If you would like to volunteer to help with the event on the day, or have a family member/ friend who is interested, appreciate that if you can fill in the Google form, your support will definitely make a change!
Regional Final, as in previous years, sponsored by Safran. 4 local schools’ Y8s, 48 children with teachers (mostlly STEM subject ones, I was pleased to note). Usual activities culminating in fly-offs of large, hand-launched, glider kits heavily modified by subsets of each school team.
The event was mostly run by Apprentices from local aerospace firms (Safran, Dowty Propellers, GE Aviation, MBDA, ..), with stands from each with product displays and sample assembly/disassembly kits; with Jet Age volunteers providing facilities including refreshments.
Several of the children said that they were now definitely interested in local aerospace engineering opportunities.
Oh, and the airport was gratifyingly active, under beautiful VMC. A good day.
We will be running a weekend of events at Old Warden on 22nd and 23rd March, 2025.
Ticket sales now closed for Saturday 22nd and Sunday 23rd.
Entrance to the event includes an entry pass to the Shuttleworth Collection and Swiss Garden valid for 30 days.
On Saturday 22nd a day of presentations includes a buffet lunch. It kicks off at 10am and ends about 4pm with time left to look around the collection before it closes at 5pm.
On Sunday entry to the Discovery Workshop where activities start with a briefing. Other activities may be at separate locations outside on the airfield. We anticipate that there will be 5 “bases” doing activities such as marshalling. Theory of flight, air law, simulator flying, riveting metal etc all TBC. Activities run from 10am to 2pm.
Entrance on both days includes Membership of YES which is free.
Ticket sales now closed. Tickets £10 per head, includes all presentations etc, excludes Sunday lunch.
Pupils from Wimbish Primary Academy and The Meadow Primary School, part of Anglian Learning, tested their piloting skills with aflight simulator experience led by alocal aviation heritage trust.
The two computersimulators are based on the WW1 SE5a fighter plane used by the British Armed Forces during World War One. Pupils put on the VR headset which is programmed with missions ‘Scout’ pilots would have accomplished during the war.
Also included in the day’s activities was a quiz led by Cllr Stewart Luck, who donated the experience to the two schools as part of the Uttlesford District Council Youth Initiatives Working Group.
Stewart said, “From my first interaction with the academy to the event day, the teachers, staff, and pupils were truly outstanding. We had an incredible time, made new friends, and built connections that I believe will inspire collaboration and the sharing of skills in the future”.
Chris Steadman, Senior Class Teacher of Wimbish Primary Academy, said “All pupilshad a fabulous day and learnt so much from the visitors from The Aviation Heritage Trust. The VR experience was amazing, and the historical background was enriching and informative for all”.
30 Pupils from The Meadow Primary School, who partner with Wimbish Primary Academy under their Executive Headteacher, Nichola Pickford, were also invited to take part in the activities.
Nichola said “We are incredibly thankful to Cllr Stewart Luck for providing this unique opportunity for our pupils. Experiencing history firsthand helps our pupils to understand the past and boosts their engagement and love of learning. Both our staff and pupils have been inspired by the STEM activity and are thankful for the time given by the heritage trust to answer any questions.”
In the afternoon, pupils took part in an art session, capturing what they had learnt during the activity within their artwork.
The WW1 Aviation Heritage Trust is a registered charity set up to provide an enduring flying collection of World War I Allied and German aeroplanes. Their goal is the education of current and future generations as testimony to the aircrews of the Great War, their planes, and their sacrifice.
The recent 56 (Woolwich) squadron Air Cadets do was a success, supported by the Honourable Company of Air pilots, the Lampmongers, and YES, who presented certificates of merit to many of the cadets. Some cadets had undertaken gliding courses and subsequently written about their week long experience at a gliding club in the Peak District.
On Friday 26 July, Farnborough International Airshow will open its doors to the public for Pioneers of Tomorrow, a dedicated STEM-focused event designed to inspire and engage the next generation of aerospace leaders.
Join us for an exciting showcase of everything the aerospace sector has to offer from an exhilarating flying display, inspirational speakers, hands-on activities, careers workshops and more!
BGA Go Gliding STEM Events – an exciting half-day event to inspire people into gliding as a pathway to STEM careers, including aviation. The experience will include: videos, presentations on gliding and the Club, Q&A, STEM activities, a simulator flight, a fun Quiz with Goody Bag and a chance to apply for one of two Gliding Scholarships (worth £500) and/or a Flight Experience partially funded by The Honourable Company of Air Pilots.
12th June – Southdown
An exciting half-day event to inspire people into gliding as a pathway to STEM careers, including aviation. The experience will include: videos, presentations on gliding and the Club, Q&A, STEM activities, a simulator flight, a fun Quiz with Goody Bag and a chance to apply for one of two Gliding Scholarships (worth £500) and/or a Flight Experience partially funded by The Honourable Company of Air Pilots.
There are 2 sessions available, morning and evening, please select the ticket for your preferred time.
An exciting half-day event to inspire people into gliding as a pathway to STEM careers, including aviation. The experience will include: videos, presentations on gliding and the Club, Q&A, STEM activities, a simulator flight, a fun Quiz with Goody Bag and a chance to apply for one of two Gliding Scholarships (worth £500) and/or a Flight Experience partially funded by The Honourable Company of Air Pilots.
You can book on either the morning session or evening session.
A free, exciting and fun event to inspire people into gliding as a gateway to STEM careers, including aviation. The experience will include: videos, presentations, a tour of 2Excel Engineering Ltd, Q&A with role-models, STEM activities, a simulator flight, a fun Quiz with Goody Bag and a chance to apply for a Gliding Scholarship (worth £500). This session will emphasise the Apprentice career path but not exclusively.
A four-part course specially designed for disabled children to get a fascinating and exciting introduction to aviation and to boost everyday skills test as teamwork and organisation. The programme is run by Aerobility staff and volunteers and will give a participant both aviation knowledge on the ground and a test of their flying skills at the controls of a real aircraft.
You will learn about topics such as principles of flight, how to talk over a radio, what airfields need to be safe and how to navigate your aircraft through the skies. You will also then have the opportunity to put the theory into practice through multiple flights at the controls of one of our aircraft.
Who can apply?
Disabled individuals from the ages of 12-18.
When do applications open?
Applications for the 2024 Junior Aspiring Pilots Programme are now open!
When does the course take place?
The next course will take place in Spring 2024. Please see the application form for further details.
Does it cost anything?
Nope! The course is free to attend.
Where is the course?
The ground school and the flying is at Aerobility HQ, Blackbushe Airport, Hampshire.
LAA and YES member, Andy Webb, who is also a Director of Skysmart recently took part as an expert witness in an enquiry into post 16+ education andopportunities.
The enquiry was instigated by Robert Halflon MP for Harlow and can be watched at the link below. The result of the enquiry will be available in a few months.
Skysmart, like many companies, are having difficulties in finding young recruits to fill vacancies who are able to cope and complete an Apprenticeship. In the broadcast you can hear various SME’s debate the problems with MP’s and the CBI representative:
Join us to hear about the incredible biodiversity at Bodmin Airfield with Jay Gates
Where do you think you’d find over 170 different plant species, including three species of Orchid- the Chelsea Flower Show? A nature reserve? Well, no, actually- a small private Airfield in the centre of Cornwall!
From a chance encounter with Ian Bennallick- a Cornwall Country botanical recorder, the biodiversity gem which is Bodmin Airfield, was unearthed. Ian spotted what looked like Orchids in the Airfield and identified three different species of Orchids on closer inspection. These were the Southern marsh, Heath spotted and Greater butterfly Orchids.
Bodmin Airfield has since become a key ‘Donor’ site of seed and green hay as part of the Meadow Match project, which provides a ‘dating agency’ to match makes donor and receptor sites of wildflower meadows. Wildflower Collective runs Meadow Match in partnership with the University of Exeter, The Halpin Trust and the SWEEP project.
Join us for a talk and Q&A by Jay Gates, who will tell you about this exciting discovery, and how they have inspired other airfields locally, nationally and even internationally to recognise their biodiversity potential!
Visit YES this year at the Shuttleworth Season Premiere Air Show, Sunday 1st May 2022.
Expect a thrilling air display from historic aircraft, fantastic children’s activities, and a chance to explore the beautiful Shuttleworth Swiss Garden. There is something to keep the whole family entertained!
Find out more information and book your tickets at the link below:
During March 2022, HRH Princess Anne popped in for a visit to Stansted Airport College and was shown around the engineering workshop by YES Ambassador, Rares Turcu.
HRH Princess Anne was impressed by the college work and the dedication of the students.
