A FORMER RAF officer is seeking youngsters who want to fly up, up and away ... with their own paper aeroplanes.

The budding aviators will get the chance to demonstrate their skills on Thursday (July 26) as part of a free Family Funday at Dawson’s Field on the A62 Huddersfield Road at Scouthead.

Cllr Rob Knotts, chair of Saddleworth Parish Council, spent 33 years in the Royal Air Force and worked in the civil aerospace industry and a university lecturer but has always had an interest in planes.

Now, as part of the fun and games on the day, there will be an opportunity to build and fly the paper versions.

He said: “It should be great fun and the idea is to see which aeroplane will fly the longest, furthest and with most accuracy.

“So we are saying to the would-be pilots get your thinking caps on and come along to the Funday. Materials will be available - so it’s onward and upwards.

“There are even tiny engines on the market now to help propel the craft and some can be controlled by smart phone technology. It could be very stimulating.”

The history of paper aeroplanes has been lost in time, said the councillor, but it’s widely accepted their roots lay in China because of the first flying kites.

“But in about 1779, George Cayley, an Englishman, discovered and identified the four forces that allow an aeroplane to fly,” he said.

“They are lift, drag, weight and thrust - the force needed to move an aircraft through the air. His discovery revolutionised the pursuit for human flight.

“In the late 19th century, aviation pioneers tested their ideas with paper models to confirm theories before putting them into practice with larger, heavier craft.

“Nowadays paper aeroplanes are used in the classroom to demonstrate aerodynamic principles. They also attract many enthusiasts throughout the world who design, make and fly them in competitions,” he added.

Entry is free to Scouthead and Austerlands community group Family Funday which runs from 11am to 3pm.

There will be a galaxy of traditional side stalls, a bounce zone, cue ball crazy, clay bugs, tombola, cake and bottle stalls, a ukulele band, funky fitness, food, refreshments and ice cream.

The mayor of Oldham, Cllr Javid Iqbal, will attend and the event is supported by the Saddleworth and Lees District executive and Saddleworth Parish Council.