Atlas Composites was on hand to encourage the UK’s engineers of the future by offering practical advice to a team of budding engineers at last weekend’s Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT) event at RAF Fairford, 7-8 July.
Eight teams of students from schools in the Cotswolds area each teamed up with an industry mentor to compete in The Lockheed Martin TRI@RIAT Warrior Engineering Challenge. Step forwards ‘Team Raptor’ mentored by Atlas Composites head of engineering, Andrew Taylor with students from the nearby Royal Wootton Bassett Academy. Their challenge for the day was to design and build a scale model ground machine, based on the Lockheed Martin Warrior armoured vehicle, capable of tackling a speed test and separate obstacle course. Marks were awarded for team work, design and efficient use of materials, as well as speed, accuracy and overall quality. The competition was judged by Tom Burbage, executive vice-president for Lockheed Martin UK, and Air Commodore David Bywater and Dr Jim Glover, directors of the Royal Air Force Charitable Trust Enterprises. In spite of a gallant first place in the time trial and a sterling effort over the obstacle course, Team Raptor were just edged out on the day finishing runners up to Carterton Community College. Commenting on Team Raptor's achievements, Atlas Composites’ Taylor said: “It was fantastic to see the enthusiasm and ingenuity displayed by all of the young Engineers of the future. The experience gained from working hands-on on a real-world Engineering problem is absolutely invaluable. “The students from The Royal Wootton Bassett Academy did amazingly well to manufacture the best performing vehicle of the challenge and had great fun in the process.” www.atlascomposites.com
