It's reassuring to see team spirit and camaraderie emerging from adversity By Alison Field, nextGen member A fter my journey applying for scholarships, Im delighted to say that over summer 2020 I received two opportunities. The first scholarship was awarded through the British Women Pilots Association (BWPA), in conjunction with easyPPL. It gives me access to online course material that breaks down the theory behind the nine private-pilot licence exams. As you work through each subject, you can sit mock tests, which boosts your confidence for the real exams. Being furloughed during summer gave me time to study and drive forward my commitment to flying. Once lockdown restrictions eased, I began working towards my licence by starting to pass the theory exams. The BWPA was founded in 1955 and is a valuable support network for female pilots. You can benefit from the advice and knowledge of members from several generations, and at all levels in their career. This year, we set up and launched regional groups around the UK, to socialise with other pilots in our area, share experiences and learn from each other. I am coordinator of the Scottish region and have thoroughly enjoyed taking on this new role and challenge. In England, we have South-west, North-west, Midlands, Essex and Hertfordshire groups. It has been a positive opportunity that has developed because of the global pandemic, allowing us to meet virtually. When restrictions allow, we plan to meet in person for events. My second scholarship is through the Air League, a leading aviation and aerospace charity of which I am proud to be a part. The COVID-19 pandemic has prevented me from taking up the 12-hour flying scholarship at the moment, but the date for completion has been extended to May 2021. Hopefully, it will become a reality soon and will significantly help towards the cost of gaining my first licence. It is a great idea when applying for scholarships to continue looking for opportunities such as volunteering alongside working towards my goals, for example, I have supported young adults studying science, technology, engineering and maths through the Aviatrix Project. COVID-19 has presented a unique challenge to the world this year, and forced candidates to put their aviation career ambitions on hold. New scholarships albeit fewer of them are still becoming available, however, so it is crucial to keep an eye out. Currently, these are mainly geared towards maintaining the validity of your skills and licences. The aviation industry has been one of the sectors hardest-hit by COVID-19, so it is reassuring to see real team spirit and camaraderie among our community of aviators. It is important to help each other, and to continue to look forward to the industry bouncing back, perhaps in a new way.