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.

Mike Fortescue

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.

With special thanks to our sponsors:

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.

To find out more about the heritage trust, please visit: https://ww1aviationheritagetrust.co.uk/

To find out more about Wimbish Primary Academy, please visit: https://wimbishprimary.org/

To find out more about The Meadow Primary School, please visit: https://meadowprimary.org/

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! 

https://www.farnboroughairshow.com/pioneers-of-tomorrow

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.

BGA Go Gliding STEM Event – Cotswold G.C – 12th June 2024

25th June – Cotswold

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.

BGA Go Gliding STEM event – Southdown G.C – 25th June 2024

27th June – Excel Careers Event

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.

BGA Go Gliding/2Excel Careers Event – 27th June 2024

See more on the Go Gliding Website:

Home

09:30 Registration (tea and coffee is available)

10:00 Introduction to YES &the event  – Pete White

10:05 Introductions by ALL – Everyone gets 15 seconds

10:25 Young Aviators….. 2024 in 2024 Andre Faehndrich

10:35 Shuttleworth Trust Matthew Studdert-Kennedy introduces

My journey as an apprentice at Shuttleworth   – Sam West

Flying opportunities through volunteering  – Phoebe Kershaw

11:50 Heritage Engineering Technician Apprenticeships update – John Passfield

11:00 SKYSMART Apprentice scheme  – Andrew Webb

11:15 Cambridge Flying Group and dHET scholarships – Mike Derret

11:25 Warbirds education initiatives – Tatiana Shevchenko

11:35 Comfort Break

11:45 British Gliding Association Junior Gliding Activities – Pete Hibbard

11:55 AEROBILITY  Harvey Matthewson with Hailey Crumpton & Richie Piper

12:05 Kinross Aerospace Scientific Education Trust  – Ian Smith

12:15 British Women Pilots Association. My scholarship journey… Sophie Cooper

12:25 Feet Off the Ground Club – Chairman, Pete White

12:35 Joystick club fun – Mike Clews & John Scott

12:45 IMT Aviation – Engineering Opportunity & development – Chris Fagg

13:00 Buffet Lunch                

13:30 SKYSMART/IMT workshops

14:00 Hertfordshire University Ray Wilkinson

14:10 Scout Gliding, motor glider flights & Taster Days Colin Knowles

14:20 Royal Institute of Navigation John Cairns

14:30 VAC Reaching out to Young People Anne Hughes, Julian Hill & Mark Young

14:40 WW1 Heritage Trust – “Reach for the Sky”in Essex schools Dick Forsyth

14:50 Take Off Trust Youth Initiative 2024 Jim Lachendro & William Scott

15:00 RAeS Hatfield Branch Maurice James

15:10 Honourable Company of Air Pilots Richie Piper

15:20 Time & Space Learning– Engaging activities for younger people    Mark Adams

15:30 Guild of Aviation Artists Phil Jackson

15:40 BMFA South Midland Area /Old Warden Model Club David Longstaff

15:50 Youth Build a Plane ProjectsStewart Luck/ Andre Faehndrich

16:00 Networking 

17:00 Close

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 and opportunities.

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:

https://parliamentlive.tv/event/index/8ca2f0d3-231b-48d0-bbb8-bdd0fa46bf91

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.

Patricia shares her story with us on IWD 2022: