Welcome to the free introductory course for The Schools’ Aerospace Careers Programme! This short module offers an overview of what to expect and how this course can help kick-start your interest in aviation.

• Understand the course objectives
• Get a brief overview of the syllabus
• Gain insight into the aerospace industry’s role in the UK

Discover how steam power and mechanised production transformed Britain in the late 18th century. This era laid the groundwork for modern manufacturing and set the stage for engineering advancements in aviation.

• Steam engines revolutionised transport and factories
• Major shift from agrarian to industrial society
• Impact felt globally, led by developments in the UK

Explore how new technologies like electricity and the assembly line changed mass production worldwide. This period paved the way for rapid progress in science and engineering, influencing early aviation ventures.

• Widespread use of electric power
• Emergence of new materials like steel
• Rise of modern manufacturing processes

Understand the digital revolution that brought computers, electronics, and automation to the forefront of industry. These advances reshaped aviation design, operations, and global connectivity.

• Shift from analogue to digital systems
• Development of computerised manufacturing
• Laid the foundations for modern aircraft controls

Learn about the historic competition to reach outer space, driven primarily by the USA and USSR. UK research also contributed crucial rocket technology and satellite advancements.

• Key milestones: Sputnik, Moon landings
• Rocket design influenced by wartime research
• Inspired generations of aerospace engineers

Delve into how cutting-edge digital tech, AI, and advanced robotics are transforming aircraft production and operation. The UK’s aerospace sector is a major player in developing these innovative solutions.

• Integration of AI-driven systems
• Advanced materials and 3D printing
• Enhanced safety, efficiency, and sustainability

Look ahead to a future focused on collaboration between humans and technology, highlighting social impact and sustainability. This emerging era emphasises ethical innovation and responsible aerospace development.

• Human-centred design in advanced tech
• Sustainability as a core principle
• Growing emphasis on global collaboration

Get a basic introduction to the aerodynamic principles that enable an aircraft to lift off and stay in the sky. We’ll cover essential concepts like lift, weight, thrust, and drag.

• Bernoulli’s principle in action
• Role of propulsion and wing shape
• Balancing forces for stable flight

Discover how traditional aeroplanes generate lift through fixed wings, control surfaces, and engine thrust. These principles form the backbone of civil and military aviation across the UK.

• Ailerons, elevators, and rudder for manoeuvring
• Importance of wing design and flaps
• Landing gear and basic landing approaches

Learn how helicopters and other rotorcraft achieve vertical takeoff, hovering, and agile movement. Their unique rotor systems offer versatile capabilities in emergency services and beyond.

• Main rotor vs. tail rotor functions
• Advantages in rescue, police, and civilian operations
• Handling and manoeuvre differences from fixed-wing

Gain a basic understanding of the Earth’s atmosphere and how weather patterns affect aircraft performance. This knowledge is key for safe flying conditions, especially in the UK’s variable climate.

• Layers of the atmosphere
• Impact of temperature and pressure on flight
• Role of wind and humidity in aviation safety

Explore common cloud formations and how they influence weather and flight planning. Pilots rely on this information for visibility, turbulence prediction, and overall safety.

• Cumulus, Stratus, Cirrus, and more
• Cloud heights and their usual weather effects
• Significance for takeoff and landing

Get an overview of the fundamental regulations that govern aviation in the UK, from licensing requirements to air traffic control procedures. Complying with these laws ensures safe and orderly skies.

• Basic licensing and certification rules
• Key UK regulatory authorities (e.g., CAA)
• Essential operational guidelines for pilots

Test your newfound knowledge about aerospace history, flight principles, and the impact of industrial revolutions. Challenge yourself and see how much you’ve learned so far!

Wrap up your learning journey with an outline of the A2 Certificate of Competency (A2CofC), which is a recognised drone qualification in the UK. This final section highlights the next steps for those interested in UAV operations.

• Examining A2CofC requirements
• Potential career pathways in drone piloting
• Tips for further study and certification