An unusual but winning collaboration of an international rock star, the UK aviation industry and local media students resulted in an educational safety video that was launched this week and already has You Tube success of 30,000 hits.

The Foundation Degree TV Production students from Exeter College were commissioned to produce the training video ‘Safety in the Balance’ as part of a joint initiative between the Civil Aviation Authority and UK Aviation industry and found themselves working face to face with legendary Iron Maiden star Bruce Dickinson.

“We were approached by the CAA who had seen the work we’d completed for Flybe”, said Atila Mustafa the College’s TV and Video Production curriculum adviser, “They wanted us to produce a training video that could be used across the aviation industry in the UK and abroad promoting the importance of improving safety standards. Since the course at College is heavily focused on commercial experience we were delighted to take up the challenge.”

The project, started in 2010, was filmed at a number of airports and used as many aircraft types as possible to ensure that it has a universal appeal to the industry. And heading up the video was Bruce Dickinson, who hung up his rock star image and reverted to his role as an Astraeus Airlines Captain and qualified Crew Resource Management Instructor.

Toby Morgan, media student said “Working with a global superstar was a daunting prospect but we needn’t have worried.” Daniel Wiseman from Exeter noted that “This was one of the most challenging and rewarding projects I’ve worked on and it was fantastic working on such a high profile film and to deliver such an important message.”

The project gave the media students a real insight into how things come together and how media projects evolve. Atila commented “Bruce Dickinson was a real pro and a natural teacher. He shared his knowledge with the students willingly and was very patient as the students set up shots. The CAA Aircraft Loading Inspector and focal point of the project, Jason Sandever, oversaw the project keeping everyone on their toes, demanding outstanding quality and attention to details – we wish all producers were like him.”

Kirsten Riensema, Chair of the Ground Handling Operations Safety Team which is committed to developing strategies to reduce the safety risks from aircraft ground handling and ground support activities said “Loading errors account for a significant number of safety incidents reported to the CAA” Aviation organisations are being encouraged to make the video required viewing for a wide range of personnel including dispatch personnel, airline management and flight deck and cabin crew.

Lesley Ross from Newton Abbot completed the project saying it was “a fantastic collaborative project between organisations, companies, colleagues, students, staff, clients and rock stars”.