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.
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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.
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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.

Swift Aircraft was the proud runner up of the North Norfolk Business Awards, Innovation category last week.  It was a great event to be a part of, and the competition was outstanding. Well done to all winners and runners up, we should all be proud of our business successes. 

Swift Aircraft is looking for recent Aeronautical Engineering graduates to join our design team. You will form an integral part of the company, which is an approved design and production organisation working on a vast range of interesting and innovative developments.

We are currently building the prototype of a new two seat side-by-side fully aerobatic composite training aircraft, and have a number of other exciting projects in the pipeline.

The company is based at Scottow Enterprise Park in Norfolk, formerly RAF Coltishall. Flight test and maintenance activities are performed on site alongside the design and production departments, making it one of the only locations in the UK to house all these disciplines in one place.

This is a varied and exciting role,  and one that could see you really make a mark on the GA industry.

If you are interested in finding out more or would like to apply, please email recruitment@swifttg.com with your CV and covering letter.

Swift Technology Group has been working with Team Odyssey over the last few months, the F1 in Schools entry from a group of sixth form students at Kimbolton School.

Companies within the group, including Swift Aircraft, Swift TG Solutions and TWF Solutions have provided support to the team through design, testing and manufacture of the final competition car.

Team Odyssey approached Swift for sponsorship after Rebecca Haines, Group Marketing Manager, attended an Open Day at the school and had chatted to the Design Technology students about the type of STEM projects on offer to the senior pupils. 

Swift has a number of STEM ambassadors within the group and has supported and launched a number of STEM initiatives ourselves, so we felt that this was a fantastic opportunity and a perfect match. The F1 in Schools project is one of the biggest STEM in schools initiatives in the world, and it’s been an honor to be part of it, especially with such an amazing team.  The fact that F1 in schools includes artistic creativity and marketing as a major part of the judging criteria was also a big pull, as TWF forms an important part of the Swift group, and the significance of these disciplines is too often disregarded.
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“When I saw Kimbolton School students showcasing their F1 in Schools entry, I was very impressed – offering sponsorship was testament to their capability, positive attitude, inspired minds and a hunger for success”. Rebecca Haines

Paul Burton, Group Design Manager, worked closely with the team, providing advice along the way and enthusing the students into thinking outside the box about certain aspects of the design process. He’s been the lynch pin between Swift and Odyssey and enjoyed every moment. Swift hopes that Paul has been inspirational to the team because sharing his ideas, skills and passion for what he does is key to his aspirations and vision - encouraging future generations to follow in his footsteps and not be afraid to take creative risks in all aspects of design.

"Team Odyssey were tasked with using nature to provide inspiration for their model. I am very impressed with the final result. It shows a creative flair, along with some intelligent engineering decisions.” Paul Burton

Team Odyssey were very keen to impress and made every effort to keep Swift in the loop of their progress every step of the way. This project runs alongside the students’ A Level studies, so it takes a lot of commitment and passion to take part in this competition, Team Odyssey have this in abundance, and it’s something they should be very proud of.  It’s been an absolute pleasure working with the team, and Swift hopes to see them smash a win at the Regional Finals – they deserve it!

F1 in Schools is an international STEM competition in which students must design and manufacture a miniature car out of the official F1 Model Block using computer engineering design tools. The cars are powered by CO2 cartridges and attached to a track by a nylon wire.  The teams are judged on the design and speed of the car together with their accompanying portfolio and presentation. The main objective of the competition is to help change the perceptions of science, technology, engineering and maths by creating a fun and exciting learning environment for young people to develop an informed view about careers in these sectors.

Swift Technology Group is a technology-focused group of companies working within STEM industries, providing ground-breaking innovate 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 has extended their invites to team Odyssey to visit Swift head office at SEP, Norwich (formerly RAF Coltishall) and hopes each member will stay in contact. Who knows, the future may bring us back together with potential opportunities and more STEM projects. However, whatever path they wish to follow, we would like to wish them all the very best.
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TWF, the design and marketing arm of Swift, would also like to take this opportunity to extend our thanks to Signs UK for providing the printed car decals free of charge. We have worked with this company for many years and they were more than happy to offer their support to this project.

Only one thing left to say, good luck Team Odyssey and thank you for letting us be part of this amazing project.  

We are proud and super excited to announce that we have been shortlisted for the North Norfolk Innovation Business Award 2019 in association with Fakenham & Wells Times and the North Norfolk News.

There was an increase of more than 20% in the number of entries this year, and we have been told that the judges had their work cut out whittling down each category to three finalists, so we feel privileged to be in this position, especially as its our first year of entering. 

The winners will be announced during the awards night on Thursday 21 February at Gresham's School in Holt, which will be hosted by Chris Sargisson, Chief executive of Norfolk Chamber of Commerce. 

Please keep your fingers crossed for us! 

For more details, and to see a full list of finalists, please click here.

Swift Aircraft is proud to sponsor the Royal Aeronautical Society Light Aircraft Conference 2018. The event was well attended and a resounding success with some fantastic feedback from the delegates. 
Here are Swift Aircraft's very own Josh and Qaisar enjoying the day. 

Swift Aircraft is proud to be sponsoring the Royal Aeronautical Society Light Aircraft Design Conference 2018 again this year. The event will be held on 19th November 2018, at No.4 Hamilton Place.

The conference this year is themed ‘On the Lighter Side’. Over the last few decades there has been a remarkable resurgence of grassroots aviation driven by science and technology - notably materials and electronics, and the sheer fascination and joy of flight. It won’t stop here – and our aim is to give a taste of current developments and where we are all going. Wingsuits, flying bicycles, foot launch, design and UAV proof of concept, ultralight aircraft – and beyond.

Winners of the 2018 Design Competition will also be announced during the event – Swift would like to wish all entrants the very best of luck.
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For more details, or to book your place, visit the Royal Aeronautical Society website, or click here to download the Conference Programme. 

Swift Aircraft is pleased to announce that the planning application to re-open the runway at Coltishall has now been submitted following the requirement for additional impact assessments.

After consultation with various groups, we have gained support from the local community, aviation authorities, aviation communities and STEM ambassadors. We invite you to join them in offering your support via the Planning Portal.
 
The company moved to SEP, formerly RAF Coltishall, last year, which was a fitting tribute to the site, and an incredible rebirth. Dave Stanbridge. Managing Director explains “helping to revive the British aviation industry has been a key goal of the mine from the outset and being able to do this from a site with such historical aviation value is inspiring. The passion of the local community to restore the heritage is infectious, and the support we have gained for our enterprise has been overwhelming. Saving the runway, and offering it back for the use it was built for is an opportunity to preserve part of the UK’s national aviation heritage. People fought tirelessly to save the runway from demolition, and this community is delighted that it is being used for the purpose it was built, albeit for the use of much smaller and quieter aircraft!”
 
He continues  “Earlier in the year, there was a call to save military airfields from closure as they are a vital asset which, once closed will never be replaced, and we are offering active support to aviation groups which have been set up for this purpose. SEP at RAF Coltishall, and the opening of the runway is just a small part of the bigger picture, but one that will offer positive news to the aviation community and the local economy”
 
The company is set to create over 100 jobs in the area over the next few years, the majority in STEM functions, and look to move other parts of the Group to the site once planning is approved, which could increase this number significantly.

Swift Aircraft is working closely with Spirit of Coltishall Association (ScCA) to gain insight into our new location, Scottow Enterprise Park (formerly RAF Coltishall).

SoCA was set up to preserve the history of the base, they fought tirelessly with the local community to save the runway from being demolished, and now work closely with SEP to encourage the proper use of the hangars and the runway where possible.

David Welsh, Chairman of SoCA is delighted that Swift Aircraft has located to Hangar 2 and the company and association have developed close bonds to help us provide a tribute to days past.

Members of the committee visited the Hangar for an afternoon of reminiscing, and this really helped us as a company to comprehend just how important the site and hangar is, not only to the individuals, but to the history of military aviation in the UK.
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We are looking forward to sharing some of our joint projects in the future, keep watching this space!

In 2015, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) announced the launch of E Conditions. E Conditions is a simple requirement for approving the initial flight testing of small experimental aircraft in the UK.  This promised to benefit small-scale aircraft designers and manufacturers by reducing the red tape and financial burdens associated with securing airworthiness and operational approval for new light aircraft designs, encouraging the growth of new design concepts.
 
David Stanbridge, CEO of Swift Aircraft, was part of the Royal Aeronautical Society GA Specialist Group who took a leading role along with the CAA in helping to launch E Conditions and feels strongly that this is a positive step for the future of General Aviation (GA) in the UK.
 
We are now pleased to announce that he has become a Competent Person through the RAeS.
This is, of course, fantastic news for Swift Aircraft as it means we can fly and test the new Swift under E Conditions and David will be qualified to complete all declarations required for submission to the CAA, speeding up the process of getting the Swift in the air and ready for certification.
 
Find out more about E Conditions here

​We are proud to announce that David Stanbridge, Group CEO, has been awarded Charted Engineer (CEng) by the Royal Aeronautical Society (RAeS) / Engineering Council. Chartered Engineers are characterised by their ability to develop appropriate solutions to engineering problems, using new or existing technologies, through innovation, creativity and change.
 
David is already elected Chairman of the Royal Aeronautical Engineering Society General Aviation Group and member of the Specialist Groups Committee.

He is honoured to have been awarded these qualifications and positions within the society and promises to use his knowledge, experience, drive and vision to help enhance the British General Aviation (GA) industry.
 
Congratulations David, you are indeed an inspirational ambassador, aeronautical engineer and aviator.

​In a bid to put Norwich on the British aviation map, Swift Aircraft relocated to Scottow Enterprise Park (formerly RAF Coltishall) late last year.  Hangar 2 has now been refurbished to house our head office and facilitate a manufacturing hub for the new Swift.

As a company we feel that moving here is a fitting tribute to the site, and an incredible rebirth. Helping to revive the British aviation industry has been a key goal of the company from the outset and being able to do this from a site with such historical aviation value is inspiring. The passion of the local community to restore the heritage is infectious, and the support we have gained for our enterprise has been overwhelming.

There are not many airfields available in and around the Norfolk area, home to the Swift venture, as most of the runways have been dug up or are in disrepair. The fact that Coltishall does not fall into this category is testament to the local community who fought hard to stop controversial plans to dig up part of the runway.
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We’ll share updates on the progress at Scottow over the next few months as we continue to breathe new life into such an important historic building. 

​The Royal Aeronautical Society is hosting its second Light Aircraft Design Competition. aimed at promoting major innovation in the General Aviation aircraft sector.
The scope is constrained to meeting the requirements of the CAA’s E Conditions which enable the rapid design, build and experimental flight testing of piloted aircraft up to 2000 kg maximum mass within the UK.
Entries are invited for this competition from everyone; students, enthusiasts and professionals – individually or as a team.
The entries will be judged by a team of professional aeronautical engineers. Last year our very own CEO, David Stanbridge was part of the judging team and was very impressed by the ideas brought to the table.
If you think you have got what it takes, why not take a look (add link  (https://www.aerosociety.com/news/light-aircraft-design-competition-2017-2018/).
But hurry as time is running out, entries must be received by 30th June 2018.