EN / ES

Carlos Salas Scholarship - For young pilots

The application period for the V Edition of the Carlos Salas Scholarships is now closed. 

Many thanks to everyone who applied!

 

We will soon be announcing which candidates have progressed to the first stage of the selection process and providing details on the next steps.
Days
Hours
Minutes
Seconds

Carlos Salas scholarship to finance your type rating course

¡Date prisa! Tienes hasta el 16 de marzo para inscribirte a la V Edición de las Becas Carlos Salas para jóvenes pilotos

Following the great success of the four previous editions of the Carlos Salas Scholarships for pilots, the Official College of Commercial Aviation Pilots (COPAC), the Spanish Airline Pilots’ Union (SEPLA) and Global Training Aviation (GTA) launched the V EDITION of the Carlos Salas Scholarships for young pilots on 17 February 2026.

This initiative aims to support future pilots in their access to the profession by helping them overcome the significant financial barrier posed by training costs, while at the same time honoring the legacy of Carlos Salas (1961–2021) and his commitment and dedication to the pilot profession.

A grant of 12.000€ intended to finance the aircraft type rating course chosen by the winners (Airbus A320, Boeing 737, ATR 72-500 or ATR 72-600).

The application phase has now closed.

If you are interested in taking part in future editions, you will be able to find the scholarship guidelines here and prepare all the required documentation in advance, which must be submitted in a single PDF file, following the order indicated in the official instructions.

All documentation must be attached in one single PDF file, in a specific order.
FORMULARIO DE INSCRIPCIÓN
SCHOLARSHIP GUIDELINES
FORMULARIO DE INSCRIPCIÓN

"The only scholarships in Spain that allow young pilots to finance their type rating"

The ultimate goal of these commercial pilot scholarships in Spain is to facilitate access to type rating courses, involving both the government and private companies. This initiative aims to promote excellence by offering scholarships and eliminating financial barriers that currently prevent many extraordinary young individuals from entering the fascinating world of aviation and becoming airline pilots.

Enrollment requirements​

  • Fulfill the prerequisites for access to an HT of type in GTA before the start of the selection process for the scholarships (see Annex I).
  • Have Spanish nationality or nationality of a country of the European Union.
  • Authorize the organizations to share the applicants’ data with each other for the purpose of supervising the documentation provided.
  • Important: Applicants who do not present their complete documentation within the deadline and in the format established in Annex III will be excluded from the selection process.
  • To have obtained the CPL (A) – ATPL (A) “frozen” AESA pilot license in the 36 months prior to the call date 2024.
  • To be in possession of the certificate certifying the MCC.
  • Be in possession of the EASA Class 1 medical certificate.
  • The maximum age to apply for a scholarship is 35 years at the time of the opening of the call.
  • Letter of recommendation from the school where he/she was trained.
  • Have passed the university entrance exam (EVAU), or equivalent.
  • University entrance exams from other countries will be admitted, but will not score without the official certificate of conversion to Spanish qualification.

Si estás interesado en participar en la próxima edición, ya tienes acceso a las bases de la becas y puedes ir preparando toda la documentación.

Debes adjuntarla en un único PDF en un orden específico.

CV TEMPLATE
SAMPLE LETTER OF RECOMMENDATION

Required documentation

Here is the documentation you need to submit during the registration process

REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION:

(mandatory requirements for obtaining your grant)

  • A scan of both sides of the candidate’s ID card
  • Pilot's licence (both sides) and renewal record (if applicable)
  • Certificate of MCC attainment
  • Medical certificate
  • ATPL Theoretical Examination Certificate
  • EVAU Qualification Certificate
  • Curriculum académico según modelo adjunto
  • Academic CV in accordance with the attached template

ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTATION:

(additional points that may be decisive)

  • University degree. Official diploma
  • Calculation of the household income threshold
  • Provide proof of membership of SEPLA and COPAC

Training locations

 

The entire selection process, including the personal interview and flight tests in the simulator (FFS*), takes place at the Madrid headquarters of GTA España.

  • *Full Flight Simulator. All our flight simulators are state-of-the-art and certified at Level D, the highest possible certification. This means that one hour onboard is equivalent to one hour of real flight for training purposes.

 

GTA Madrid is conveniently located near the airport, with a range of hotels and residential apartments nearby, offering easy access and comfort for all our visitors.

91 329 53 17

GTA MADRID
Edificio Principal_2
WhatsApp Image 2025-01-20 at 16.52.37 (1)

FAQs

Below you will find specific questions about the Carlos Salas Scholarship Programme.

What is the maximum age for a driver to be eligible for the Scholarships?

The scholarships are aimed at young drivers; therefore, the maximum age is 35.

The winner of a scholarship will have one year from the date the jury’s decision is announced to take up the award.

Candidates must not hold a type rating prior to the start of this fifth edition of the programme. However, those who commence a type rating course after the programme has begun may still be eligible for the scholarship, provided they notify the organisers in advance.

At GTA, we’re confident that no student will find a better course or price than ours, but we know that sometimes an airline requires pilots to complete their type rating at a specific training centre. Don’t worry – if that’s the case for you, you’ll be able to use your grant without any problems.

Carlos Salas was the long-serving head of COPAC, who passed away in 2021, and a figure who was always committed to advancing the piloting profession and ensuring excellence in training.

Testimonials from scholarship pilots

“After finishing my ATR500 type rating course, I would like to thank GTA, SEPLA and COPAC for granting me this valuable Carlos Salas Scholarship. This opportunity represents not only a big step in my professional development as a pilot, but also a decisive boost to reach my goals in the world of aviation. I certainly consider it the best initiative in which a pilot fresh out of flight school can participate. I greatly appreciate your confidence in my application and your commitment to the training of future pilots – thank you for making this dream possible!”

Carlos Barja Gallés

Golden Scholarship

 

“As a proud winner of the Carlos Salas Scholarship program, I have had an amazing experience at GTA during both the selection process and the A320 Type Rating that followed. Special mention to the instructors, which were extraordinary from both the human and educational aspects. I am very grateful to all the people that are part of GTA and highly recommend aspiring pilots to participate in the Carlos Salas Scholarship program.“

Daniel Martín Cantero

Golden Scholarship

 

“I am beyond grateful for the Carlos Salas Scholarship I have received from SEPLA, COPAC, and GTA. This incredible opportunity has allowed me to enter the world of commercial aviation through the renowned Global Training Aviation, a school known for its exceptional staff and instructors. While many A320 type rating schools exist, few can match the human quality and professionalism demonstrated by GTA. They go above and beyond to ensure not only success in the course but also the development of pilots who truly evaluate and understand every situation that arises in the cabin. I am proud to be part of such an outstanding training program.“

Carmen de Castro Olveira

Silver Scholarship

Ready to fly?


Let's get you started!

Leave your contact information, and 
we’ll reach out to you.