Launchpoint – Charitable Trust

Launchpoint is a registered charity which supports the development of glider pilots. It was established in 2017 and incorporates the activities of Caroline Trust and the Ted Lys Trust, both of which had been established nearly 20 years earlier.

Our aims include providing opportunities to experience gliding and facilitating participants at all stages to expand their horizons in the sport. Applications are open to all.

The small team of Launchpoint trustees are all actively involved in gliding and administrate the trust as volunteers. All donations and gifts are allocated to the charity’s beneficiaries, apart from minimal administration costs.

Launchpoint’s aims are delivered through Caroline Awards and Ted Lys Awards.

Launchpoint is a member of the National Council for Voluntary Organisations.

Caroline Awards

To date, Caroline Awards have helped over 400 young people by providing bursaries towards pre-solo or early post-solo flying. Caroline Award bursaries have sparked interest in gliding, resulted in long-term participation in the sport, and led to careers in aviation.

Click here for the Caroline Awards page

 

Ted Lys Awards

Ted Lys awards are for qualified glider pilots who wish to develop their gliding skills. Applicants can make a proposal to the trustees to support, for example, a particular course, training or coaching program in any sphere of gliding either for a group of pilots or an individual.

In recent years Ted Lys Awards have been made to support:

– Advanced two seater training for a number of different small groups organised by individuals, clubs or other organisations. Some of these programmes have been delivered at gliding competitions.

– Aerobatics course (Sports Badge)

– Formal XC country training

– An XC training package tailored by the pilot to their own needs

– Advanced training abroad

The application process for 2024 Ted Lys awards is now closed, and we plan to make the 2024 Ted Lys awards public at the BGA conference in February.

We anticipate the application process for the 2025 award round will run November 2024 to January 31st 2025, check back here closer to the dates for the details of the application process

Click here for the Ted Lys Awards page

 

 

Please help Launchpoint to support glider pilots

Launchpoint relies on generous donations, small and large. As a registered charity, donations may be supplemented by gift aid where HMRC give to the charity 25p for every pound donated. You do need to be a UK taxpayer to take advantage of this.

If you would like to assist us in fundraising to help UK pilots learn to fly or advance in their gliding career, donations can be made via the button below or by cheque made out to “Launchpoint” and sent to us c/o the BGA office, 8 Merus Court, Meridian business park, Leicester, LE19 1RJ.

Payment also may be made by Bank transfer or standing order (very welcome!)    Please feel free to contact the charity treasurer on treasurer.launchpoint@gmail.com for details or anything else you would like to discuss.

Please donate here

Your legacy

By deciding to remember us in your will, you’ll help our charity ‘Launchpoint’ to do its work and you’ll be a part of the future of gliding. Charity bequests may be exempt from inheritance tax.

You can read more here.

Thanks very much for your interest.

Launchpoint – Charity Commission no. 1089009