Historic aircraft will fly over the skies of
Bedfordshire on Sunday 2 May as the Spring Air Display takes off at
the Shuttleworth Collection's Old Warden airfield.
Waiting in the wings is a Spitfire that can be
viewed as it is being restored to it's former glory by a team of
engineers including the first trainee engineer to be taken on at
Shuttleworth in over three decades.
Not many trainee engineers can claim to be
renovating a Spitfire that has seen action in World War II and
starred in the film Battle of Britain, but Gareth Rutt from
Biggleswade certainly can.
The Shuttleworth Trust (Education) has set up
a trainee scheme, in partnership with Bedford College and Marshall
Aerospace, with Gareth the first trainee engineer in 30 years.
Studying Aeronautical Engineering at Bedford
College offers students the opportunity to gain specialist
knowledge and skills that are recognized in the aeronautical
industry. Courses combine study with practical work
experience and a launch pad to a career in aeronautical engineering
where they may work on a range of aircraft from commercial and
corporate to military and covering all ages from the most modern to
historic.
To find out more students are invited to come
along to the Open Day at Bedford College on 11 May (2pm-8pm) or
ring 01234 29100 or see http://www.bedford.ac.uk/
Bedford College proved the launch pad for
Gareth and he is now learning specialist skills in renovating
historic aircraft from engineer Andy Preslent, who was the original
first trainee engineer at Shuttleworth and is now in his 40th year
working on renovating and maintaining over 50 world famous historic
aircraft.
Andy explained:
“The trainee scheme combines aeronautical
engineering at Bedford College and Marshall Aerospace with
specialist knowledge that can only be learnt here. Working on
vintage aircraft, trainees will learn a wide range of techniques
including woodwork and fabric in restoration of our vintage
aircraft.”
Gareth Rutt has always had a fascination for
aircraft. As a child his grandfather took him to air shows at
Shuttleworth and he joined the Shuttleworth Trust as a work
experience student, from Stratton Upper School, when he was
14. That gave him the bug for restoring vintage aircraft and
he went on to study aeronautical engineering at Bedford
College. After completing year 1 of a 2 year diploma course
he read in the Shuttleworth magazine about a new trainee scheme and
decided it was for him.
As trainee engineer he has studied at Bedford
College and Marshall Aerospace, gaining a National Certificate with
double distinction. He is now studying towards NVQ3 and plans
to go on to achieve the prestigious qualification as Licensed
Aircraft Engineer.
“Not many people learn their trade working on
a Spitfire!”, explained Gareth.
“Learning specialist techniques of renovation
on the Spitfire is more romantic than working on airlines because
it is part of British history. My job as trainee engineer has
lots of variety, from working on the Spitfire to working on the
Bleriot, the worlds oldest airworthy aircraft, the same type as the
first to cross the channel in 1909. You can sense the history
as you work to renovate these historic aircraft to their former
glory.”
Una Watts, Trust General Manager, explained
that the new trainee scheme is already proving to be a huge success
and the close working relationship with Bedford College and
Marshall Aerospace ensures that everything is in place to lead to
Licensed Engineer status for trainees and for a new generation of
qualified engineers to work with the prized Shuttleworth
Collection.
She added:
“We have many young people who want to get
involved working with us in a voluntary or trainee capacity.
Our volunteers span the generations from enthusiasts with a wealth
of experience, such as our pilots and engineers, to younger people
who want to learn a skill. Gareth has certainly set a high
standard for others to follow.”
“The Shuttleworth Collection is about living
history and the people who work here are extremely proud of this
unique collection of aircraft and motors that continue to be
lovingly restored.”
The staff of 21, including 7 engineers, are
supported by a dedicated and committed team of 120 volunteers, some
of them highly skilled, who give their time in many different roles
from pilots to engineers and helping in the smooth running of the
many events that take place over the year.
With over 50 world-famous vintage aircraft all
in flying condition, visitors to the Shuttleworth Collection can
see over 100 years of aviation history and experience the thrill of
unique and spectacular air shows. Historic cars, motorcycles
and coaches complete the collection, housed within eight floodlit
hangars.