An engineer with a lifelong love of flying is spreading his wings into the world of business, after stepping in to secure the future of Britain’s only manufacturer of hang gliders.
Tim Swait saved Avian Hang Gliders (
www.avianonline.co.uk), which manufactures gliders at Bradwell in the Peak District, after former owner Steve Elkin decided to ‘hang up his goggles’. The Sheffield-based engineer developed a love for everything aeronautical as a child, devoting his evenings and weekends to carefully crafting model planes and flying
remote-control aircraft.
After gaining a Master’s degree in Aerospace Engineering and a PhD in Composites Materials, he secured a job at the University of Sheffield’s Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) (
www.amrc.co.uk), where he worked with companies such as Airbus, Boeing and Rolls-Royce.
Moving from a secure job into the unknown was not without risk, as Mr Swait had never run a company before and needed to raise the vital funds to secure the future of the business.
On the recommendation of some business-minded friends, he contacted Launchpad, Sheffield City Region Growth Hub’s key business support programme.
With help from an experienced business advisor, he was able to navigate his way through the first few months of running the business, and get the support he needed by taking part in training workshops and one-to-one sessions.
He also ran an innovative crowdfunding campaign that enabled fellow hang gliding enthusiasts to secure vouchers against future purchases; within 90 days, he secured the finance needed to make his business dreams a reality, and he has taken his business to new heights.
He said: “I was fortunate enough to work with Steve Elkin while I was still at the AMRC, which is when he offered me the chance to take over running the business.
“I saw it as a golden opportunity to combine my engineering skills with a sport I love, and I knew the hang gliders well: my first was an Avian Rio.
“However, I knew it would be a journey with its fair share of risks.”
Supported by the European Regional Development Fund and delivered by local authorities within the Sheffield City Region and the Prince’s Trust, the Launchpad programme provides free help and support to budding entrepreneurs who are thinking of starting their own business or have started trading in the last two years.