Who we are

Founded in 2013, our charity provides young people in Scotland with flying opportunities to build self-confidence, self-belief, and vital life skills. While our focus is on personal development, we also raise awareness of aviation and its diverse career paths. So far, we’ve awarded 30 flight scholarships, hosted careers days for over 350 students, and partnered with educational bodies and industry experts to inspire the next generation.

Our key partners include Skills Development Scotland, Developing Youth Workforce, the Scottish Aero Club, Royal Air Force, ACS Aviation, and several local aviation organisations. These partnerships allow us to offer hands-on expertise and resources, creating meaningful opportunities for young people to explore aviation.

Although we don’t currently have formal mentorship or career guidance programmes, we do help participants connect with professionals in the industry. Looking ahead, our goal is to expand access to flying opportunities through more careers days and increased scholarship capacity.

Our trustees bring a wealth of experience as professional pilots, amateur flyers, and educators, driving the charity’s mission with passion and expertise. While we don’t rely on volunteers at present, we’re always happy to hear from those interested in supporting our cause and exploring how their skills could help us grow.

For more details about what we do, or to contribute, please explore the navigation at the top of the page.

  • James enjoyed a 45-year career as a professional pilot, gaining licences in eight different countries and building wide experience across flight instruction, aircraft maintenance and management. His passion for aviation goes back to his earliest memories, and he feels fortunate to have lived a life shaped by it. As a trustee of Take Off, he is keen to give back by helping young people succeed, especially those who might not otherwise have such opportunities.

  • Andrew’s aviation interest began as a teenager when he served as senior NCO cadet of 1007 Squadron, Air Training Corps, in his hometown of Duns. Though he initially declined a place in the RAF to follow a career in accountancy, he went on to establish his own firm in Perth. Later in life he fulfilled his ambition to fly, gaining his pilot’s licence with the Scottish Aero Club and owning a Skyranger microlight for several years. Now retired, Andrew is committed to encouraging young people and supporting Take Off’s mission.

  • Russell has over 12,000 flying hours from a career spanning the RAF, commercial airlines and air ambulance services, including time as Senior Pilot for Scotland’s Charity Air Ambulance. He began his journey with an RAF Flying Scholarship in 1981 and has since flown more than 50 different aircraft types, from helicopters to vintage warbirds. Now semi-retired, Russell devotes much of his time to instructing, inspired by the belief that flying can be life-changing for young people. He is also an active aircraft owner and pilot, and was named Air Ambulance Pilot of the Year in 2023.

  • Tom’s inspiration for flying comes from his grandfather, a Spitfire pilot during the Second World War, who first took him up in an aircraft as a child. Now a music teacher, Tom is dedicated to helping young people access experiences and opportunities that they might not otherwise have. As a trustee of Take Off, he combines his passion for aviation with his commitment to education and youth development.