Pilots Together

PilotsTogether is a UK-registered charity founded in 2020 by current and former professional pilots and aviation experts in response to the COVID-19 aviation crisis. Its core mission is to prevent poverty and relieve financial hardship among former UK-employed professional pilots facing redundancy, unemployment, or sector downturns, while providing holistic support including advocacy, tailored advice, mental health services, and community reconnection. Rooted in values of solidarity, empathy, professionalism, and confidentiality, it adopts a peer-led, beneficiary-centered approach that emphasizes rapid, discreet intervention to preserve dignity, foster resilience, and combat isolation for pilots whose identities are tied to their profession.

The funder prioritizes three thematic areas: direct hardship grants for emergency living expenses and debt relief; mental health and wellbeing support via confidential helplines, counseling signposting, and psychological interventions; and peer networks, social reconnection initiatives, industry advocacy, and employment transition guidance like skills retraining. All activities target individual pilots and families affected by aviation-specific crises, with nearly £300,000 in grants awarded since inception alongside case-managed services.

Eligibility is strictly limited to individual former professional pilots previously employed in the UK, with no support for organizations, charities, other aviation staff, or the general public; geographic scope is UK-wide without regional restrictions. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis directly from individuals via a confidential online form or email, with needs-assessed decisions made swiftly—no deadlines, board cycles, or unsolicited organizational proposals. Typical grants range from several hundred to several thousand pounds based on urgency.

PilotsTogether stands out for its hyper-specific aviation focus, holistic model integrating financial, emotional, and professional aid, and practitioner-led governance, differentiating it from general welfare funders while aligning with peer charities aiding UK pilots in need.