THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Every passion needs a spark, and for those students in Kerala who dream of becoming pilots or aeronautical engineers, this earnest initiative could serve as the tool to ignite that incisive spark!Students in the state will soon get a chance to learn aeromodelling, one of the finest and most popular pastimes in the world, and most importantly, the launch-pad for many a pilot and aeronautical engineers in the world.The project, a joint effort of Futura Aero-marine Technologies and a couple of aeromodelling enthusiasts, would be aimed at children of class 6th to 10th standards.“We had formed an aeromodelling club, Futura Aero-sports, in Kochi last month. Now we plan to introduce a touring club which will conduct aeromodelling programmes in the schools that are interested in this initiative,’’ said Pappachan Joseph, a former IAF engineer and managing director of the firm.As majority of the students would be novices to the field, the organisers have planned a comprehensive awareness programme before initiating them into aeromodelling. “The programme would be in four modules. The first three modules would be theory classes - an introduction to aeromodelling, history of aviation and the theory of flight. Only after this, will they be initiated into aeromodelling,’’ Joseph said.The syllabus of the theory classes will vary according to the class of students.Aeromodelling workshops will be the most attractive session for the students, said Rakesh Ravindran, an aeromodelling enthusiast associated with the project.“A special kit to make live models will be given to each student. This includes balsa wood, gum and other accessories along with the drawings,’’ he said. The students will also have the opportunity to operate two remote-controlled aircraft models. “ They can try their hands on a Coaxial RC helicopter and a RC airplane,” Joseph said.“Aeromodelling has been the starting point for many a pilot and aeronautical engineers in the world,” says Rakesh. “It requires many qualities in a person to pursue this hobby. The model should adhere to the aerodynamic principles and a slight variation will make it unworthy of flying. It will enhance their engineering skills, logical reasoning, eye-hand coordination and imagination power,” Joseph opined.Awareness classes on career opportunities in the aviation also forms part of the programme, he said. “We have already been approached by some schools. We hope more schools to join us since extra-curricular activities are part of the curriculum in all syllabuses,’’ Joseph added.
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