Apache helicopter lands at Habs as part of physics lesson

 

On Wednesday 14 March, the boys and staff at Habs were treated to a visit by an Apache helicopter from Boscombe Down, the home of the Empire Test Pilots’ School, in Wiltshire.

  

Two pilots kindly gave up their time to take part in pre-organised physics and CCF lessons. They arrived in some style, landing near the cricket square in front of Aldenham House, where boys and staff watched on. Rapturous applause greeted the pilots as they disembarked the helicopter.

 

The benefit of the visit to Habs was twofold. Firstly, the one pilot addressed both the Lower and Upper Sixth physicists on the features of the aircraft and its design. This was largely a question and answer session in the Aske Hall. There were many technical aspects raised, and popular areas for questioning included:

 

– Generating force for lift and motion

– Minimising risk of detection

– Locating enemy lasers and rocket launchers

 

Pleasingly, in typical Habs fashion, the boys were still asking questions after the allotted hour was up!

 

 

Secondly, this was an opportunity for the boys to see such a sophisticated aircraft close up. While one pilot was in the Aske Hall, the other pilot stayed by the helicopter for almost two hours, where he took questions from physics students, CCF cadets and boys from across the School.

 

 

When taking off to depart, the pilots remained in the hover position before leaving the School to return to their base.

 

 

The Army want to show future physicists and engineers how they can apply much of what they are being taught in innovative, practical and creative ways. They want to inspire and interest boys into pursuing an aeronautical career.

 

The School are thankful to everyone who was involved in the day, particularly the two pilots and the physics staff for organising the event.