THE ULSTER Flying Club has unveiled an unprecedented series of five new bursaries to fund learner pilots’ journeys into the skies following a major anonymous donation.
The Newtownards club aims to strip away the financial barriers associated with pursuing a career as a pilot, in a bid to ‘keep the spirit of flight alive’ and be more accessible to those who might not otherwise be able to afford full pilot training which can run to several thousands of pounds.
The UFC 2026 Student Bursary Fund marks a ‘significant financial initiative designed to help dedicated club members achieve their aviation dreams’ and coincides with the 65th anniversary year of the Ulster Flying Club’s founding in 1961.
The fund is aimed at learners who have already commenced their flying careers, who have clocked up 20 flying hours
and have either taken their first solo flight or who have reached solo flight standard.
The fund has been generously donated from a long-standing supporter of the club, who wishes to remain anonymous. It has been topped up by UFC members ‘creating a significant pot of financial aid intended to help up to five student pilots reach their next major milestones’.
The bursary will greatly assist prospective pilots, who can spend between £15,000 to £17,000 learning to fly. A private pilots licence requires a minimum 45 hours of flight time.
A national private pilots licence requires 32 hours, and is a popular route for recreational flyers, costing between £4,000 and £7000.
Mark McConville, UFC Chairman said: “The bursary is aimed at students who have already shown considerable dedication to their training. Whether a student is aiming for a professional career with a commercial airline or seeking to overcome personal challenges to achieve a lifelong goal in general aviation, this fund provides the means to do so.
“We are thrilled to be able to offer this level of support to our members. Aviation is a demanding but incredibly rewarding pursuit and we can now ease the financial journey for several of our most committed students.
“This isn’t just about flying hours, it’s about investing in the future of Northern Ireland aviation,” he said.
The 2026 Student Bursary will cover costs for flight training, ground school and essential training materials provided by the UFC, with students who have already shown commitment to flying being selected by a bursary panel who will make their assessments on their progress to date and future aspirations.
Club members will receive an invitation to apply, but they can also request an application pack, including criteria and guidance notes by emailing fly@ulsterflyingclub.com before the deadline for submission on April 25.
