College student from Cheshire develops app that could help RAF pilots

Freddie Robinson (left) is congratulated by Dr James Kuht MBE after winning the national competition

A college student from Cheshire has created an app that could help RAF pilots. Freddie Robinson, 17, from Warrington has won a national competition to create a software that could revolutionise the way air forces operate.

Freddie, a student at Priestley College, created a mobile app that would help RAF pilots divert course if they needed to find a new landing location. Freddie, a former Birchwood Community High pupil, won £1,000 and is to receive a private flight simulator lesson with Squadron Leader Pete Kennedy, also from Warrington.

He has also been offered work experience with a London AI firm, Faculty AI, represented on the judging panel, who were impressed with his work. The competition was set by Inversity, a firm that set up by two veterans that puts real world problems to students for them to solve.

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Freddie, who hopes to become a pilot, said: “It was a wonderful opportunity college has afforded me and I am really looking forward to the simulation.”

Freddie’s app responded to the question: ‘From Computer to Cockpit – how can software change how Air Forces operate?’, set by Sqn Ldr Kennedy, a decorated RAF pilot. Priestley tutor Laura Phillips, who encouraged Freddie to take part, said: “It has been such a proud moment to see Freddie rewarded for what was an incredible entry in the challenge.”

Dr James Kuht MBE, co-founder of Inversity, said: “We hope this accelerates Freddie’s journey into a great career and that many more Priestley students benefit from the scheme too.”

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