News

Year 8 visit RNAS Yeovilton

12th July 2010


As part of the Geogrpahy curriculum Year 8 pupils enjoyed a visit to RNAS Yeovilton to see a real meteorological office in operation. 

Lucy Whitfield with "Commander" Ruth Butcher outside the Control Tower.

One activity included being taken onto the balcony to do some cloud identification and once back in the meteorological office, were shown various instruments used to collect data on the weather, such as an anemometer and a portable hygrometer. They were also shown computers that are used to forecast different aspects of meteorology, for example, one computer showed cloud heights being measured by lasers.

The students were also shown other aspects of life on a naval air station.  They visited air traffic control and a squadron where they were able to sit in the pilot's seat of a Sea King Helicopter. 

Learning about air traffic control

Lieutenant Commander Lang, who is a parent of Paul in Year 11, instructed the students on what each lever and pedal did.  Luckily he forgot to tell them how to turn on the engine!!

Many of the students were enthused by what they had seen, Harrison Hollins said "This was a very special day for me, I learnt so much", and Hugh Scannell was so excited by the visit that he is now thinking of changing his career path from drama for one in the RAF, but do not tell his mother!