CADET Corporal Matthew Stoner, an air cadet with No 2443 (Okehampton) Squadron Air Training Corps, has won 12 hours of flying tuition thanks to the Royal Air Forces Association.

The RAF charity runs an annual Flying Scholarship programme, offering six awards in total to outstanding members of the Air Cadet Organisation, which includes the ATC and the Combined Cadet Force, Air Explorer Scouts and the Girls’ Venture Corps Air Cadets. The scholarships recognise the continuous support of these organisations to the RAF Association.

The top candidate is rewarded with a course of 35 hours flight training in a light aircraft, which covers all or part of the tuition needed to obtain a National Private Pilot Licence. Five runners-up receive 12 hours training each.

David Prowse, the association’s director of membership and operations, said: ‘This year we received our highest ever number of applicants for these prestigious awards. The quality of the 250 applications received was extremely high and decisions, accordingly, very difficult to make.

‘From the original pool of 250 applications, 14 cadets were shortlisted for aptitude testing and panel interview. The quality of the candidates was exceptionally high and I know the interview board had great difficulty selecting the top six. The winners this year, therefore, can be justifiably proud of their outstanding achieve-ments.’

Matthew was presented with his prize by the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Sir Andrew Pulford, at the association’s recent annual conference. 

Speaking after the presentation Matthew said: ‘I’ve always had a lifelong dream of becoming a pilot and the flying hours going towards my licence will really help.’

Entries for next year’s scholarships will be accepted from October 1, 2016.