Flying High
Switched on to Engineering
The Challenge
Competition deadline: Wednesday 29th February 2012
Flying High is an aircraft design competition open to teams of 2-6 students in both GCSE and A-Level year groups.
We want you to design an aeroplane to transport the mirror segments of the ESO European Extremely Large Telescope, being built by OpTIC Glyndŵr, in the most economical way. The aircraft needs to carry 1,000 segments of the main mirror. Each mirror segment is hexagonal and 1.5m across, and 0.1 m thick, and weighs 15kg each.
When designing your plane you must consider overall mass, wing and fuselage design, tail plane and fin, and most importantly method of propulsion.
Your entries can be as simple or complex as you like. Entries must be in the form of a 3-view scale drawing – showing top, side and front views. All drawings must be accompanied by an official entry form.
Each design will be tested on the Glyndŵr University’s flight simulator. The aircraft design that flies the furthest on a set amount of fuel will win. Winning teams from each year group will have the opportunity to visit the university to “fly” their aircraft on the flight simulator in person.
Get Involved
The deadline for completed entries is Wednesday 29th February 2012.
If you’re interested in your pupils taking part, you can complete an entry form and send it to the address below.
If you would like more information, please get in touch with Sophie:
Sophie Fish
Project Manager: Switched on to Engineering
Techniquest Glyndŵr
Glyndŵr University
Mold Road
Wrexham
LL11 2AW
Mobile +44 (0) 7730 090880
Tel +44 (0) 1978 293400
sophie@tqg.org.uk
Teachers’ Resources
Teachers’ Guidelines
Please choose the format you would like to download this resource as:
About the project
In April 2011, the Royal Academy of Engineering (RAE) awarded Techniquest Glyndŵr a grant to deliver a project called Switched on to Engineering.
The project will bring together engineers from the Department of Aeronautical and Mechanical Engineering, Glyndŵr University, those working in local and regional engineering companies, and Techniquest Glyndŵr, to raise young people’s awareness of the nature and diversity of engineering, and to show them the variety of opportunities available in engineering. At the same time it will train young engineers in public engagement and provide them with a forum in which to demonstrate their passion for engineering as they showcase their work.
The activities will include a competition to design aeroplanes that will be tested in the University flight simulator, as well as a STEM Fair with a focus on engineering that will be held on the University campus at which engineers from the University and from external companies who have participated in the training will showcase their areas of engineering.
About the RAE
As the UK’s national academy for engineering, the RAE brings together the most successful and talented engineers from across the engineering sectors for a shared purpose: to advance and promote excellence in engineering.