AERALIS has announced their first test aircraft will be named ‘Phoenix’. The name was selected by a judging panel from over 800 names that were submitted as part of Mission 001, a competition with the Royal Air Force’s Air Cadets. Hundreds of young aviation enthusiasts entered the competition to name the first AERALIS test aircraft.

The panel, consisting of senior AERALIS employees and RAF representatives including Air Vice-Marshal Simon Edwards, RAF Director People, and Air Commodore Tony Keeling, Commandant RAF Air Cadets, met to sift through over 800 names submitted by Air Cadets to pick their favourite. After hours of deliberation, the judges selected the name which most represented the spirit and ambition of the first AERALIS aircraft.

The winner was a Cadet from Dawlish in Devon. In line with competition rules, he was picked at random from the 15 cadets who suggested the name Phoenix. He will receive a range of exciting prizes including a tour around the AERALIS facility to talk with key members of the business to help grow his understanding of the AERALIS project and the modern methods of aircraft design and manufacture. The 14 runners-up will also receive AERALIS prizes.

The was made on National STEM Day, and the business’ aim of the competition was to inspire young people into engineering. AERALIS has been closely engaged with the Air Cadets over the past year, attending their National Air and Space Camp to talk with young aviation enthusiasts about the future of British aerospace design and manufacture.

Following the conclusion of Mission 001, AERALIS will continue to work with the Air Cadets to launch further competitions, keeping the future aviation talent of tomorrow engaged with the next generation of British aviation.