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Four students from the University Technical College Norfolk (UTCN) visited Swift Aircraft to present their F1 in Schools sponsorship proposition. We are pleased to subsequently announce, we will be their Platinum sponsor for the 2020 competition. The students were given a tour of the facility and had the opportunity to meet with the engineering team. This was followed by a Paper Aeroplane Challenge with prizes awarded for distance and accuracy, and a working lunch discussing their project in more detail. Watch this news page for updates regarding the UTCN F1 in Schools progress. 
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Swift Aircraft was pleased to welcome 13 cadets from 2F WATFORD SQUADRON, Air Training Corps, Herts & Bucks Wing to our HQ in Norwich last week. After an introduction to Swift Technology Group, the cadets were given a tour of the manufacturing facility and introduced to the Engineering team where they were able to ask questions and learn about such systems as CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics), FEA (Finite Element Analysis) and CAD (Computer Aided Design). This was followed with a Paper Aeroplane Challenge with prizes awarded for distance and accuracy, and the session concluded with lunch and Q&A session. Another fantastic STEM event hosted by the company. If you would like to know more about our STEM initiatives, please email stem@swiftaircraft.co.uk.  Swift Aircraft recently attended the 4th Helensburgh Scout Group evening. Mike McLean gave a short presentation to the Scouts covering the basic principles of flight and a little history about the local area’s involvement with aviation. RAF Helensburgh was a Sea Plane / Flying Boat base during the 2nd world war. The Scouts also learned about composite materials like Carbon Fibre and the rapid development of technology and why we need new engineers for the future. Following the presentation, the Scouts had to make their own paper aeroplanes and a lively set of competitions were held. These were the Distance Challenge, the Accuracy Challenge and finally the Dynamic Challenge where the Scouts had to fly their planes through two moving hula hoops at a range of about 10m! All three prize cups (mugs actually) were won by members of Cobra Troop, obviously using their snake-like reflexes to full effect. Swift Aircraft and Swift Technology Group would like to thank 4th Helensburgh Scout Group for a fun evening. The dedication and efforts of the troop leaders plus the enthusiasm and energy of the Scouts was evident. We wish them all the best for the future and hopefully we’ll see some engineers and aviators emerge in the coming years. Swift Aircraft was delighted to be invited to 222 (Broadlands) Squadron Annual Formal Inspection 2019. It was an excellent evening with a sunlight parade, Drill Squad display and other activities. Reviewing Officers on parade were Wg Cdr Miller MBE and Sqn Ldr Green MBE. The Cadets all did themselves proud, and everyone was very impressed by the standards displayed. Well done to all involved, we enjoyed being part of this wonderful event. We would like to extend our thanks to the Squadron for the invitation, and look forward to growing our relationship with you all in the future. Swift Technology Group sponsored the UTCN entry in the Greenpower race challenge earlier this month. Despite difficult weather conditions, the team battled on, showing amazing resilience, outstanding teamwork and a positive attitude. Unfortunately, the team did not make it to the finals, however, the way they conducted themselves is to be congratulated, and the progress they made was immense - they should all be very proud of themselves. It's been great to be a part of the journey, and we look forward to future projects with the college and team members. Yesterday was hailed a great day for Swift Aircraft, and indeed the aviation industry in Norfolk, as North Norfolk District Council granted approval for our proposals to re-open the runway at Scottow Enterprise Park (formerly RAF Coltishall). This decision means that Coltishall will make aviation history once more as we take to the skies in the Swift later in the year; a critical step toward to achieve our aviation goals. When we applied for permission to open the runway, we held a planning open day, and received support from the local residents, many of whom had fought tirelessly for the runway to be saved. The fact that this asset still remains in situ is testament to them, and they are thrilled that this will be used for the purpose it was built. As Scottow Enterprise Park is split between two authorities, both Councils must approve our proposals. Permission remains pending with Broadland District Council, however, with a unanimous vote from North Norfolk, we hope that support will be forthcoming in the very near future. Everyone at Swift Aircraft is thrilled with the news, and we look forward to moving forward with flight plans in the coming months. Despite the last hurdles, we remain confident that Norfolk will become a centre for aviation, technology and innovation with Swift at the heart of this. EDP Article Radio Norfolk - Matthew Gudgin interviews David Stanbridge  The decision to bring the runway at Scottow Enterprise Park (formerly RAF Coltishall) back into use is due to be decided.
Swift Aircraft applied for planning permission to open the runway last year, and after months of considerations, the decision will be made by Norfolk’s Planning Committee today. Planning approval would mean that we could bring the runway back to it’s former use, albeit with much less frequency and volume. The site was an RAF airbase for 70 years prior to its closure in 2006, and it is steeped in history. The runway is a historical asset and one many local residents fought hard to keep. It would be a fitting tribute to allow aircraft to once again take to the skies from this site; a celebratory nod to the past and the start of a remarkable future. We have received a lot of support for our application and hope that we will be forming further plans in the coming days. EDP Article 19th June 2019 Swift Technology Group is proud to sponsor a team of students from UTCN in the Greenpower Education Trust Race. The team will take part in the Norfolk Lotus heat at Hethel Race Track on 8th June 2019.
AMEL, Swifts’ manufacturing arm, has provided hardware for the car – the UTCN team worked closely with members of AMEL to design a number of glass fibre and carbon fibre parts for their race car. TWF Solutions, the marketing and design company within the group, has also liaised with the team and supplied car decals. Swift Technology Group is a keen advocate of STEM and several staff members are STEM Ambassadors. Helping to create engineers of the future is currently a main focus for the group, and with the need for a strong engineering workforce in the near future, facilitating these local students with careers in the sector, is a very real prospect. Swift Technology Group is a technology-focused group of companies working within STEM industries, providing ground-breaking innovative solutions predominately in Aviation, Renewables and Oil & Gas. The company has invested millions of pounds into Research and Development over the last decade and will soon see its two flagship products launched commercially. The group is based at Scottow Enterprise Park and will be increasing the workforce to over 100 in the next few years. Due to this expansion, the company is looking to the college as a potential supplier of local skilled engineers. UTCN is a technical college based in Norwich for 14 to 19 year olds. It provides practical skills-based learning and real-world experiences, backed up with a strong academic grounding. Its goal is simple: to provide students with the qualifications they need to go to university or take up skilled employment. With a focus on engineering, science and maths, it aims to help fill the skills-gap in these sectors. Entering into initiatives such as the Green Power Race is testament to this as it allows the students to show off their STEM and creative skills in a practical environment. Swift is working closely with the college on a number of initiatives and look forward to strengthening the relationship even further in the coming months. Green Power Education trust offers a unique challenge: to design, build and race an electric car. Teams of students aged between 9 and 25 from all over the world compete in events across the globe, with the final taking place at the UK’s Rockingham Motor Speedway. The goals of Swift are strongly aligned with UTCN and Greenpower; to inspire young people into STEM industries, unlock their potential and kick start lifelong careers. It’s therefore been a pleasure to work alongside these STEM advocates for this project. On a final note, everyone at Swift would like to wish the UTCN team good luck this weekend, it’s been a pleasure to meet you all and be part of this exciting project. We will provide an update next week and hope to report a win! Swift Aircraft was proud and delighted to receive our first visit from the RAF, the first return for “Blue Suits” to Hangar 2 since the base was decommissioned in 2006. Station Engagement Officer, Warrant Officer Mo Howard, Chief Tech Will Clements, and Sergeant Chris Anderson attended as part of their community, industry and STEM outreach. Swift Technology Group is a keen advocate of STEM with several staff members as STEM Ambassadors. The parallels between the interests of Swift and the RAF in terms of engagement with young people, training and employment creation are complementary and we look forward to future engagement and activities with the Air Training Corps, local schools, colleges, and universities.  The Employer Led event at University Technical College Norwich on 4th April 2019 was a great success. It was wonderful to meet current and prospective students and share with you our plans for the future; plans that one day you could become an integral part of. Our Paper-Aeroplane activity was a hit with all the students, and we must say, we were suitably impressed by the design techniques. In the distance challenge, the furthest flew over 18 metres, and two students managed to get their aircraft into the hangar in the precision test. Congratulations to everyone who took part, you were all brilliant. Special congratulations to our winners: 1st place in the distance challenge was David with the 'Super Dart', which flew over 18 metres. Maddie with the 'Staffy' and James with his 'Dart' were joint winners of the precision test, successfully landing their aeroplanes directly into the hangar. Thanks to everyone who joined in the fun and apologies to other exhibitors who were casualties of low flying aircraft! We look forward to working with the college and students again in the near future. In the meantime, good luck with your studies. Our ongoing STEM initiatives forms part of Swift Aircraft's commitment to revitalising the British Aviation industry and to inspire future generations of engineers. If you would like to visit Swift Aircraft with a team of students, please complete the Visit Swift Aircraft Online Application Form, or if you have STEM workshops ideas that you think we may be able to assist you with, please contact stem@swifttg.com  |
