Report: The 2007 Schools Aerospace Challenge


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[January 2008] On 6 November, the IMechE hosted many of the top names in aerospace for the Awards Ceremony of the 2007 Schools Aerospace Challenge.  Professor Bill Banks, the Deputy President, welcomed the guests and handed over to John Farley, who reported on the Challenge activities in 2007 and introduced the winning team from King Edward VI Grammar School in Chelmsford.

The task for 2007 was to investigate how the RAF might improve the time that aircraft were able to spend over the battlefield.  Teams of 16 to 18 year olds were required to submit their outline submissions over the internet, early in the year. The best teams were selected to attend one of the Challenge weeks, held at Cranfield University in August, which give the students a broad introduction to aerospace technology, with lectures, exercises, and flying in both rotary and fixed wing aircraft. 

Three teams from King Edward VI Grammar School submitted proposals, but only one could win during final selection at Cranfield. This was the 'Flying Circus', which was led by Michael Lawson, with Christopher Bridge, Ashley Lampshire and Jason Pompeus as team members, and Penny Bunting as their sponsoring staff member. Their polished presentation gave details of their solution, which was for an unmanned aircraft, with many of the characteristics of a glider, to give greatly increased endurance. 

Air Marshal Sir Barry Thornton congratulated and thanked the Team, before giving details of the task for 2008, which will be a study of a replacement for the Tucano, which has been the RAF's basic training aircraft for the last 15 years. John Farley explained that there would be a change of format for 2008 with teams reduced to 3 school children, under the leadership of a first year university undergraduate.

The evening concluded with presentations by Air Chief Marshal Sir Glenn Torpy, the Chief of the Air Staff. The Headmaster, Dr Mike Walker, on behalf of the School, received the Schools Aerospace Challenge Trophy, which is donated on an annual basis by the RAF, together with a cheque for £2500.  Sir Glenn also presented each Team Member with a model Typhoon and a cheque for £650.


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