Three Year 9 students from Gordano School, Arthur Joseph, Arthur Brockbank, and Adam Przybyl, soared to new heights at the local area finals of the prestigious Flying Start Challenge, taking home first place and securing victory for the school.

The Flying Start Challenge is a highly competitive event run and sponsored by local aircraft manufacturers (Atkins Realis, Rolls Royce, Airbus, Safrane), where students design and build their own gliders. Competing against eighteen other schools, the trio were tasked with flying a handmade glider carrying a 60-gram payload, taking part in engineering challenges, and presenting their understanding of flight dynamics to a panel of expert judges and their competitors.

Atkins Realis said: “Our team's work on the Flying Start Challenge is supporting the development of the next generation of aerospace engineers. There is a skills shortage in the Aerospace industry, with young people lacking awareness of the exciting careers available in the sector. The Flying Start Challenge is a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) competition designed to develop students’ knowledge of flight and give them hands-on engineering experience.”

Despite facing stiff competition, the Gordano team triumphed, showcasing not only their engineering skills but also their passion and perseverance.

Last year, the students faced disappointment when their glider was damaged during the first test flight and had to be withdrawn from the competition. However, this setback only fuelled their determination. With hard work and resilience, the team redesigned and rebuilt their glider, turning the previous year’s disappointment into the sweet victory they now celebrate.

Mr. Earle, the team’s mentor, expressed immense pride in the students’ success, saying, “This is such an achievement. The success of Arthur, Arthur, and Adam highlights the spirit of innovation, teamwork, and determination that is fostered at Gordano School. Their victory not only marks a major achievement in the Flying Start Challenge but also serves as an inspiration to their peers and future students aspiring to reach new heights."