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British Women Pilots' Association

@bwpa_uk

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✈️ Promoting women in aviation in the UK since 1955
🤝 Run by volunteers to support & inspire pilots
👩‍✈️ Build connections via events & scholarships

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🎟 Want a free ticket to come to @pilotcareerslive next month at Heathrow?

We have 5 tickets to give away and it couldn't be easier to win, all you have to do is comment below. The giveaway will be running across all our social media accounts, so the tickets will go quick!

#PilotCareersLive #giveaway #freetickets #bwpa #womeninaviation by @bwpa_uk

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2 days ago

✈️ Congratulations to BWPA member Isla Watson @isla.aviatrix for going solo on Tuesday with @skyborne_us out in Vero Beach!

Isla says 'I'm so happy to have been able to solo here in Vero Beach with Skyborne. It's such a rewarding feeling after having completed 6 months of ground school in the UK and many lessons covering circuits and emergency procedures. I look forward to my future flights here!'

#bwpa #firstsolo #studentpilot #commercialpilottraining #womeninaviation taken in Vero Beach, Florida by @bwpa_uk

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7 days ago

✈️ Saturday was a rather exciting day for former BWPA Chairwoman Sharon Nicholson @sharon.nicho1son as she flew her first airshow display in @g_pbya at Duxford.

Her husband Tad @flyer2001_photo tells us the whole story over the photo captions.

On Saturday Sharon made her display debut as the second pilot in the Catalina during Duxford's Flying Finale airshow. This has been the culmination of a lot of hard work this year, starting off with becoming a shareholder in the Catalina. Then followed the training and Sharon obtained her Catalina type rating - I was on board the aircraft when she took the test with a promise that I would not move around too much! Photos of this flight had been posted previously.

There are quite a few pilots in the group, so flying is shared out, but opportunities to fly arise and Sharon was able to fly in the right hand seat to the family day in Luton where she met some BWPA members. Next came the huge adventure, flying to Malmen in Sweden, where the Catalina was taking part in the Swedish Air Force Centenary show. While she did not fly the display, she did take over for approximately an hour on the outbound sector, just as we crossed the shore into Denmark and on the return journey to Duxford, about 1 3/4 hours. Meanwhile, she had also flown a display practice.'

'Finally the opportunity arose and Sharon was selected to fly as 2nd pilot for the display at Duxford. This was the achievement for this year. The display included a formation flight from the West to East with the @thefightercollection Hawker Nimrod Mk I which is shown in some of the photos. The aircraft is rather large, so it is difficult to see Sharon in the cockpit, but she is visible in some. The day started with a maintenance flight at 08:30 and then followed the Pilots' briefing at 10:30. Sharon's first time in that environment. It was there that she met and chatted with Ben Dunnell who was the commentator for that day.'

'After the briefing, then the wait for the display slot, filled somewhat with carrying out a check on the aircraft and also the all important walkthrough of the display routine with the Captain and DA holder. You might see pilots doing such taken in IWM Duxford by @bwpa_uk

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8 days ago

🎄 We know many of you have been waiting to find out where this year’s BWPA AGM & Christmas Lunch will be held, so we’re delighted to finally reveal the venue…

📍 @bailbrookhousehotel Bath!

We’re just finalising the menu choices, and once those are confirmed, bookings will be open.

Keep an eye out for further details — we’ll let you know as soon as bookings go live! 🎄✈️

#bwpa #BWPAScholarships #bwpaawards #christmas #bwpasocial taken in Bailbrook House Hotel by @bwpa_uk

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9 days ago

🏆 Last chance to get your nominations in for the BWPA Awards, nominations close at 8pm TONIGHT! Our awards cover a vast array of achievements, types of flying and skills.

Make your nomination via the link in our bio

#bwpaawards #femalepilot #bwpa #awards by @bwpa_uk

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10 days ago

✈️ A fantastic achievement for BWPA Scholarships Coordinator Amber Dash @the_dashs_inc who passed her Single-Pilot Jet Type Rating on Monday!

Amber is now looking forward to starting her new role flying the Eclipse Jet. Congratulations, Amber, and best of luck in your new position!

#bwpa #womeninaviation #jetrating #eclipsejet #commercialpilot by @bwpa_uk

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12 days ago

✈️ Congratulations to 2025 BWPA TAGS PPL Ground School Scholarship winner Genevieve Desmond @genevievedesmond on passing her PPL skills test at @staplefordflightcentre 🥳

Genevieve says 'Huge milestone for me! I originally started my journey at Southend with an RAF scholarship of 20 flying hours 25 years ago, but couldn’t complete my training due to a lack of funding. I self-funded my way through University, putting my flying dreams on hold at 18, but it always felt like an unfinished goal.

I decided to start my PPL training in 2022 at Stapleford. As a working mum of 3 studying for additional qualifications, as well as a PPL, it was full on but enjoyable. After another brief pause I restarted in 2025, building solo time and getting my QXC ticked off.

The BWPA scholarship helped hugely at a key time in the journey, offering support to help me cross the finish line with my theory and FRTOL in early 2026.

I’ve enjoyed building and honing my skills - it’s so satisfying when something goes well after working hard at it! I’m already looking forward to the next stage of the journey as I’ve joined a syndicate group for a PA28 based at Southend. This is particularly exciting for me as I will be returning to the club I initially went solo with 25 years ago.

To anyone out there that’s put their dream on hold and thinks too much time has passed to pick it up again… think again. You really can do this!'

#bwpa #BWPAScholarship #womeninaviation #femalepilot #ppl taken in Stapleford Flight Centre (Official) by @bwpa_uk

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13 days ago

🏆 There's less than a week left to get your nominations in for the BWPA Awards! Our awards cover a vast array of achievements, types of flying and skills.

Make your nomination via the link in our bio

#bwpaawards #femalepilot #bwpa #awards by @bwpa_uk

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14 days ago

✈️ September brought a variety of weather, with some much needed rain on the forecast. Between the wet and windy spells there's still been some lovely flying days.

We’d love to see your September highlights! Share your flying photos with a short caption for a chance to be featured in our Members’ Adventures Gallery.

📸 Ruby Stocks completed her qualifying cross country from Lasham to Thruxton.

#bwpa #memberadventures #flyingadventures #flyingwithfriends by @bwpa_uk

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15 days ago

✈️ Applications for our 2026 #BWPAscholarships close TODAY!

This year, we’re offering 10 flying and 5 ground school scholarships, plus aviation equipment and voucher awards from Pooleys - open to women of all ages, backgrounds and experience levels.

Whether you’re just starting out or working toward a career in aviation, there’s something for you.

APPLY NOW ➡️ link in our bio

Applications close at 12:00 on Wednesday 30 September. by @bwpa_uk

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16 days ago

✈️ Congratulations to BWPA member Rachel Talbot @rjtalbot for going solo on Friday at @deanlandairfield

The first major milestone completed!

#bwpa #firstsolo #learntofly #womeninaviation #studentpilot taken in Deanland Airfield by @bwpa_uk

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17 days ago

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17 days ago