THE Flying Start Challenge Regional Final 2022 reawakened an aerospace adventure for young people across Yeovil with the return of the first in-person event in two years at RNAS Yeovilton this week.
Following years of cancelled events due to the pandemic, the regional final drew its largest-ever number of competitors, with 102 budding engineers formed into 28 teams all competing to demonstrate their aeronautical flair.
The Flying Start Challenge is a STEM competition for local schools in the South West of England, supported by Leonardo as well as Airbus, Atkins, MBDA, Rolls-Royce, and Safran Landing Systems.
Run in partnership with the Royal Aeronautical Society and the Engineering Development Trust, the challenge allows students to develop their knowledge of flight while gaining hands-on engineering experience.
Since January, Leonardo trainees have been guiding students through the design and build of their gliders, so they could compete at the regional final to demonstrate the airworthiness of their creations.
Nick Whitney, managing director of Leonardo Helicopters UK, opened the event by launching the first glider.
A group photo from the event
Nick said: “It’s great to see the interest in STEM from the schools, with our graduates and apprentices helping and encouraging the younger generation to engage with the engineering disciplines that are available to them in their future careers.”
The day began with students rotating between activities, which included a presentation of their glider design and construction, a quiz of the knowledge they have gained through the six weeks of lessons, and a bridge-building activity to put their newfound engineering skills to the test.
The students then headed over to one of the base’s enormous hangars, where they had the opportunity to see helicopters manufactured by Leonardo in Yeovil, such as the Wildcat and Merlin.
Royal Navy personnel who use and maintain the helicopters spoke to the students about the helicopters, so they could learn more about how they operate in flight. At the end of the day, Station Commander Commodore Niall Griffin MBE, launched a Fly-Off where the teams’ gliders were finally pitted against each other, to see which aircraft could perform the longest flight.
A team from Buckler’s Mead Academy in Yeovil clinched the coveted first place prize, winning the Fly-Off with an impressive distance of 20.8 metres.
Teams from Stanchester Academy and Sunninghill Preparatory were named Runners-Up, in second and third place, respectively.
Another group photo took at the event
Mr Christopher Hill, teacher of Science at Ansford Academy, said: "We really enjoyed the lessons on flight; considering the difficulties that COVID restrictions caused, it worked amazingly. The team we had working in school was great.”
Ron Tofts, the Teaching Assistant and Technician at Buckler’s Mead Academy, said: “What a great day.
"All the students now want to redesign their gliders and prepare for the finals and for next year. Thank you to the Apprentices and Graduates for all their efforts.”
The Grand Final takes place on Tuesday, May 10 at the Fleet Air Arm Museum, RNAS Yeovilton.
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