London Biggin Hill Airport Scholarship Recipient

The UK's London Biggin Hill Airport has announced the recipient of the 2019 Nick Davidson Memorial Flying Scholarship (NDMFS). 22-year-old Joshua Ali will receive a scholarship package worth £12,000, training to the international Private Pilot Licence (PPL) standard. The course includes 45 hours of flying with EFG Flying School, ground school instruction and examinations. Joshua will work at EFG Flying School's operation desk as he completes his flight training; learning about aircraft maintenance and refuelling.

Captain Gary Merchant, chairman, NDMFS Trust, said: "We couldn't be prouder of Joshua. Our scholarships are not for the faint-hearted or the ill-prepared. The NDMFS stamp of high attainment will continue to provide inspiration and leadership for young men and women seeking worthwhile careers on the flight deck or in the cockpit."

Joshua's ambition to become a pilot started from a young age, seeing him taking part in flying days, gliding lessons and airfield visits. During his degree studies at the University of Reading, he spent a year on detachment in Australia, flying regularly with Melbourne Gliding Club.

The Nick Davidson Memorial Flying Scholarship was set up in 2012 following the death of Airbus Captain and local pilot Nick Davidson, who worked as a flight instructor at London Biggin Hill Airport in the early 1990s. The scheme provides flying scholarships thanks to the support of Nick's wife Alina and co-sponsors London Biggin Hill Airport, Shipping & Airlines, Adams Aviation Supply Company, Pooleys Flight Equipment and Falcon Flying Servivces, which owns the EFG Flying School.