We were floating, say students in a flying lab

A group of A‑level students have swapped the classroom for the cockpit after taking part in an aviation lesson out of the ordinary.

The teenagers, from Luton, flew aboard the UK's only flying laboratory aircraft, where they experienced first‑hand the science and sensation of G‑force.

The flight - from London Luton Airport to Cranfield University in Bedfordshire - was offered to winners of a competition, as part of a joint project aimed at encouraging young people from under‑represented backgrounds to consider careers in aviation.

Eighteen‑year‑old Maria said the lesson was unforgettable. "It was a once‑in‑a‑lifetime experience," she said.

The competition formed part of the airport's Classroom to Careers programme, which is backed by the Civil Aviation Authority and Department for Transport's Reach for the Sky Challenge Fund.

Seventeen‑year‑old Leonardo said the flight reinforced his ambition to become a commercial pilot.

"I love aviation," he said. "You can study it [the mechanics of flight] on a computer screen, but feeling it is definitely important - if you're going to be a pilot, you need to know."

Sixteen‑year‑old Mahdi said the opportunity was unlike anything he had experienced before.

"You wouldn't feel these manoeuvres on a normal passenger flight," he said.

"Finding out I'd been chosen was really exciting."

During the flight, the aircraft - the National Flying Laboratory Centre - carried out a series of carefully controlled manoeuvres to demonstrate lift, drag and stability, allowing students to experience changes in gravity.

Some described moments of increased weight in their seats, while others experienced brief periods of near‑weightlessness as pilots explained how the aircraft responded.

Louise Hanlon, London Luton Airport's community and social impact manager, said the experience would give young people from a wide range of backgrounds direct exposure to the aviation industry.

"These students are going to be our pipeline talent for the future, and without this pipeline talent, we won't exist as an airport.

"So it's really, really important that we invest in young people, give them plenty of opportunities, and open the door to the number of careers that we have across the airport system."

The day ended with a celebratory event at Cranfield University, where students were given a behind‑the‑scenes tour of its aerospace facilities.

Organisers said the experience was designed not only to inspire, but to help students see how classroom learning could translate into real‑world careers.

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