We are very pleased to announce that the Coachmakers’ Leatherland Flying Scholarship scheme is open for applications from the 2nd October 2026. The Coachmakers is a City of London Livery Company, raising and distributing charitable funds to help young people make a start on their careers, predominantly within the aerospace, automotive and coach making industries. Awards focus on training and education, for example by sponsoring scholarships at several universities.
As part of these wonderful Coachmakers awards there are four flying scholarships available, each valued at £7,500 offered in partnership with and by kind generosity of the Leatherland Flying Training Trust which was established to manage the legacy of Derek Leatherland who was prior to his death a prolific aviator and supporter of general aviation activities, airfields and flying clubs.
From the 2nd October 2026 we invite applications from young people from aged 17 to 30 years of age, resident in the UK and who have not previously been awarded any such bursary (with the exception of an Air Cadet Scholarship or other limited hour scholarship of 5 hours or less).
The Scholarships seek applicants from those young people who wish to learn to fly in England and Wales for the purposes of leisure flying and personal development. These awards are for full UK or EASA PPL training are not available to support National Private Pilot Licence (NPPL) or commercial flying training and are specifically intended to support personal leisure flying and the associated flying clubs and small airfields.
These four scholarships are awarded annually and will normally fund approximately 50% of the cost of the standard hours training required for a UK or EASA PPL with the remainder to be funded by the scholarship recipient.
No previous flying experience is required, although evidence of a keen interest in aviation is a necessity and having had an air experience flight or trial lesson would be advisable prior to applications being submitted.
Scholarship funds will normally be paid progressively to the individual or to the chosen approved training organisation on production of receipts or invoices for training or services completed. Each payment would normally represent 50% of the costs incurred and would contribute to flying lessons, ground training lesson, equipment, software, and publication costs necessary to complete training and examination fees. All payments will require to be approved by the Coachmakers management team.
Each individual scholarship winner’s progress will be reviewed by the Coachmakers management team every 6 months by agreement for the purpose of supporting the recipient in their training. In the extreme situation of little progress being made the Coachmakers reserve the right to suspend funding.
Any scholarship winner will be required to gain an appropriate, normally a UK CAA class 2, medical certificate prior to the commencement of training and applicants are advised to seek their own information on their personal ability to achieve this perhaps before applying for a scholarship.
Each scholarship winner shall be responsible for selecting their own place to carry out their training which shall be located in England or Wales. The Coachmakers shall require proof that any chosen organisation holds the appropriate and current UK CAA Approved Training Organisation certification prior to the award of a scholarship. Applicants are advised to research this prior to attending any selection interview they may be invited to attend.
The closing date for applications is the 31st January 2027.
Short listed candidates will be informed that they have been selected for an interview with a small panel of very nice, experienced aviation professionals by the 20th February 2027. Note that there are no selection tests for the scholarship, the Coachmakers and the Leatherland Trust are interested in investing in the person and their personal development.
Selection interviews will be held on the 27th and 28th of February 2027 at a location to be decided in the south east of England. Applicants should ensure that they are able to attend at their own expense.
Key Dates For Applicants
| 31st January 2027 | Applications close at midnight. |
| 20th February 2027 | Applicants short listed for interview notified. |
| 27th / 28th February 2027 | Selection interviews held. |
| 5th March 2027 | Scholarship winners notified. |
| Easter 2027 | Start flying training. |
Please read our associated terms and conditions, which can be viewed here.
To apply for the scholarship candidates should complete the online application form here.
For any questions about the scholarship please contact Neil Sheath