Hartpury students wowed by RAF helicopter visit

Several Hartpury students on the Uniformed Public Services course had the chance to get up close and personal with an RAF Puma helicopter at the college on Monday.

Three crew members – stationed at RAF Benson – were on hand to take the lucky students on a detailed tour of the helicopter. Many jumped at the chance to sit in the cockpit and don the pilot’s helmets as they were shown the flight controls and briefed on the pilot’s and navigator’s responsibilities.

Level 3 Uniformed Public Services student Andrew Palmer said “we’ve had the chance to get inside the helicopter and to learn about the controls and have a go with them ourselves. The course is all about trying to get into the public services and it gives you the appropriate training but also the chance to do amazing things like this!”

“The guys were very helpful today and they have given me a great insight about what we can offer the RAF and what the potential might be for students like myself in terms of a career” he added.

Another Uniformed Public Services student, Charlotte Pretty, loved being able to find out more about the RAF.

“We found out all about the controls, how many people can be carried and all the ways in which the helicopter aids the RAF. We got to talk personally to the pilots and the RAF careers advisors which was brilliant for me because I’m thinking of pursuing a career in the RAF”.

The copter, which landed in front of Gloucester RFC’s training facility – based here at Hartpury – was also there to promote their game against London Welsh this weekend at Kingsholm.

For photos of the event click here.