2025 Events
2025 Events
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November - Sadler Lecture: UltraFan Next Generation – gas turbine propulsion (Jeremy Hughes)
November - Sadler Lecture: UltraFan Next Generation – gas turbine propulsion (Jeremy Hughes)
September talk - Young Persons: Connecting future talent
September talk - Young Persons: Connecting future talent
Young Persons Aviation Careers Event: Connecting Future Talent with Industry Leaders
The event successfully brought together seven leading local businesses to showcase the broad spectrum of career opportunities within the aviation sector. Participating organisations included Leading Edge, Airbus Helicopters UK, AirTanker, Volaire, the Royal Air Force, Royal Navy, and Pilot Flight Training. Representatives from each field engaged directly with the young attendees, providing insights into aviation careers and pathways across pilot training and numerous ground-based roles.
Wide Community Outreach and Attendance
Advertising efforts included flyers and online booking distributed to all local secondary schools, ensuring strong local engagement. The event attracted over 80 attendees from a mix of schools, colleges, and universities, reflecting keen interest in the sector among young people in the region.
Event Flow and Engagement
Attendees assembled over 30 minutes before the event started with short introductory presentations by Russ Cripps and Geoff Winterbottom in the Auditorium. This was followed by approximately an hour of ‘free engagement’ in the Assembly Hall, where company representatives staffed stalls arranged around the room. Many had promotional material available. The interactions covered entry routes for apprentices and graduates, enabling attendees to explore a wide range of career pathways.
July talk - Evolution of UK Army Aviation (Jim Peycke)
July talk - Evolution of UK Army Aviation (Jim Peycke)
June Visit - Airbus Helicopters UK - Oxford Airport
June Visit - Airbus Helicopters UK - Oxford Airport
Visit to Airbus Helicopters UK Showcases Industry Excellence
On 19 June 2025, a fully-booked group visit to Airbus Helicopters UK (AHUK) provided attendees with a rare, behind-the-scenes experience at one of the nation’s premier aerospace organisations. Promoted during our May talk, the event attracted 20 enthusiastic participants, all eager to embark on a morning of discovery, learning, and networking.
The day began on a welcoming note, with refreshments served from 9:30am. AHUK staff ensured a smooth start by preparing all visitor documentation in advance, making check-in effortless for everyone.
At 10:00am, the group was greeted by AHUK Managing Director Richard Atack, who delivered a clear and engaging introductory briefing. Supported by well-crafted slides, his presentation outlined the structure of the Airbus organisation and offered valuable insights into the diverse operations at the Oxfordshire site. Attendees were encouraged to ask questions, all of which were answered thoroughly and enthusiastically by the AHUK team.
Following the briefing, participants were divided into two groups for guided tours—one led by Richard Atack and the other by Nick Goodman from Sales and Marketing. The tours provided a comprehensive walkthrough of the business, covering every stage from marketing and offers, through design, manufacture, installation, testing, and certification, to the ongoing support of maintenance and continuing airworthiness of products.
Visitors were particularly impressed by the breadth of activities taking place on site, the wide range of skill sets involved, and the exciting career opportunities available locally within the aerospace sector.
May talk - Oxfordshire's Aviation Heritage (John Gilbert)
May talk - Oxfordshire's Aviation Heritage (John Gilbert)
April Visit - Air Tanker at RAF Brize Norton
April Visit - Air Tanker at RAF Brize Norton
The visit was well-received, with content considered excellent by participants. Tours were led by knowledgeable guides who provided insightful commentary. The introductory briefing, delivered by representatives from Air Tanker and RAF 10 Squadron, was described as clear and comprehensive. Attendees were encouraged to ask questions, which were answered thoroughly.
Air Tanker presented branded mementos to all attendees. Following the event, a message of thanks was sent to Geoff Winterbottom and the Air Tanker team on 11 April.
The hangar visit included a close look at a VIP-configured Voyager aircraft, as well as both internal and external inspections of a standard Voyager. At the training facility, while the full flight simulator was unavailable due to being in use, participants enjoyed an excellent demonstration of the procedures trainer.
All briefings were enhanced by well-illustrated slide presentations, which contributed to the overall clarity and success of the event.
The event focused on Voyager Force operations and Private Finance Initiative (PFI) arrangements, featuring guided tours of the Air Tanker maintenance hangar and training facility. The programme ran from 0930 to 1330.
The visit was advertised during a March presentation, resulting in a high level of interest and over-subscribed bookings. Ultimately, twenty participants were able to attend. Prior to the event, attendees received a helpful pre-visit programme and clear directions from the host organisation.
March talk - State of play for civil transport (Kiran Rao)
March talk - State of play for civil transport (Kiran Rao)
January talk - History, Role and Future of Satellites (Patrick Wood)
January talk - History, Role and Future of Satellites (Patrick Wood)
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