TWELVE teenagers taking part in Cotswold Airport’s Aviation Scholarships programme have graduated with flying colours.

The budding aviators, aged 14 to 18, were selected from more than 130 applications from young people across Gloucestershire and Wiltshire.

As part of the eight day course, the aircraft-loving students were given a taste of flying helicopters, microlights and gliders by several flying schools based at the airport.

They were also given insights into the world of aeronautical engineering with visits to Rolls Royce and Messier Dowty, air traffic control at Global ATS in Gloucester and an RAF Careers visit to RAF Cosford.

Among several youngsters given graduation awards was Sam Tomlin, 14, from Chippenham, who was given the Propeller Award for being the most improved scholar.

Sam said that the flying activities were off the scale and that the scholarship programme was an incredible experience that was great to be a part of.

He said: “I would seriously recommend it to anyone and would like to thank everyone at Cotswold Airport.”

The scholarship programme is now in its eighth successive year and is funded wholly by Cotswold Airport owner Ronan Harvey.

His daughter, airport CEO Suzannah Harvey, said: “To give these young people the opportunity to take their first steps on a career path in aviation is very rewarding indeed and everyone involved with the scholarships is absolutely delighted that the students appear to have taken so much away from their experience.”

Planning for next year's scholarship scheme has already started and applications will be taken from October.