Lincolnshire pilot's legacy lives on through flying scholarships after Coningsby crash

A Lincolnshire charity is supporting new opportunities in aviation by funding two flying scholarships linked to the county's long association with the sector. The Mark Long Trust has announced it will fund two places through Flying Scholarships for Disabled People, a programme that offers practical flight training to disabled participants. Organisers say the aim is to widen access to aviation and help people who might otherwise be unable to afford or pursue this kind of training. The development has local significance in Lincolnshire, where aviation remains a prominent part of the county's identity. RAF Coningsby and RAF Cranwell are among the best known sites connected to flying in the area, and supporters of the scheme say the scholarships reflect that continuing connection. According to information released about the initiative, the scholarships are intended to make aviation more attainable and to encourage broader participation in flying. Supporters say the programme can help remove some of the barriers that prevent people from exploring flight training. The trust's backing of two places this year has been presented as a way of creating practical opportunities rather than simply celebrating aviation heritage. Those behind the initiative say the focus is on access, skills and confidence for participants taking part in the training. Group Captain James Calvert, who trained and worked alongside Mark Long for more than 20 years, said the scholarship initiative would have made him "extremely proud". The Lincoln Post has not independently verified these claims. The scholarships are being highlighted as part of a wider effort to improve accessibility in aviation. Supporters say initiatives of this kind can give participants the chance to develop practical flying experience while also increasing confidence and independence. The local emphasis remains central to the announcement, with Lincolnshire's established links to aviation forming the backdrop to the scheme. The county has long been associated with military and civilian flying, and backers of the trust say that heritage can also support opportunities for people entering aviation now. By funding places through an established flight training charity, the Mark Long Trust is contributing to a Lincolnshire-linked initiative with a clear practical outcome for participants. Supporters say this year's scholarships are designed to help broaden access to flying and encourage a wider range of people to consider aviation training. The announcement centres on how Lincolnshire's aviation connections can be reflected in present-day opportunities. Rather than focusing on the past, supporters say the scheme is intended to support future participation and make flight training available to more people. For those involved, the scholarships represent an attempt to link the county's strong flying identity with accessible training opportunities. Backers say that approach could help ensure aviation remains open to a broader group of aspiring pilots in the years ahead.