His ambition is to fly a helicopter around the world!

We were delighted to welcome former student Nick Key, to give us some insights into becoming a pilot.

Nick began learning to fly a helicopter when he was 14 and has been flying for seven years. The Science lecture, organised by Head of Science, Mr MacMorland, was open to all ages and there were certainly some keen aviators in the room, who asked key questions about training and qualifications and the differences between flying commercial helicopters and other aircraft.

Nick’s mother had worked as an intensive care nurse in America, where she saw that helicopters were used as part of the emergency services. Nick said he cannot remember the first time he ever flew in a helicopter, it’s been part of his life since he was a young child.

As well as talking about helicopter models and lots of flying facts, he outlined the dedication it has taken to pass all the exams in order to qualify as a commercial pilot. Nick explained some of the physics around flying a helicopter (with its blades and air-flow) and the similarities in technique between flying a heli and driving a digger!

The first solo helicopter flight around the world was completed in the early 1980s. Nick is planning on attempting this feat in 2023 – and his main challenge is gathering the sponsorship to help him fulfill his quest.