When Northern Devon aerospace company Helitune threw open the doors at its Torrington headquarters to welcome school, college and university visitors, the real guest-of-honour was the mighty latest-generation AW149 military helicopter by Leonardo. The aircraft is competing to fill the UK’s future medium helicopter role.
Helitune is a key member of Team AW149 UK, Leonardo’s cohort of UK suppliers that contribute to the platform. The helicopter flew into Torrington from Leonardo’s UK base in Yeovil, to be greeted by the students, Helitune’s workforce and by visitors to the company’s open day event. Helitune was originally established in 1977 and now forms an integral part of Torrington’s Condition Monitoring Technology Group (CMTG) Ltd.
The emphasis on the day was on both Helitune’s development and manufacturing excellence as one of Northern Devon’s growing number of innovative high-tech companies and equally on the role the firm plays in providing high quality apprenticeship opportunities, to train the engineers of the future.
Three of Helitune’s management team who welcomed visitors on the day started as 16-year-old apprentices at the firm – Operational Director, Douglas Graham; Technology and Customer Support Manager, Peter Morrish; and Senior Systems Engineer, Jack Prouse.
Representatives from the schools and colleges involved in the visit believe the experience for their students will help fuel interest in apprenticeships and degrees in engineering and technology-based roles.
Nicholas Lieven, Professor of Aircraft Dynamics at the University of Bristol, said: “The visit to Torrington celebrated the world class technology Helitune brings to the UK’s aerospace industry. Northern Devon needs to do more of this to help promote interest in careers in the industry.”
Dr Caroline Chipperfield, Director of Higher Education at Petroc College, added: “What a success! Both students and staff were buzzing with enthusiasm and excitement.”
Great Torrington School’s rugby field, conveniently close to Helitune’s base at Hatchmoor, Torrington, provided a landing ground for the AW149 aircraft. Louise Leonard, Careers and Employment Engagement Officer at the school, said: “The tour around Helitune and the chance to see the latest-generation helicopter really opened our eyes to the array of high quality apprenticeships that the company can offer on our doorstep.”
Peter Morrish at CMTG and chair of the Northern Devon Economy, Innovation and Skill board, reflected on the day and said: “I thought the event would be good, but it was on another level. The level of engagement from our team here in Torrington, and the time and care the pilots, crew from the Leonardo team took with our staff, local students and guests really brought the day to life and captured the imagination – truly inspirational. It’s vital that we raise the awareness of engineering and technology career opportunities here in Northern Devon and to have the magnificent AW149 aircraft fly in and land so close to our factory – well, there is nothing quite like it to inspire people’s interest in engineering.”
Gabriella Ardessi, Campaign Manager at Leonardo Helicopters UK, added: “Helitune is a key South West company and an integral member of Leonardo’s Team AW149 UK. Opening its doors to local schools will have a positive impact on overcoming the serious skills shortage in science and engineering, not just in the South West, but the UK. It will enable the next-generation to see the exciting world of engineering from the laboratory to the skies.”
