A CADET scholarship scheme has been launched by Bristol and Glos Gliding Club at Nympsfield to pay for youngsters to learn to fly.

A limited number of cadets will be sponsored for a season, from March to September.

The applicants must demonstrate a strong interest in gliding, aviation and learning to fly. The prime objectives of the scheme are to introduce young people to the sport of gliding and train them to solo standard.

Any young person between 14 and 18 can apply, with parents’ permission to drive club vehicles on the airfield. No formal qualifications are required but candidates must be numerate, literate and able to understand and follow intricate instructions.

The club is a busy, adult environment. The candidate must be self-assured, outgoing and resilient.

Candidates must be able to reach comfortably all of the controls in the club’s training gliders, which normally means a minimum height of 1.55 metres.

Details of the scheme are on the bggc.co.uk website and there is a link to an application form.

Applications must include a short article (maximum 500 words) on why they would like to receive the sponsorship. The closing date for completed applications is Saturday, January 25 and candidates will be notified of the outcome by Friday, February 28.

For more information office@bggc.co.uk or call 01453 860342.