An ambitious project to build and fly a
Murphy Maverick aircraft within a secondary school year has been undertaken by St. Paul's
Collegiate in Hamilton.
The pilot project is intended as a precursor to a nation-wide development and is being lead by long time Hamilton aviation identity Ossie James.
Corporate sponsorship from Hamilton based companies has enabled the project to purchase the Murphy Maverick from a deceased estate in Christchurch. The aircraft is intended to be completed by the students and be ready to fly by November 1998. It is a tall undertaking considering no student or adult supervisor has completed an aircraft of this design type and the fact that the kit was still being unpacked at the project launch on March 12.
No Maverick model has been completed in New Zealand to date. The Canadian factory estimates 700 - 1000 hours depending on personal experience.
Ossie James told Aviation News that he intention of the scheme is for the Royal Aeronautical Society to take a lead in the development of aviation opportunities in aviation through education. Young people in secondary schools are the target.
Support for the project is coming from Waikato based aviation business' and groups including Pacific Aerospace Corporation, Waikato Aero Club, Sport Aviation Corporation and the Hamilton branch of the Royal Aeronautical Society (NZ Division).
Mr. James said that world wide the Royal Aeronautical Society
had noted a distinct lack of interest in attracting suitable people to aviation.
To enter the industry young people needed hands on experience. The construction of this aircraft will not only provide hands on skills but the opportunity is available for the students to take flight instruction with either the Waikato Aero Club or Sport Aviation Corporation. This section of the project will have its costs borne by the students themselves. The pilot is part of a wider scope project where the initiative shown by St. Paul's can be extended across New Zealand and ultimately off-shore. Aviation News understands more than $100,000 in sponsorship has been promised to continue the project further. There is no shortage of would-be participants. More than 30 registered their interest in a project which can only cater to 10 - 12. Senior students at the school will be given opportunity. Upon completion the aircraft will be offered for sale and the school may opt to include an aviation subject in its curriculum for the 1999 year.
Aviation News wishes the St. Paul's team well in their endeavor and will report at regular intervals on progress.
* New Zealand Aviation News is a monthly aviation magazine published in Auckland New Zealand. This article was reprinted with permission.
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