costs of a Commercial Pilot’s Licence (CPL).

Applicants who have already have their PPL and have undertaken at least 20 hours of flying with a flight school or aero club, will be able to apply. The successful recipient will be awarded:

• A scholarship provides a NZ$7,500 contribution to your training
• A one year membership to AOPA NZ
• A subscription to Approach Magazine – the quarterly magazine of AOPA NZ
• An AOPA NZ Calendar
• Access to the AOPA NZ and AOPA NZ Charitable Trust (“Think Aviation”) newsletters

Applications will be open from July 7th through August 18th 2025. Scholarships will be announced on September 22nd 2025.

Applications are now closed

Applications are now closed

Read about the winners of all our Scholarships

We are delighted to announce our first scholarship. It’s a scholarship that provides funding towards a trainee’s costs of a Private Pilot’s Licence (PPL).

Applicants who have already undertaken at least 2 hours of flying with a flight school or aero club, but no more than 30 hours, will be able to apply. The successful recipient will be awarded:

• A scholarship provides a NZ$5,000 contribution to your training
• A one year membership to AOPA NZ
• A subscription to Approach Magazine – the quarterly magazine of AOPA NZ
• An AOPA NZ Calendar
• Access to the AOPA NZ and AOPA NZ Charitable Trust (“Think Aviation”) newsletters

Applications will be open from July 7th through August 18th 2025. Scholarships will be announced on September 22nd 2025.

Applications are now closed

We’re thrilled to announce that the trust’s first two scholarships.

There are two scholarships on offer, and if you follow the link below you can find a little more detail on each, and register your interest to get an application pack from us.

The first is a scholarship to help people working toward their Private Pilot’s Licence (PPL) – click here.

The second is a scholarship to help people working toward their Commercial Pilot’s Licence (CPL) – click here.

Watch this space as more scholarships are announced in the coming months. And of course, to be kept fully up to date at all times, join our mailing list!

Happy flying!