Bristol, England. 23 August 2023. AERALIS, the Bristol-based light jet manufacturer, yesterday launched a competition for Air Cadets to name their first flight test vehicle. The competition will give Air Cadets from across the UK the chance to get involved in the design and development of the jet and the winning name will be used throughout the engineering process as well as for the groundbreaking first flight. The winner will be announced later this year and the competition will involve a range of exciting prizes for both them and their unit.
The competition was launched at the Air Cadet National Air and Space Camp (NASC), hosted at RAF Syerston, the home of Air Cadet gliding. The NASC is an annual event that gives Air Cadets the opportunity to undertake a variety of specialist training activities as well as the opportunity to engage with military and industry partners to highlight future careers in aviation, aerospace and defence. Air Cadets also enjoyed an exciting flying display, including the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight and the Red Arrows.
AERALIS is committed to inspiring young people into careers in aerospace and this competition will help engage future aircrew, designers, engineers and software specialists with the development of the next generation of military aircraft.
AERALIS’s founder & CEO Tristan Crawford commented:
“We are very excited to be working with the Air Cadets to name the first AERALIS jet. AERALIS is the future of light jet military aviation, and we want to bring the future generation of aerospace professionals on this journey with us. We wish all those that take part the best of luck and we look forward to welcoming the winner and their family to our facility in Bristol.”
Commandant of the Air Cadets, Air Commodore Tony Keeling, said:
“The Air Cadets is an Air, Space and Cyber focussed youth organisation that exists to unlock potential in young people. The opportunity to have our cadets engage so closely with a light jet aircraft concept that is being developed in the UK is just too good to miss. They will gain unique insights about digital design, modular manufacture, and the use of novel materials, and to see an aircraft go from drawing board to first flight – wearing a name chosen by an Air Cadet – will prove to be hugely inspiration to the next generation.”
