Carol Vorderman joins judging panel for Bristol Groundschool’s ATPL Scholarship Programme

Carol Vorderman, one of Britain's best known and loved TV personalities who recently unveiled plans to fly around the world solo, has joined the judging panel for the final round of Bristol Groundschool’s ATPL Scholarship Programme.

Somerset-based Bristol Groundschool, the UK and Europe's leading provider of distance learning for the Airline Transport Pilot’s Licence (ATPL) theory exams, launched the Scholarship Programme in early 2013 to assist pilots in training who might otherwise have struggled to raise funding for their ATPL study.

The former Countdown presenter recently announced plans to follow in the footsteps of aviation pioneer Amelia Earhart when she sets off on her 29,000-mile journey next summer, with her partner Graham Duff, a former Red Arrow Squadron Leader, following just behind her in a support aircraft. Her route will take her across Cuba, Mexico, Sudan, Malaysia and Pakistan, mirroring the ill-fated trip that Earhart never finished. Amelia mysteriously disappeared whilst flying over the Pacific towards Howland Island in 1937.

Carol commented, “I wanted to be a pilot from the age of 12 but as a girl from a comprehensive school and a single parent family my options were limited. In the 70s the RAF would not take female pilots and I couldn't afford lessons to learn so I studied Engineering at the University of Cambridge to give me the best chance I could have to get onto the British Airways course at Hamble. Sadly, when I graduated, BA was in the process of closing Hamble down. My dreams had to wait another 30 years. However, with the Bristol Groundschool ATPL Scholarship Programme that won't be the case for seven hardworking and fortunate aviation 'dreamers'. I think it's a wonderful opportunity and I am so happy to be part of the judging panel."

“We’re delighted to have Carol on board as a judge for the ATPL Scholarship Programme and we’re looking forward to her help in determining which of our shortlisted candidates will move on to the next stage of their aviation training with the support of a Bristol Groundschool theory scholarship,” said Alex Whittingham, Founder and Head of Training.

“We’re also pleased that Carol has chosen to carry her aviation training forward with Bristol Groundschool in the coming few months. The team at Bristol will offer her all the support, technical instruction and guidance that she will need to get ready for her Airline Transport Pilot’s Licence, which will be an important milestone in her preparations for her round the world solo.”

Carol Vorderman joins a number of distinguished professionals on Bristol Groundschool’s judging panel, including Dr Eleanor Ivory, airline pilot and CAA Aviation Medical Examiner; Captain Martin Mahoney, Senior VP Flight Training for Emirates Airline; Lee Mears, former England rugby player now retraining as a pilot; Dorothy Pooley, Immediate Past Chairman and Founder of the Professional Flying Instructors Association and Master Elect of GAPAN; Ian Seager, Publisher of Flyer magazine; and Graham Stokes, Head of Flight Operations Training & Standards for Virgin Atlantic Airways.

To submit an application, candidates should visit the ATPL Scholarships page on the Bristol Groundschool website or look for the http://www.facebook.com/bristolgroundschool page on Facebook for additional information.

For regular updates on Carol Vorderman’s plans to fly solo round the world in 2014 following Amelia Earhart’s route, follow Carol on Twitter @carolvorders.