Former Newbury College student’s career takes flight

Luke Penny with the Skyport drones. Image: Newbury College

Submitted by Newbury College

Luke Penny, a former student at Newbury College, in Newbury, Berkshire is helping to redefine the term “air mail” as he takes his career as a flight operations engineer to new heights with Skyports.

Luke and his colleagues were deployed to Scotland as Skyports teamed up with Royal Mail to make the UK’s first drone package delivery. Royal Mail said it was the first step in its drone programme, which is aimed at making it easier to serve rural locations. The team will be re-deployed again in the new year to deliver medical supplies to some of the UK’s most remote islands.

Luke’s chosen programme of study at Newbury College was Creative Media Production, and he graduated in summer 2020. His passion for drone photography was encouraged by course leader, Julian Bellmont, who said: “Luke was always a very keen and enthusiastic student. He was able to use his creativity to solve problems and come up with some innovative work.”

Luke got in touch with the college to pass on his thanks for “preparing him for the workplace.” This preparation included in-house projects and work experience opportunities, such as his placement at Tech Camp, one of the UK’s leading hands-on coding, engineering and design summer camps.

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