SCHOOL pupils experienced a day in the life of a test pilot thanks to the Jon Egging Trust.

A total of 13 youngsters aged 12 and 13 from Bourne Academy in Bournemouth visited Empire Test Pilots’ School at MOD Boscombe Down this month.

They were given the opportunity to sit in an ejector seat, try on night vision goggles and even sit in the cockpit of a jet aeroplane.

The inspirational day marks the beginning of the students' first year of a Blue Skies youth engagement programme, which aims to build teamwork.

The programme is run by the trust in partnership with personnel from QinetiQ, MOD Boscombe Down, RAF Swanwick and Wessex Archaeology.

During the rest of the programme, which continues until June, students will participate in problem solving and communication tasks, which will provide them with credits towards a BTEC qualification in WorkSkills.

Dr Emma Egging, CEO of The Jon Egging Trust, said: "Inspiration is what the trust is all about, and at MOD Boscombe Down, inspiration is there in bucket loads for our young people to benefit from, and they have clearly gained so much from their day.

"We work with inspirational people who support our young people, and help them develop key work and life skills so they can be the best they can be."

Flt Lt Mike Crockford, of MOD Boscombe Down, said: “They are a fantastic group of young people – clearly with loads of potential.

"I’ve really enjoyed working with Blue Skies over the past couple of years. You see amazing progress in the students as they go through the programme. It’s so great to watch them start working together as a team, gaining confidence and really believing in themselves.”

The Jon Egging Trust was set up in memory of Red Arrows pilot Jon Egging, who lost his life on August 20 2011 whilst completing a display at the Bournemouth Air Festival. The charity realises his dream of helping young people overcome adversity, identify their strengths and work towards their ambitions.

The Blue Skies Programme is now established in Lincolnshire, Norfolk, Yorkshire and Anglesey, as well as Dorset, with almost 200 students participating in the initiative this year.

In 2014 the charity launched its Inspirational Outreach scheme, which will reach out to an additional 1,000 young people in each of the five regions every year.