Rapid recently supported the Grand Final of the Flying Start Challenge 2017 at the Fleet Air Arm Museum, Yeovilton.
140 pupils from 16 secondary schools in the South West of England took part in the competition, sponsored by Leonardo Helicopters and other major aerospace companies. The event saw students tasked with the design and manufacture of a glider made from sustainable materials and a poster presentation to VIPs from aerospace companies and organisations, culminating in a Grand Final ‘fly off’ event.
Teams from the Yeovil Regional Final joined teams from the Bristol and Gloucestershire Regional Final for a full programme of engineering challenges, guest presentation from the Bloodhound project and visit from Commodore Jon Pentreath OBE. Participants were tested on their knowledge and ingenuity, taking part in Autogyro and Zip line activities before the competing teams put their gliders to the test in the finale on the Aircraft Carrier Experience.
The winning glider came from team 'Pring-Maggedon mk2' of Clifton High School, Bristol (pictured above), whose glider travelled an impressive 29.6 metres. In second place were the 'Flying Hippies', also from Clifton High School, and third place went to 'Rapide' from Malmesbury School. All the winning teams received vouchers to spend at Rapid.
www.flyingstartchallenge.co.uk
