Six West, a world-leading provider of flight operations services to aircraft lessors, airlines and private aviation in collaboration with the Cork-based Atlantic Flight Training Academy (AFTA) are delighted to announce the winners of the Student Initiative Competition, launched in September 2019.
The competition, which was open to all students in Ireland from transition to sixth year, was designed to create awareness of Ireland’s thriving aviation industry and to encourage students to consider a career in the field.
The winners, Ben Christy from Mount St. Michael, Rosscarbery, Cork and Evan Banable from Sutton Park School, Dublin, impressed the judges with their video entries. Evan’s submission focussed on the return of supersonic flight whilst Ben’s proposed a method to reduce fuel consumption during taxiing. They have both been awarded a simulator training session on a Boeing 737/800 and a flying lesson courtesy of AFTA.
Claire McCarthy, Project Manager at Six West, comments, “The judging panel was deeply impressed by the quality of the submissions received and it’s encouraging to see so many students taking such a keen interest in aviation. Both of the winners presented innovative ideas which sparked debate amongst the judges and I am excited to see what the future has in store for these two young men.”
“At AFTA, we are happy to support initiatives that engage and encourage young people to consider a career in aviation. This Student Initiative Competition is an example of how different areas of the aviation business can collaborate to create awareness of the many career options aviation offers. The two winners, Ben and Evan, clearly have a bright future ahead of them in aviation and we are looking forward to having them join us here in AFTA for their simulator experience and introductory flights”, says Captain Mark J Casey, CEO and Head of Training AFTA.