Haverfordwest Airport buzzing on Open Hanger Day
Berw ym Maes Awyr Hwlffordd ar Ddiwrnod Awyrendy Agored
A busy and interesting Open Hanger Day was hosted by Metal Seagulls at Haverfordwest Airport recently.
Metal Seagulls provide support to the largest sector of powered light aviation in the UK, known as non-part-21 which covers the majority of two-seat fixed wing powered aircraft.
Poor weather reduced the number of visitors by air, although around a dozen still flew in to the Pembrokeshire County Council owned and operated airport from around the country, and more than 100 people toured the facilities.
Visitors met Patricia Mawuli Porter OBE, who runs Metal Seagulls’ operations, and her team, which includes a number of young people in collaboration with local academic partners.
They got the chance to see how light aircraft are built, maintained and repaired, look at the ULPower range of aircraft engines and DUC propellers, as well as the Zenair aircraft kits supplied by Metal Seagulls.
A sneak-peek was available of the cockpit of the powerplant and energy source agnostic Fafali aircraft that hopes to be test flown out of Haverfordwest next year.
Metal Seagulls works in collaboration with the University of Wales Trinity Saint David to provide opportunities for graduates to work on the next generation of engineering and aircraft designs, as well as providing apprenticeship options for Pembrokeshire College Students.
Mrs Porter said: “We are hoping to progress our provisions in Pembrokeshire to a full-blown production facility with a 50 aircraft per year capacity as growth in the next-gen aviation sector around the world opens new opportunities for aviation infrastructures.
“We were pleased to welcome so many people to the airport - considered by many as one of the friendliest and welcoming airports in the country - to find out more about our work here.”
Phil Davies, Airport Manager added: “Haverfordwest Airport was delighted to welcome new customers who visited the Metal Seagull open hanger event across the two days. Pembrokeshire County Council is pleased to be working closely with Metal Seagulls to help promote aviation.
“It is very encouraging to see Metal Seagulls offering apprenticeships in light aviation in Pembrokeshire, there are exciting times ahead with the possibility of larger production within the County.”
Pictured from left to right: Safi Altaf (Intern/UWTSD), Carys Williams (Research Associate/UWTSD), Patricia Mawuli Porter OBE (Director Metal Seagulls), Gwenevere Porter (Patricia's daughter and budding engineer/Metal Seagulls), Layney Lindsay (Apprentice/Pembrokeshire College) and Charlotte Ashton-Smith (Future Apprentice/Pembrokeshire College).