Student pilots land prestigious scholarship

Student pilots land prestigious scholarship

Six final-year RMIT students have received an industry scholarship to support their aviation studies.

RMIT Aviation Academy student Harreson Watts dreamed of going into the family business as a child.

Both his father and grandfather worked in the aviation industry as engineers, which inspired a curiosity in Harreson that only grew as he got older.

“Aviation has always been a very important part of my life,” Harreson said.

“When I was younger, I would go to my father with hundreds of questions about how things work with aircraft and the aviation industry.” 

Harreson funded his own flight training while in high school, achieving his Recreational Pilot Certificate at just 17.

“I love the challenge that flying provides, tied in with some of the most incredible views and experiences that you can have in your career.”

Harreson is one of six final-year RMIT students to receive the Leidos Aviation Scholarship, which collectively offers the recipients more than $150,000 in study support and provides them with specialised training.

Harreson Watts Harreson Watts

The scholarship aims to address workforce shortages in the aviation industry and exposes students to specialist aviation careers in areas such as Search and Rescue operations.

For student pilot Trinity Ballantyne, the scholarship will put her on track to realise her goal of making a difference in people’s lives through aviation.

“Receiving the scholarship from Leidos has opened many doors for me,” Trinity said.

“Having the opportunity to learn skills for Search and Rescue means that I will be able to serve the Australian public in a meaningful way while doing what I love.”

Students gain real-world industry experience

The scholarship recipients will receive flight training, mentorship and a guaranteed career pathway upon graduation.

Student Jasper Stinson said that this level of support will give him exclusive hands-on experiences that will shape the pilot he becomes.

“Receiving Leidos’ mentorship and support will provide me with the tools and guidance to excel in my career,” said Jasper.

“The opportunity to work with highly skilled crews, operate state-of-the-art systems, and contribute to real-world missions is a dream come true.”

The recipients come from all over Australia and chose to study at RMIT Aviation Academy for its unique learning model and industry connections.

Jesse Foster, who lives and studies in Bendigo, Victoria, is excited to apply the skills and industry experiences he gains through the scholarship to fill skills gaps in his hometown.

“I intend to bring my passion for aviation back into rural areas,” Jesse said.

Trinity Ballantyne Trinity Ballantyne

Supporting the next generation of female pilots

Women make up just over 10% of the commercial pilot workforce in Australia, and RMIT aims to help reduce the financial and societal barriers that may prevent women studying aviation.

Half of the Leidos scholarship recipients from RMIT are female, and the guaranteed employment that comes with the scholarship ensures they will graduate with a range of career pathways available to them.

"I’m really excited about the employment guarantee when I graduate,” said student Anna Fakira. 

Anna said that improving the representation of women and people from diverse backgrounds in aviation will ultimately lead to a safer industry.

“A team composed of individuals with varied experiences and expertise is better positioned to navigate the complex and unpredictable nature of the field, as no two flights or tasks are identical,” she said.

“Given that aviation remains a relatively new field in comparison to disciplines such as engineering or medicine, fostering greater diversity will contribute to a faster and safer development of a more robust, innovative, and adaptive workforce.”

Fellow student Maddy Berry agreed, adding that increasing the visibility of women in aviation will also inspire young girls to see that the sky is far from the limit when it comes to their careers. 

“Having women in the industry, whether that is other students or instructors, is incredibly important, as you feel represented,” Maddy said.

“What society needs is more female role models,” echoed Trinity.

08 April 2025

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