FLINTSHIRE students were given an exclusive behind the scenes peak of airport life.

As part of the Airbus Foundation’s Flying Challenge Programme, a group of year 9 Ysgol Treffynnon students participated in an 'Aim High' scholarship week run by charity Fly2Help, with funding for transport from Reaching Wider - North and Mid Wales Partnership.

The programme is accredited at Industrial Cadets Gold Level, and aims to develop new workplace skills, offer practical experience, learn about careers in aviation and develop a passion for learning.

At Manchester Airport, an instructor talked to the students about learning to fly and the places he has visited as a pilot, then the students tried their piloting skills in the flight simulator.

After a visit to the fire and rescue station and the traffic control tower, the students went across to the heliport for a tour of the air ambulance and air police stations. During a visit to Ravenair Business Aviation Centre, which operates out of Liverpool's John Lennon Airport, the students met with a representative from the company to explore the aeroplane hangar and grounds.

Ravenair relies on the traffic control tower at John Lennon Airport to be able to fly planes in and out.

The students were given the opportunity to go into the tower where they were shown around the radar room, learning how the planes are coordinated in the air for a safe landing and watching planes coming in to land and taking off.

Part of the week was also spent at West Cheshire College in Ellesmere Port, and Coleg Cambria's Deeside campus.

The students learned about travel and tourism and the different job opportunities within the sector, including the roles and responsibilities of cabin crew, travel agents and holiday representatives. They also had a go at doing the pre-flight safety briefing.

In the engineering department at Coleg Cambria students found out about the Airbus Apprenticeship programme which is run at the college by Swansea University.

Since commencing the programme in September, the students have been working in groups with their Airbus mentors on numerous aviation related projects involving weekly sessions at Airbus, Broughton as well as classroom lessons and talks.

Vicky Bond, science technician at Ysgol Treffynnon has been working with the students.

She said: “We would like to say a massive thank you to Georgina Godfree from Fly2Help for organising the week, it has been absolutely brilliant.”

“The students have learned first-hand about the exciting field of aviation and all the different careers that are open to them, as well as developing their knowledge and understanding of flight itself.

“The Flying Challenge is giving these students a once in a lifetime opportunity and it is a privilege to be involved with such a wonderful initiative.”