05 Jun 2007 | Ref. 160/2007
Fairford, United Kingdom. – BAE Systems has launched a nationwide web competition offering a team of lucky youngsters the chance to be test pilots for a day at the company’s Military Air Solutions plant in Warton, near Preston in Lancashire, UK.
The competition complements BAE Systems’ existing programme of activities for schools and supports its chairman Dick Olver’s appeals for more UK scientists and engineers earlier this year.
Announced at the launch for the Royal International Air Tattoo at Fairford today, the competition invites teams of five youngsters to submit a 500-word essay explaining their passion and interest in aircraft. As well as receiving tickets for the Air Tattoo in July, the winning team members plus their teacher or guardian will tour the final assembly lines for Typhoon in September 2007 and ‘fly’ the Typhoon flight simulator. Details of the competition are available via the web at http://www.baesystemseducationprogramme.com.
Dick Olver, Chairman of BAE Systems said: “The dwindling number of engineers and scientists in the United Kingdom continues to be a challenge for BAE Systems and the wider engineering and technology sector. To help address the problem BAE Systems invests millions in education activities globally as well as £16.6 million in training programmes for its apprentices.”
Mark Bowman, BAE Systems’ Typhoon Test Pilot said: “The Typhoon Simulator is the closest anyone will come to flying in a real Typhoon. The winners will get to fly out over Blackpool and into the Irish Sea in cyberspace simulating speeds of up to Mach 2 and experiencing the phenomenal performance and capability of this world-beating aircraft.”
About BAE Systems:
BAE Systems is a global defence and aerospace Company delivering a full range of products and services for air, land and naval forces, as well as advanced electronics, information technology solutions and customer support services. With 88,000 employees worldwide, BAE Systems' sales exceeded £13.7 billion pounds sterling (US25.4 billion dollars) in 2006.
For further information please contact:
Mike Sweeney, BAE SYSTEMS
Tel: + 44 (0)1252 383074 Mob: + 44 (0)7801 716452
Email: mike.sweeney2@baesystems.com
Issued by:
BAE Systems, Farnborough, Hampshire GU14 6YU, UK
Tel: +44 (0) 1252 384710 Fax: +44 (0) 1252 383947
www.baesystems.com
