Tech entrepreneur to fund a flight training scholarship
Wings Alliance are delighted to announce the sponsorship of one of their students, Paidamwoyo (Paida) Marizani, by the Arlan Hamilton & Earline Butler Sims scholarship, which is covering a large proportion of her flight training costs.
For many, the cost of becoming a commercial pilot is prohibitive, reaching over £100k for some integrated courses. While training through the modular route costs approximately half this cost, it is still a considerable investment of time and money.
Paida’s dream is to become a pilot and her focus to find a way to fund this path was a mixture of her determination and focus and, her mother’s willingness to increase her working hours and do whatever it took, to help her daughter fund her goal.
“This scholarship is truly amazing. I have had a passion to fly for so many years, but like many, the cost of training was always a burden that was constantly on my mind. I was fortunate enough to have a mother who was willing to support me with my training, even though she did not know how she would truly be able to finance it.
She was so determined to see me achieve my dream, that she would work twelve-hour night shifts six days a week as a Nurse just to support me. Thus, this scholarship relieves so much pressure for my mother and allows me to simply focus on my studies without having to worry about her.
I hope my story can encourage others to pursue their passions no matter what obstacles they face. It took me such a long time to finally find financial support and I will be forever grateful to Arlan and Mrs Sims. I hope I can teach others to keep determined and understand that ‘no’, sometimes just means that there is something better coming.
My dream is to fly for one of the major airlines in the United Kingdom and help to promote more future female pilots and more pilots from low-income and diverse backgrounds” said Paida.
Paida’s mother, Millesent Marizani said, “The scholarship from Arlan and Earline frankly to me was God sent. When Paida started her training, I knew it was going to be an uphill task to pay her fees. However, I was determined I would help my daughter achieve her dream at whatever cost. I didn’t have a choice as there was no financial assistance from any organisation or individuals.
Now I know Paida can concentrate on her studies without worrying about whether I will make payments due on time and she can enjoy her whole training experience. A weight has been lifted off my shoulders and I am just grateful to this mother and daughter team who have stepped in the gap for Paida and myself.”
Speaking about the scholarships that they offer, Arlan said “My mother and I aim to help catalyze underrepresented, underestimated scholars and students with a variety of interests and skills, by alleviating some of the financial burdens that she and I have endured for most of our lives. We relate and have seen what happens when someone gives you wings.”
Arlan Hamilton is also helping disadvantaged black British students going to Oxford University – covering their course fees and living costs.
Paida said: “My experience so far with Wings has been extremely positive, they are always keen to help and provide assistance with any questions or concerns.”
Wings Alliance, a non-profit organisation offers a free support community for modular pilots. Training via the modular route gives individuals the option of training full or part-time, taking from as little as 14-months, at a significantly lower price than a typical cadet programme which can cost over £100k.
Their members have gone on to fly with, amongst others, British Airways, easyJet, Jet2, Tui, and Ryanair.
Wings Alliance offers an online Airline Pilot Assessment course – the first step in becoming a commercial pilot – for £195. This course helps individuals to check that this is the right career path for them.
Interested in training with the support of the Wings Alliance?
