‘Plane’ sailing for city pupils
TEENAGERS SEE PLANE THEY BUILT WITH THEIR TEACHERS TAKE OFF FROM COVENTRY
A PLANE built by Coventry teenagers has taken to the skies.
Pupils from Ernesford Grange Community Academy saw the plane they and their teachers had built take off for its first public flight.
Pupils, teachers and supporters applauded as the plane, flown by a qualified pilot, took off from Coventry Airport.
The secondary school was one of six around the country picked in 2011 by aircraft manufacturer Boeing and the Royal Aeronautical Society for the build a plane project. The school was chosen because staff were full of ideas about how to make the most of the project.
Different groups of pupils aged 14 to 16 spent five years building the RANS Coyote II light aeroplane G-EGCA.
They were guided by teacher Peter Kobrin and volunteer engineers and technicians. Former pupils even returned to the school in Princethorpe Way, Princethorpe, Coventry, to keep working on the project.
Once all the pupils have flown as passengers in their plane the machine will be sold and the cash will go towards other school build a plane projects.
Pupil James Aitken, who worked on the plane, said: “The best part of the project was the team. Most people I tell can’t believe I’ve actually helped build a real aircraft and now it has flown!”
The project was delayed by red tape so pupils spent the first year building a flight simulator and refurbishing a plane which was no longer airworthy. Then they started on the real thing, first at school and then at Coventry Airport.
Sir Michael Arthur, president of Boeing Europe and managing director of Boeing UK and Ireland, said: “Boeing is committed to sustaining the highly-qualified pipeline of talent in the UK aerospace industry,
“Our industry must work hard to inspire young people to take an interest in science, technology and aviation through engag- ing in projects like the Schools Build-a-Plane Challenge.
“Congratulations to the students and teachers at Ernesford Grange Community Academy on their fantastic achievements.”
Simon Luxmoore, chief executive of the Royal Aeronautical Society, said: “It is vital that we develop and nurture STEM knowledge and skills from an early age if the UK is to maintain its technological and competitive advantage in the global aerospace sector.
“Providing young people with first-hand experience of what a career in aviation involves, through fun and exciting initiatives like the Schools Build-a-Place Challenge, is one way of achieving this important goal.”