Geoff Thomas

One of Farnborough's best-known faces - that of long-time Harrier test and display pilot John Farley - is back at the airfield- but this time in an unaccustomed capacity.

With the theme for this year's public days being UK Youth in Aerospace, it is appropriate that he should be involved with an educational project that is exciting young people throughout the UK.

SIMPLE

When Farley approached his ex-employers British Aerospace in an effort to obtain sponsorship for a pet project: "They were very receptive, to the extent that I was virtually pushing against an open door."

And so the British Aerospace Schools Aviation Camps were born, providing a basic grounding in aeronautical engineering for around 150 suitably-qualified teenagers a year.

With an international shortage of engineers, aviation companies are crying out for youngsters to undertake suitable university degree courses in aeronautical engineering - which has become something of a Cinderella subject in recent years.

"If we can help to motivate more young people to follow engineering and scientific courses, then we shall have succeeded."

Teenagers attending the training camps 'live in' at the Cranfield University in Bedfordshire for a week and they each pay £250 toward the cost of accommodation and food. During the course, they work in teams of 12, solving engineering problems while learning about airframes, engines, aerodynamics, flight simulation and safety.

To provide hands-on experience, the university houses several jet engines and even has Sir Frank Whittle's first test engine, which the British inventor worked on in the 1930s.

Two of this year's students, both aged 17, visited Farnborough over the weekend to help BAe publicise the project. Sarah-Kim Marshall and Robert Stewart both intend to follow engineering courses at university; in Robert's case, he was intending to opt for a career in the City before attending the BAe-sponsored camp.

"I'm also very keen to learn to fly - especially after being taken up in a Grumman A-5 on an 'air experience' flight as part of the course at Cranfield."

Sarah-Kim would like to work for BAe one day - although she intends to keep her feet firmly on the ground as flying does nothing for her whatsoever. She says: "I love aviation and am fascinated by the mechanical engineering side - but I don't like flying at all. I'm far more interested in management."

CAMPS

Anyone interested in finding out more about the BAe Schools Aviation Camps should contact the company at its Farnborough base.

* John Farley, 65, left BAe in 1990, having served as company test pilot - and later site manager at the company's Dunsfold airfield - since 1967. John succeeded the legendary Bill Bedford as chief test pilot on the Hawker P.1127 - and subsequently Harrier - flying more displays than he cares to remember. For five years after retiring he worked as one of the world's only freelance test pilots, flying more than 20 types.

Source: Flight Daily News