Emdad Rahman
Young Rayhan Kareem went a long way towards achieving his personal dream when he recently received a gliding scholarship from the Honourable Company of Air Pilots.
After receiving the confirmation letter, a delighted Rayhan spoke to East London News. The 16 year old Senior Cadet said:
“I feel really great and very excited and this has made me determined to do really well in life. I have been interested in aeroplanes and flying since I was a young kid and would love to fly a jet in the future. My mum and dad are very supportive. They have bought me aviation books, models and supported my hobby. Mum signed me up for the 31 Squadron, Mile End, and I’ve been going there twice a week for two years. I really love it there. We do physical training, observation and basic aviation training. I want to say thank you to my mum, dad, teachers, family, and friends. It’s nice that people see me as a role model and I hope I can repay their faith in me.”
Rayhan was chosen to visit Buckingham Palace recently for the Queen’s birthday celebrations. The Morpeth school pupil added: “Four of us were chosen from our squadron. We saluted the Queen from the front row. I felt very proud to be there.”
The Young Air Pilots is a group which represents the younger members of the Honourable Company of Air Pilots, a Livery Company of the City of London established in 1929 to promote the professional standards of air pilots and navigators. The group, which is open to all members under the age of 35, aims to support members in their development, helping them become more competent and professional in their career as air pilots. At the same time, it also encourages young people to become involved in the aviation industry as a whole. In addition to an active programme of social and flying events, the Young Air Pilots Group plays a central part in professional training and lobbying conferences throughout the year.
Rayhan’s mother, Shahanara Begum, said: “We are incredibly proud that Rayhan has been accepted on to the Air Pilots London Schools Gliding Scholarship programme. Rayhan understands that it is a privilege to be accepted and we are all grateful for the incredible support and encouragement given to him by the teachers and staff at Morpeth School, in particular Ms O’Conner. I am very proud that Rayhan is now considered a role model for younger students by teachers at Morpeth School. Rayhan has been interested in aeroplanes since he was a child and spends much of his leisure time in related activities. I hope that this scholarship will help him towards his dreams of becoming a pilot, his determination to achieve his goal inspires us all.”
For more information about Young Air Pilots, go to: www.youngairpilots.org
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