Tamworth’s Joshua Chisholm is just 17 years old and has big dreams of becoming a pilot for a living one day.

He’s just received the news he’s the recipient of a Recreational Aviation Australia scholarship for $1500.

Mr Chisholm, who flies with the Tamworth Aero Club, said the money would allow him to be able to complete his current licence.

“I started flying through the Aero Club here about 12 months ago and I applied for the scholarship,” he said.

”It means I’ve been given 1500 to go towards my licence.

“The licence I’m currently doing is a recreational one and this will enable me to finish that one and start the next one which is cross country endorsement.

”It will allow me to fly pretty much anywhere.” 

Mr Chisholm’s current licence allows him to fly about 25 nautical miles around the Tamworth airport.

Relocating from Moree, he took up the opportunity to fly when he moved to Tamworth about 12 months ago.

“I’ve always been fascinated with flying and I thought why not,” he said.

“I’ve always been interested and we moved from Tamworth to Moree and that gave me the opportunity to start learning.

“The scholarship is a fantastic opportunity and I’m grateful for it.”

The young pilot said he spends “pretty much every weekend” at Tamworth Airport learning the ropes to get up in the air.

He’s completed about 13 hours under instruction and has flown by himself for about an hour in a single engine two-seater aircraft.

He said he hopes he could one day turn his passion into career.

“I’d like to go into commercial, but I’m not sure exactly where,” he said.

“I would like to make a career out of it.” 

Mr Chisholm received the Recreational Aviation Australia scholarship in the junior category of under 25 years. The scholarships have a special focus on supporting young people in their aviation journey.