Students’ steady hands win unique prizes
THREE students have won instruments from iconic former Aurigny Trislander G-JOEY in a competition on the airline’s stand at the EY Careers and Skills Show at Beau Sejour.
The plane was transported to Oatlands recently, where it will go on display later this summer.
Molly Phillips, from the Grammar School, claimed first prize and won the horizontal situation indicator from the aircraft.
La Mare de Carteret student Joshua Platt claimed second place and won the altimeter.
Third place went to Toby Beasley, from Les Beaucamps, who won the airspeed indicator.
All prizes are mounted on a metal stand made from aircraft material with a plaque.
The challenge was to complete a Joey-shaped wire buzzer steady hand challenge in the fastest time, receiving a 10 second penalty every time they touched the wire.
The overall winner, Molly, 15, said she was delighted to have won a genuine instrument.
‘It’s very cool,’ she said. ‘I’m quite interested in piloting or aerospace engineering. It’s the whole aerodynamics and the physics of flying. I’ve been interested from a young age. When I was younger, I was more into spacecraft.’
Aurigny’s group technical director John-Paul Williams congratulated the winning students, who showed steady hands and remained calm under pressure – both key attributes for engineers.
‘There was very strong competition to win these unique prizes, but Molly, Joshua and Toby kept their nerve and completed the buzzer competition in great times,’ he said.
‘Our own staff also gave it a go on the day but could not beat the times of the three winners.
‘They are taking home prizes that are completely unique. Joey is incredibly popular, and they get to keep their very own piece of the aircraft and Aurigny history.’
When picking up their awards, the students were given a tour of the Aurigny hangar and had the opportunity to see engineers at work.
Mr Williams said engineers were responsible for keeping the aircraft flying to the highest industry standard.
‘It’s an exacting profession and requires a lot of study and hard work, but the rewards of working on highly-sophisticated aircraft are immense and you will never be bored,’ he said.
Aurigny currently has four certified engineer positions available and plans to offer apprenticeships in 2018 and onwards.
