Warbird aircraft engineers are eligible to apply for Warbirds Over Wānaka Community Trust scholarships this year, along with Warbird Pilots, as the scholarships resume and expand.

Since 2016 scholarships worth a total of $40,000 have been awarded to young Warbird pilots to help them get valuable time flying historic aircraft - but they were put on pause after the airshow was cancelled in 2020 and 2022 due to Covid-19

Following the successful 2024 airshow, the trust was now in a position to resume the scholarships, Warbirds Over Wānaka general manager Ed Taylor said.

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“The original scholarships were restricted to pilots but we’ve now decided to increase the amount of the scholarships and expand who can apply,” he said. 

“This means Warbird aircraft engineers are now eligible.”

Each individual scholarship will be worth up to $10,000 following each successful airshow, Ed said. 

The number and value of scholarships awarded will remain at the discretion of the trust scholarship team.

Applications for the 2025 scholarship round will open on July 1 with application forms available now at the Warbirds over Wānaka website. 

Applications will close on July 31 and successful recipients will be announced in September.

PHOTO: Supplied