Royal Navy Helicopter lands a treat

1st Dec, 2009, by Jude Owens

Staff and students at The Kings of Wessex School had a stirring start to Tuesday (1/12/09) when a Royal Navy Helicopter landed for a day's visit.

After the first frost of the winter, with near ideal weather conditions the £50 million, 14.6 tonnes, 18-seat and three engine Merlin Mark I circled around the school before landing on the tennis courts to the amazement of the windswept audience. Given its tremendous downwash an extensive risk assessment had taken place to ensure the helicopter could land safely before creating wind speeds of over 100mph. Students watched the dramatic landing of this impressive example of engineering from the Design Technology classrooms.

(Photo courtesy of the Cheddar Valley Gazette)

On board from the 814 Naval Air Squadron were Senior Pilot Lieutenant Commander "Sparky" Macleod, an Observer, two Engineers and the Aircrewman. The crew had flown over from Royal Navy Air Station Culdrose in Cornwall undertaking various training exercises on the way. Part of the Tiger Squadron, the Merlin and its crew are affiliated to a NATO international organisation of Tigers that meet every year around the world.

Commenting on their visit Senior Pilot Lieutenant Commander Sparky Macleod said: "Visits such as these, not only provide an invaluable training opportunity for our aircrew, but more importantly enable us to meet - and hopefully inspire the sailors of the future."

The Merlin and its crew had recently returned from time in the Gulf, where its preliminary role is in anti- submarine warfare, as well as search and rescue. When in the UK, the team visit schools to meet students as part of their educational role. Groups of Kings students interested in a career in the Forces were thrilled to have an exciting tour of the Merlin, which can be equipped with four torpedoes, as well as sonar, radar, and other devices that listen for submarines.

Kings Headteacher Chris Richardson said: "This special visit was a moving reminder of our Forces in combat, and was an exciting insight for us all into their work. We are very grateful to the Royal Navy for visiting us and sharing their time and expertise".

The whole school watched - at a safe distance - to say farewell and thank you as the helicopter lifted up into the sky later in the afternoon.

(Photo courtesy of the Cheddar Valley Gazette)