Young Aviators Club – Concorde comes to GHC

On Wednesday 16 July, sixteen budding aviators attended the sixth session of the GHC Young Aviators Club.   The club, run by Miss Jarvis, is aimed at students across all year groups who are interested in working in the industry or who simply have a passion for aviation. So far, we have been visited by some exciting guest speakers including a senior captain, engineer, aviation historian, cabin crew manager and former business jet pilot.

At the previous session in July, we were joined by a very special guest, former Concorde Captain John Tye, one of an elite group of 120 pilots trained to fly supersonically. John, despite a somewhat turbulent start to life in a Middlesex orphanage, would go on to fly the world’s only supersonic aircraft. We learnt that Concorde was coated in a special white paint to avoid overheating during supersonic flight. It could reach speeds of over 1500mph! (that’s twice the speed of sound, or Mach 2.) and amazingly, the aircraft would stretch 6-10 inches in flight. Students were thrilled to get their Concorde memorabilia signed by John and to receive their ‘remove before flight’ keyrings, courtesy of a special donation from Airbus, who we extend our thanks to for supporting the club.

Running every two weeks, Week 1 Wednesday from 15.15 – 16.15 in D210, we have an exciting schedule of guest speakers and practical activities lined up. At the time of writing, we are looking forward to meeting Pat Pearce MBE, who will share insights into her impressive 40+ year career as cabin crew for British Airways, culminating in her founding the charity ‘Dreamflight’ which still runs to this day.

We have our first trip planned in November. Students have received a special invitation to go airside at Terminal 5, an incredibly unique experience. We will go behind the scenes to observe the complex and fascinating baggage system in operation. Whilst in the area, we will round off the trip with a visit to the British Airways Headquarters to see Global Flight Operations and the company's heritage centre.

If you are a parent/carer working in the aviation industry and would like to support the club, please contact Miss Jarvis at l-jarvis@garthhillcollege.com

We look forward to welcoming new students to the club.

‘Aviation is proof that given the will, we have the capacity to achieve the impossible’.

Eddie Rickenbacker, American aviator.