Ben’s career is taking off

A 17-year-old student from Winstanley College has won a scholarship with the National Flight Academy in Pensacola, Florida.

Flying enthusiast, Ben Molyneux, scooped up this incredible opportunity as reward for winning a Virgin Atlantic/Delta Airlines competition, which required participants to submit a 500-word essay or video about a problem, which will face the planet in 20 years’ time.

Ben chose carbon recapture as the topic, since this is an initiative which Virgin Group Founder, Sir Richard Branson has invested a lot into in recent years. His tack was successful and Ben was contacted last month with details of his exciting prize.

As well as taking part in the scholarship over the summer, Ben has also been invited to Virgin Atlantic headquarters at Gatwick Airport to view the aircraft hangar and find out more about careers within the aerospace industry.

Ben, a former student of St Peter’s Catholic High School, currently studying for A-levels in maths, computer science and economics, is no stranger to aviation having recently taken his first solo flight from Blackpool Airport aged just 17. He is also aiming to have his private licence by the end of 2019.

An ecstatic Ben said: ‘Winning the scholarship and visit to Gatwick is the perfect prize for me, I’m hoping to join the RAF after college and eventually become an airline pilot – this experience will certainly support my future applications.’