As part of The Air League’s Soaring to Success® programme, fifteen pupils and three staff members from across the Together Learning Trust enjoyed an unforgettable day of aviation, experiencing not one, but two, exhilarating gliding flights at Burns Gliding Club.
The day began with a warm welcome from Lynne Barber of The Air League, who introduced students to the charity’s mission and the wide range of opportunities we provide. From scholarships to career pathways, students were encouraged to explore how aviation and aerospace could shape their futures.
This was followed by an inspiring talk from John Oppong, a Boeing Ambassador, whose journey to becoming an IT Analyst offered a great example of the diverse career routes available within the sector. His story challenged preconceptions and highlighted that aviation is not only about flying – it also relies on expertise in technology, engineering, and beyond.
The highlight, of course, was the flying itself. Each student was paired with an experienced instructor and introduced to their glider, ready to take to the skies in two distinct ways. The first flight used a tow plane to gently lift the glider into the air, offering a smooth and scenic introduction to gliding. The second, however, delivered a very different experience – launched via a winch, students were rapidly accelerated skyward in what many enthusiastically compared to a roller coaster ride.
Students approached the experience with a mixture of excitement and nerves, but every single one returned from their flights beaming with pride, confidence, and a sense of awe. For many, it was their first time flying, and an experience they will not soon forget.
“There is a tendency on these days for students to arrive a little quiet and perhaps a little nervous. In contrast, they leave full of confidence and inspired to learn more about flying. We expose them to a truly unique experience, something very different from a typical school outing, while providing insight and direction towards careers in aviation that may not have occurred to them previously.”
The day perfectly captured the essence of the Soaring to Success® programme: opening horizons, building confidence, and inspiring the next generation to consider futures in aviation and aerospace.
