RAF RED ARROWS BACK GLIDING CLUB’S UNIQUE EDUCATION PROJECT

MEMBERS of the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team, the Red Arrows, are meeting young people at Trent Valley Gliding Club in Kirton Lindsey who are taking part in a pioneering education and aviation partnership.

The ‘Aim for the Sky’ project will see 208 students from North Lindsey College FE/HE experience training flights as glider pilots under instruction, take part in briefings about the theory of flight, meteorology and navigation, and get involved with airfield operations.

Pete Stratten, Chief Executive Officer of the British Gliding Association, said: “This partnership is a superb example of how gliding provides excellent groundwork for many careers, including aviation and aerospace, through engaging opportunities for young people linked to science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM).

“Gliding is an accessible sport for all and projects like this are a great way of inspiring young people through aviation experiences.”

One of the key aims of the Red Arrows is to inspire people, including by showcasing the importance, and use, of STEM in aviation.

Flight Lieutenant Gregor Ogston, a former Harrier and Typhoon pilot, joins the RAF Red Arrows aerobatic team for the 2019 season as Red 4 and visited Trent Valley Gliding Club with Operations Officer, Flight Lieutenant, Adam Youle, to meet students on the course.

Flt Lt Ogston said: “As one of the finest display teams in the world, the opportunity to fly with the Red Arrows has been something I’ve aspired to for many years.

“I’m humbled to be joining the team and feel privileged to be visiting Trent Valley Gliding Club to be able to inspire the next generation in the same way.”

The Aim for the Sky programme will help raise aspirations and enable students to experience aviation from the perspective of pilot, ground crew, technicians and operations, realising the potential of individuals to succeed in an industry discounted by many as impossible.

Flt Lt Youle, who is a gliding instructor on his days off from working with the Red Arrows, said: “Gliding provides opportunities for developing technical skills but also team working, communication and leadership, with many young people involved in the sport going on to a career in flying, engineering or other professional role within aviation and aerospace.

“It’s fantastic to see the project in operation and what better way of engaging young people with STEM careers than by hearing first hand from those working within the field.”

The ground-breaking ‘Aim for the Sky’ project is funded under the umbrella of the consortia FORCE National Collaborative Outreach Programme (NCOP) and will last for two weeks per cohort until June 2019 involving a total of 208 students from North Lindsey College and local secondary schools.

All the sessions will take place at Trent Valley Gliding Club Ltd based at Kirton in Lindsey in North Lincolnshire with each student being able to benefit from pilot tutoring over three free glider flights.  Students will have a full 12 hours of experience both practical and theoretical over two weeks.

You can find your local gliding club or Junior Gliding Centre at gliding.co.uk

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