Aviation headset manufacturer Sennheiser is set to introduce its Live Your Dream scholarship initiative to Australia.
The program is already operating in the USA and UK, and is expected to be launched in Australia in June or July.
Sennheiser Director David Dunlap believes the program, which awards $1500 to successful applicants, will help combat poor retention rates among flying school students.
"We’ve recognised that one of the issues in general aviation is growing the next generation of general aviators," he told Australian Flying at the Avalon air show.
"We’re seeing a 70% drop-out in flying schools, and maybe money isn’t the biggest issue all the time, but it is an issue.
"Our bid to support student retention is a program called Live Your Dream, and this is a scholarship program that has been running in the US for two years now. Last year we exported it to the UK for the first time, this year we’re bringing it to Australia."
The program works by flying schools registering on the website www.sennheiser-liveyourdream.com, which then enables students of that school to apply for scholarships.
Winners are chosen by a group of ambassadors made up of well-known aviation identities.
Sennheiser is currently hunting for the right type of flying school to start the program with.
"We want a flight school that will really promote the program well and the student will get the right sort of training," Dunlap said.
Once the program is active, students will be able to apply in writing or by making a You Tube video.