The Aeronautical : Society of Mauritius rewards best essays

Eighteen finalists were rewarded for producing the best essays in the Aviation Essay Competition organised by the Aeronautical Society of Mauritius (AeSM). The prize giving ceremony took place on Monday 17 July at the Rajiv Gandhi Science Centre (RGSC), Bell Village.

The Aeronautical Society of Mauritius (AeSM), with the support of the Ministry of Education, organised on Monday 17 July, a Prize Giving Ceremony to reward 18 young writers from Secondary Schools across the country. The students, parents and teachers gathered at the Rajiv Gandhi Science Centre (RGSC) at Bell Village to receive their prizes in a joyful atmosphere.

The Aviation Essay Competition was presented by the Aeronautical Society of Mauritius (AeSM) in January to the Ministry of Education's Director for Extra-curricular Activities, Mr. Kelvyn Ng Hong Wing. This year, to the delight of the Society, over 80 essays were submitted for the competition. “It has been a long road which started back in January when the Director Mr. Kelvyn Ng Hong Wing gave his support to our proposal to run this contest, giving me the green light to contact the schools. This was accomplished thanks to the help of the Education Zone Directors and the Private Secondary Education Authority (PSEA). Then, with the support of your schools you all got to work in Grades 7-10 and in Grades 11-12, that is to say in two separate sections with separate prizes to be won. By the deadline date, you had produced over 80 essays.  As Finalists today, you can see how well you have already done,” stated the President of the Aeronautical Society of Mauritius, Richard Twomey in his speech at the event.

The Competition addressed two aviation-related Essay titles namely ‘My Interest in Aviation’, for students in Grades 7-10; and ‘Aviation in 30 Years Time’ for the seniors from Grades 11-12. The rules set a limit of 500 words in each case. The students had to write their essays in English, which is the International Language of Aviation.

The objectives of this contest, as spelled out by Professor Serge Rivière, the Chairman of the Essay Jury during the ceremony, were namely to open the minds of girls and boys to the opportunities of a life in Aviation/Aeronautics, a modern STEM subject and to assist Educators to identify those students who wish to progress in aviation and choose the best combination of subjects to achieve this goal. He also underlined that one of the chief aims of the essay competition was to challenge students’ creative minds and English linguistic skills.

The Essay Jury, composed of Professor Serge Rivière, Dr Amrita Kundomal and Captain Dick Twomey, the President of Aeronautical Society, had a lot on their plate with the numerous well written essays received. The best essays were selected on different criteria namely clarity, grammatical accuracy, presentation, creativity, originality and content. “We were impressed by your earnestness, your research and wide reading, your thoughtfulness and your mastery of structure; and in many cases by your English usage and familiarity with the latest aviation technologies.  Interestingly most of you, when forecasting the future of aviation, majored on electric-powered flight and protection of the environment (Solar Impulse),” stated Professor Serge Rivière at the ceremony.

As a result, 18 best essays were selected for the short-list. 12 Secondary Schools reached the finals, having successfully supported the 18 finalists which included the six winners and Runners up. The prizes in each section, Junior and Senior, were: Rs 3,000 for First Prize, Rs 2,000 Second Prize and Rs 1,000 Third Prize. The six winners also received certificates from the Aeronautical Society and the shortlisted participants and their schools received their Certificates of Achievement.

Professor Serge Rivière also seized the occasion to give some essay writing advice to students. “Do the research;  acknowledge your sources and quote works or web pages consulted; try to use your own words as far as possible; be creative and do not be afraid to say what you think and what you  feel without necessarily using “I think” and “To thine own self be true”, this is your creative work, reflecting your personality.”

The Chief Technical Officer of the Ministry of Education K. Ng Wong Hing also congratulated the winners and had words of encouragement for the participants.  “We should always cultivate a positive attitude, whatever is the outcome of our actions. Your participation in this competition is in itself a reward,” he stated. K. Ng Wong Hing also underlined that the organisation of activities by the AeSM or the Rajiv Gandhi Science Centre gives students the opportunity to understand that “knowledge is not theoretical or bookish but embedded in reality, in life experience and practical applications.”

The Aeronautical Society of Mauritius

The Aeronautical Society was formed in 2013 and currently has some 50 members and six corporate partners, including Air Mauritius and the Rajiv Gandhi Science Centre, among others. The impetus for setting up this new society in Mauritius came from several people who were experienced in the aviation industry, some of whom already had links with the iconic aeronautical society the Royal Aeronautical Society (RAeS). The Aeronautical Society is dedicated to supporting Aviation/Aeronautics including Astronautics, and in Mauritius to improving awareness of these very “IN” sciences.

In the words of its Constitution, the Object of the Aeronautical Society of Mauritius (AeSM) is “to engage in the encouragement and maintenance of excellence in the fields of aviation and aeronautics, leading to the general advancement of Aeronautical Art, Science and Engineering, and more particularly for promoting that sector of knowledge which distinguishes the profession of Aeronautics (which includes Astronautics) in Mauritius and the Indian Ocean area”.

It is widely accepted that existing aviation training establishments in the African Region and indeed worldwide are not enough to cope with the heavy and increasing demands of the future. Thus, high on the list of projects that the Society wishes to promote is the establishment in Mauritius of an Academy (or Academies) to International standards for future aeronautical engineers and pilots, equipping both Mauritian and Overseas successful students with licences based on the requirements of the European Air Safety Agency (EASA). 

‘Junior Aviators’

Motivated by the enthusiasm for the Air which they have noted from recent school competitions, the Aeronautical Society of Mauritius launched a new section of the Society this month.  It is called ‘Junior Aviators’. The AeSM Secretary Anand Kinnoo has already received over 20 applications. In the same line, the first meeting of the Junior Aviator section, which took place at the Rajiv Gandhi Science Centre on Saturday 22 July, was attended by 17 of the applicants.

The AeSM team comprising of Anand Kinnoo, Cyril Belcourt and Richard (Dick) Twomey proposed a list of possible venues of an aviation interest, which could be visited during school holidays: one visit each at Easter and one in July/August, and perhaps two during the long summer break in November/December. The JA members were enthusiastic and added their own ideas to this wish-list, showing  a particularly strong interest in  visiting the Mon Loisir light aircraft airfield (at Belle Vue Maurel);  and in seeing at  the the DCA Area Air Traffic Control Centre and also the Air Mauritius hangars at the airport.
As a start to this programme, a trip to Mon Loisir is now being planned for Saturday 5 August, and all would-be participants will be sent details of meeting place and  transport cost. At the conclusion of the meeting, an Achievement Certificate was presented to each new Junior Aviator by Captain Dick Twomey.

Captain Richard Twomey : “We should encourage and set up a variety of aviation ancillary companies”

Captain Richard Twome, President of the Aeronautical Society of Mauritius, is by training and practice an airline pilot. He made his first ‘Solo’ flight at the age of 19 and has continued to fly until the age of 84, which is three years ago.

Captain Richard Twomey came here to work for Air Mauritius Flight Operations in 1991 and has been in the country ever since. He is married to a Mauritian woman and is the father of twins. He is very proud of his Mauritian family. “Nou coze Kreol tou les zour lacaz! (We speak Kreol everyday at home!),” he tells us. He is currently the President of the Aeronautical Society of Mauritius.

More facilities for pilot and aeronautical engineering training in the island"

Captain Twomey says that he would like to see more facilities for pilot and aeronautical engineering training in the island. “We could benefit from having a Flight Simulator Organisation under MK’s wing; I have a dream to see us building a new General Aviation airfield, the field at Mon Loisir in the North is fully occupied with a successful Sky Dive operation; and we should encourage and set up a variety of aviation ancillary companies so that the enthusiasm that I have observed in the younger generation could be satisfied, by finding... at least for some...compatible jobs without having to emigrate.”

He also wishes to see improvement in the Cambridge syllabus that would help the youth. “The current HSC Physics syllabus takes no account of Fluid Dynamics (which encompasses also Aerodynamics), although I am informed that this branch of Physics used to figure.  Who took it out, and why? Cannot Cambridge see the technological future that we all see? There is work to do, and not only by the AeSM,” he argues.

The retired captain perceives that the future of Aeronautics/Astronautics worldwide is booming. “Did you not note the hundreds of new airliner orders announced at the recent Paris Air Show?  Mauritius has a good airport and its airline MK, soon (November) to receive its first brand-new Airbus A350, the most modern passenger aircraft there is anywhere. In other respects, we could do more.”