Royal Navy helicopter swoops in
A ROYAL Navy helicopter from the Commando Helicopter Force took to the sky above Loughborough University as six naval officers returned to their old stomping ground to meet with current students.
Alumni Cdr Edward Vaughan, Lt Cdr Michael Brown, Lt Cdr Edwin Adams, Lt Oliver Trowman, SLt Declan Johnson and Sgt Graham Smith said it was “great to be back” on campus – though they noted that the landscape has changed since their days of studying.
The six returned to Loughborough to talk with aeronautical engineering students and brought with them a Merlin HC MK4 – a new, ‘fully-marinised’ helicopter, which is equipped with flotation gear and a foldable tail and rotor blades to enable more of the aircraft to be carried on aircraft carriers at sea.
The officers discussed helicopter operations in the Royal Navy and provided practical, operational advice to the students, who are all working on design projects under the themes of ‘heavy lift capabilities at high speed’ and ‘aerial mine detection and clearance’.
The talks were particularly special for Lt Cdr Edwin Adams and Lt Oliver Trowman, who have close links with the department, having both graduated with BEngs in aeronautical engineering in 1999 and 2002, respectively.
Lt Oliver Trowman, who co-ordinated the visit, said: “It’s an honour and a privilege to come back and talk to the students and maybe even inspire some of them.”
As part of their visit, the team took to the sky four times in the Merlin and were met with cheers from staff and students on the ground.