http://www.vintageaircraftclub.org.uk> Liz Inwood Taildragger Scholarship
Jon Hartle is the Liz Inwood Taildragger Scholarship 2018 Winner.
The 2018 Liz Inwood Taildragger Scholarship has been awarded to Jon Hartle from Worcestershire. Jon who was nominated at the LAA Rally at Sywell, is the third recipient of the annual award which was set up in 2015 by the Liz Inwood Trust with the VAC in memory of Liz Inwood. Originally trained as an artist, Liz was a passionate aviatrix and flying instructor who amassed over 1000 hours of flying aircraft such as the de Havilland Tiger Moth and Hornet Moth. Liz was an inspiration to many fledgling pilots and was particularly enthusiastic about vintage flying. This year's scholarship was launched at the end of May and applicants were required to have 100 hours PPL and to be 35 years old or younger. Jon Hartle has 130 hours and has already added a Night Rating and Instrument Rating to his license. Jon says, "I am deeply honoured and privileged to be awarded the 'Liz Inwood' scholarship for 2018. Having been interested in aviation since a very early age, through my father working within the industry, the goal of becoming a pilot never left me and I gained my licence in 2015 at Wellesbourne airfield. I applied for the scholarship because I always wanted to fulfil my ambitions to the very best of my ability and to give back the things others have shown me. This scholarship is keeping alive the memory of Liz Inwood and to be able to keep that going, and to be able to showcase what it means, is truly special. The VAC is a wonderful, friendly and knowledgeable club, and I'm very proud to be a member."
The Vintage Aircraft Club was formed nearly fifty five years ago as a club for owners, pilots and enthusiasts of vintage and classic light aircraft. Currently the club has 350 members from across the UK and holds regular fly-ins, ground events and forums throughout the year. In common with many other aviation organisations the VAC is aware of a rapidly widening age gap within the membership. In order for the club to thrive and survive we are aware that we need to encourage and attract younger members to share our enthusiasm for flying vintage aircraft. It is also important that we pass on the skills to fly these aircraft which typically have the older type of conventional undercarriage - the taildraggers. For this reason the Taildragger Scholarship was set up by the Liz Inwood Trust along with the VAC and we are pleased to make this annual award available to qualified pilots, under 36 years old, with 100hrs or more enabling them to train for up to 5 hours at a recognised flying school. Each year the selection panel will chose one pilot out of the many applicants.
For 2017 winner see here.
For 2016 winner see here.
Jon Hartle - Update
The Vintage Aircraft Club is pleased to announce that Jon Hartle, who received the VAC's Liz Inwood Taildragger Scholarship for 2018, has completed his training with maximum marks achieved!
Congratulations to Jon who writes:
"I was hugely grateful and humbled to receive the Liz Inwood Scholarship award, back in September 2018, at the LAA Rally at Sywell. I have now completed my taildragger training in a
converted Cessna 152, based at Wellesbourne with Take Flight Aviation.
I relished the challenge of learning something new and unique. The first noticeable difference started with ground handling. With the unusual attitude, using power to get the movement
from side to side, all just to make sure you keep to the centreline!
On take-off, getting the tail up by pushing the stick forward goes against all my PPL training and current flying. This took a little while to get used to, but soon became second nature.
I have been introduced to 3 point landings, wheelers, crosswind techniques and slide slipping, learning all types of difference scenarios. We finished off visiting small farm strips to
get short take-off and landing experience. This is where I realised how much fun taildraggers are. It has opened up new opportunities to visit new locations and have new adventures.
I can honestly say that I have enjoyed every second of this conversion. I am always willing to learn something new and greatly enjoyed the challenge. Now I intend to get out and enjoy
all it has to offer... "
