Build a Plane
Build a Plane
Students are reaching for the skies as they take part in a project to build their own two-seater Sherwood Ranger light bi-plane. The project, which is being supported by the Light Aircraft Association, is seeing teams of students work to build the plane from scratch, with the ultimate goal of seeing their aircraft take off.
Students taking part will manufacture the aircraft to the standards required by the Light Aircraft Association, who will carry out regular inspections of the manufactured sections.
Ian Wilkins, Assistant Principal and lead member of staff for the project, explained: “Our students are delighted to be building their own plane. They are honoured to be taking part and committed to devoting several hours each week to – literally – getting the project off the ground.”
While the project may take several years to complete, it will allow a large number of students to take part and develop vital practical and soft skills that will transfer to the workplace. Ian continued: “There are so many different practical skills involved in shaping the plane’s components and constructing it, but there are other skills, too: working together as a team, being responsible for carefully checking one another’s work, having the confidence to question each other. The level of patience required is phenomenal and, as one student remarked: ‘Almost good enough isn’t good enough – it has got to be perfect!’”
It is a great opportunity for the students to improve the accuracy of their work as well as join part of a team that is going to see a plane they have built fly!
APPLY FOR
Year 10
APPLY FOR
Year 12
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