Zimpapers Logo

Conrad Mupesa Mashonalad West Bureau

ZIMBABWEAN-BORN aerospace engineer and associate lecturer at the Netherlands’ Delft University of Technology (TU Delft) has successfully designed and tested a futuristic energy-efficient aircraft in a project supported by the airline companies KLM Royal Dutch Airlines and Airbus.

The young engineer, Daniel Atherstone attended Lomagundi College in Chinhoyi from 1997 to 2009.

According to the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation TV (ZBCTV), Atherstone is a key member of a team that has built the new-shape aeroplane called the Flying-V.

The Flying-V is a highly energy-efficient long-distance aeroplane that is V-shaped with passengers seating in the wings of the aircraft.

“Designers say that this will make it lighter and more aerodynamic,” reports the ZBCTV.

Daniel left Lomagundi College at the end of 2009 after scoring 15 points at Advanced Level in Technical Drawing, Maths and Physics. He enrolled for a Bachelor’s Degree in Aerospace Engineering at the Delft University of Technology.

He did his internship at Airbus Helicopters in Germany.

“Daniel was specifically tasked with designing and building the detailed structure of the model in a well-funded project that has an 18-member strong team.”

The Southern African Development Community region is also represented by Malcolm Brown, a young engineer who was born and raised in South Africa.