Darcy-Hennemann will also recognize other centennial anniversary milestones involving women aviators on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean to highlight the passion that drives every aviator – the challenge of the perceived impossible and the poetry of the aircraft.

Recorded: 8 December 2011

About the speaker:

CAPT. SUZANNA DARCY-HENNEMANN

Chief Pilot – Director of Training
Training and Flight Services – Boeing Commercial Airplanes

Capt. Suzanna Darcy-Hennemann was named Chief Pilot – Director of Training for Boeing Training and Flight Services in October of 2008.  She is responsible for Flight Training operations in 20 campuses globally.

Darcy-Hennemann was named chief pilot for the 777 program in January 2007.  Responsible for engineering flight-test activities related to all Boeing 777 airplane models, including working with Engineering on the design requirements for future 777 derivatives.
Prior to her current assignment, Darcy-Hennemann served as Senior Engineering 777 Pilot.  She has been an integral member of the 777 Program since its inception, contributing to the design, testing and certification of the initial airplane, new derivatives and added features and technologies of the award-winning Boeing widebody.
Darcy-Hennemann’s contributions to the 777 Program include the following:

• Between May and December of 2005, led the overall flight-test program for certification of the 777-200LR (Longer Range).
• In November 2005, served as project pilot leader when the 777-200LR set a world record for distance traveled nonstop by a commercial jetliner.
• In 2003, tested the GE 90-115B engine on the 777-300ER (Extended Range), with lead responsibility for the No. 2 airplane.
• In 2003, led the development and launch of the Boeing electronic flight bag for the 777, which was the first step in making the airplane fully
• e-enabled.
• Between 1994 and 1996, did extensive work supporting the 777’s original certification testing, including serving as lead pilot on the final Boeing 777-200 to enter flight testing. In this capacity, she was responsible for the Rolls-Royce-powered 777′s 1,000-cycle validation program – the equivalent of at least a year’s worth of typical airline service – in the United States, Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok, Singapore, Australia and New Zealand.

Darcy-Hennemann became rated as a captain on the Boeing 747-400 in 1989, and later achieved captain status on the 737, 757, 767 and 777 jetliners and was the first woman to Captain the 777 and 747-400.  Previously she was also an Instructor on the 737, 757/767 747-400 and 777 as well.
She joined Boeing in 1974 and spent her initial years in Engineering.

Outside of work, Darcy-Hennemann is a member of the Society of Experimental Test Pilots and served as a guest speaker and participant in many industry and community forums, including: the Royal Aeronautical Society’s Seattle Branch, the GE Lecture Series at the Smithsonian, the Flight Safety Foundation Approach and Landing Accident Reduction Operations Team, and the NASA Goddard Engineering Colloquium.  She also mentor’s college students and Boeing employees, feeling with so much opportunity in her career, the need to give back in return.

Darcy-Hennemann’s awards include Outstanding Alumni Aeronautics and Astronautics Engineering and Outstanding Engineering Alumni – University of Washington as well as “100 of 100” – the top 100 graduates of the University of Washington, celebrating the University’s 100th anniversary.  She received the Women in Aerospace Outstanding Leadership Award in 2000 as well as the Laurels Award for Leadership from Aviation Week that same year.  She was also honored with a tree in her name in the 99’s Forrest of Friendship.  In 2005 she led the team that broke a long standing record for distance in a 777-200LR going from Hong Kong to London.  This flight not only holds the distance record for the National Aeronautic Society (NAA) but also two speed records in that flight.  The flight is also a Guinness World Book of Records. In 2006 Darcy-Hennemann won the Katherine and Marjorie Stinson Award from the NAA.  In February of 2010, Darcy-Hennemann was inducted into the Pioneer Hall of Fame for Women in Aviation International as well as a Pathfinder at the Museum of Flight.

Darcy-Hennemann graduated from the University of Washington in 1981 with a Bachelor of Science degree in aeronautics and astronautics engineering. She and her husband reside in the Puget Sound region of Washington State.

This lecture recognises the background and distinguished work of Frederick William Lanchester, and notes that Dr John E Lamar’s background has similarities with his, especially parts of his research in aeronautics and vortices. John’s work spans the time-frame from America’s Super Sonic Transport through 2009. An early emphasis involved wind-tunnel testing of research aircraft models and the development of computer codes for subsonic aerodynamics of wing planforms. These attached-flow codes were applied to various confi gurations, including those with variablesweep, dihedral, and more than one planform in both the analysis – and design-modes. These codes were used to provide a connection between leading-edge-forces and the associated additional lift on delta-wings with shed-vortex systems through the leading-edge suction analogy of Edward C. Polhamus. Subsequently, John extended the suction analogy to confi gurations with side-edges to predict the vortical-flow aerodynamics on complex confi gurations, including wing-strake combinations. These analysis codes could also be used in a design-by-analysis mode for configurations with leading-edge shed vortices. Later, I was involved in vortical-flow flight research with the F-106B and the F-16XL aircraft at cruise and maneuver conditions. Associated CFD predictions, generated by me and other members of the RTO/AVT-113 task group, have increased our understanding of the flight fl ow-physics measured on the F-16XL aircraft

Recorded: September 20, 2011

About the speaker:

DR JOHN E LAMAR

LAMAR ENGINEERING CONSULTANTSHIP

Dr John E Lamar holds a BS and a MS in Aeronautical Engineering from the University of Alabama as well as a PhD from Virginia Tech. He has authored or co-authored over 110 papers and is an Associate Fellow of the AIAA. John began his career at NASA Langley Research Center in 1963 where he performed numerous duties including the Von Karman Lecturer, the Principal Investigator in three flight projects on the F-106B and F-16XL and has performed analytical, computational and experimental (wind-tunnel and fl ight) fluid dynamics. In 1983, John received the AIAA Aerodynamics Award and in 1989-1990 was the National Space Club’s Dr Hugh L Dryden Memorial Fellow. In addition, he Co-Chaired RTO/AVT-113, a part of the scientifi c arm of NATO from 2003-2008. John retired from NASA Langley in January 2006 to establish his engineering consulting company but was the Distinguished Research Associate until 2009. Both during his time, and NASA and since, he has lectured at various universities, companies and governmental research laboratories in USA & Europe. In 2009, John jointly shared the AIAA International Cooperation Award with Prof Hummel.

Recorded: June 16, 2011

About the speaker:

George N Tompkins

Of Counsel, Wilson Elser Moskowitz Edelman & Dicker, Llp

George Tompkins has been trial and appellate counsel in numerous major aviation accident cases and other “high profile” and precedent-setting cases and has represented numerous airlines on instructions of liability insurers in over 60 major air crash disasters. He is a frequent speaker and lecturer at professional meetings, conferences and law schools throughout the world. Numerous articles of his have been published in legal periodicals worldwide. George was Editor of The Aviation Quarterly, published by Lloyds of London Press (LLP), from its inception in 1996 until publication ceased in 2000. He was Editor of Lloyd’s Aviation Law, a bi-weekly newsletter published by LLP from 1982 until publication ceased in 1996. His treatise on “Liability Rules Applicable to International Air Transportation as Developed by the Courts in the United States – From Warsaw 1929 to Montreal 1999”, was published by Kluwer Law International in 2010. George now serves on the Board of Editors of Air & Space Law, published by Kluwer Law International in The Hague.

This Lecture event was sponsored by:

Recorded: June 8, 2011

About the speaker:

JOHN FARLEY OBE AFC

John Farley did his engineering training as an apprentice at the Royal Aircraft Establishment Farnborough before joining the RAF for pilot training in 1955. After flying Hunters with 4 Squadron, in Germany, he was a flying instructor at the RAF College Cranwell before joining the Empire Test Pilot’s School course in 1963. Following a distinguished pass he joined the RAE Aerodynamics Research Flight at Bedford. During this tour he flew all the UK research aircraft then flying. As RAE project pilot on the P1127 prototype in 1964, he started 19 years of Harrier related test flying moving from the RAE to join Dunsfold from where he retired as Chief Test Pilot.
John has flown over 80 aircraft types, fixed and rotary wing. In 1990 he became the first western test pilot invited by the Russians to fly the Mig-29 and later participated with Lockheed as a JSF Red Team member prior to the first flight of the X-35B. He retired from test piloting in 1999 but continues to consult on flight test programmes.

Today Airbus looks forward another 40 years to 2050 and beyond, discussing the anticipated global needs of a better connected and more sustainable world.

In 40 or 50 years time, will the world be very different from today? What will have changed on our planet and can we predict this future? What will the world of air travel look like in the future, and most importantly what direct benefits will it bring?

As well as investigating some of the answers to these questions Charles Champion, Executive Vice President of Engineering will look at the engineering developments at Airbus that will bring these ideas to fruition.

Recorded: 7th December 2010

About the speaker:

Charles Champion

Executive Vice President of Engineering, Airbus SAS

Charles Champion began his professional career in 1980 with Aérospatiale as an engineer in aerodynamics. He was in charge of the single-aisle aircraft final assembly lines from 1988 to 1992. In 1993, he was promoted to Director of Airbus Programmes at Aérospatiale’s headquarters in Paris. He returned to Toulouse in 1995 as Managing Director of the Future Large Aircraft (FLA) military transport project, now launched as the A400M, starting a new business for Airbus in the military field. From 1999 until end 2000, he held the position of Product Executive for Airbus Single Aisle Programme, before being appointed Head of the A380 programme, until the successful certification of the A380 in 2006. From 2007 to April 2010, Charles was Executive Vice President in charge of Customer Services, responsible for the support of all Airbus Aircraft around the world and for the development of services for Airbus customers.
Charles was appointed Executive Vice President Engineering in April 2010. In this role he is responsible for research & technology, overall product architecture and concept development, the design office, integration & flight-testing and continued product airworthiness as well as coordinating the engineering direction of Airbus transnationally. In this new position, Charles continues to be a member of the Airbus Executive Committee since his appointment to the committee in 2007.

This Lecture event was sponsored by:

Recorded: July 6, 2011

About the speaker:

Carolyn McCall OBE

Chief Executive Officer, easyJet

Carolyn joined easyJet on 1 July 2010 as Chief Executive. Prior to this, she was Chief Executive of Guardian Media Group plc.
Carolyn was a Non Executive Director of Lloyds TSTSB from 2008 to 2009, Non Executive Director of Tesco Plc from 2005 to 2008 and Non Executive Director of New Look from 1999 to 2005. She was Chair of Opportunity Now and a former President of Women in Advertising and Communications London (WACL).
Carolyn was awarded the OBE for services to women in business in June 2008. In April 2008, she was named Veuve Clicquot Business Woman of the Year.
She graduated from Kent University with a BA in History and Politics and from London University with a Masters in Politics.
This Lecture event was sponsored by:

The Royal Aeronautical Society offered a unique opportunity to meet the few surviving women pilots who ferried every type of military aircraft during World War II, including fighters, huge four-engine bombers and the first British jet-engine aeroplane.

The seminar celebrated the achievements of the ATA ladies whilst giving a historical overview. To listen to the Spitfire Women themselves about their memories of these extraordinary times and their experiences, please click below.

Clare Walker, Chairman, Women in Aviation & Aerospace Committee, RAeS sets the scene as the first speaker in this blog. She is closely followed by Richard Poad, Chairman, Maidenhead Heritage Trust who tells the story of the Women Ferry Pilots. President Lee Balthazor introduces the session.

The second blog is introduced by Clare Walker and the speaker is Squadron Leader Tony Iveson, Bomber Command Association. Squadron Leader Iveson tell’s the story of the Women Ferry Pilots from a Pilots perspective.

The final instalment is from the ATA ladies themselves. Listen to Joy Lofthouse share her personal experiences of flying and Mary Ellis’s account of events. Molly Rose and Maggie Frost join in a question and answer session at the end of the session hosted by Captain David Rowland.

Recorded: 20 May 2011
This Lecture event was sponsored by:

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This Named Lecture looks ahead to the first deliveries of the 787 and 747-8, talk about the challenges of increasing production rates and addressing environmental imperatives, before describing some of the lessons learned as Boeing evaluates future airplane programs.

The Sopwith Lecture was established in 1990 to honour Sir Thomas Sopwith CBE, Hon FRAeS. In the years prior to World War I, Sopwith became England’s premier aviator and established the first authoritative test pilot school in the world, he also founded England’s first major flight school. Between 1912 and 1920 Sopwith’s Company produced over 16,000 aircraft of 60 types.

2011 Sopwith Named Lecture

Recorded: 15 June 2011

Click the above link to download or listen to the full lecture

About the Speaker

James F Albaugh FRAeS

Executive Vice President, The Boeing Company
President & CEO, Boeing Commercial Airplanes

Jim F. Albaugh (photo: Boeing)

Jim Albaugh is executive vice president of The Boeing Company and president and chief executive officer of Boeing Commercial Airplanes. He is responsible for all of the company’s commercial airplanes programs and related services. Named to this position effective Sept. 1, 2009, Albaugh, 60, is a member of the Boeing Executive Council and serves as Boeing’s senior executive in the Pacific Northwest.
Prior to his current position, Albaugh was president and CEO of Boeing Integrated Defense Systems, a business unit providing integrated solutions to defense, space and intelligence customers in the United States and around the world. Previously, Albaugh was president and CEO of Boeing Space and Communications, a unit that merged in July 2002 with the company’s Military Aircraft and Missiles Systems unit to create Integrated Defense Systems.
Albaugh also served as president of Boeing Space Transportation and president of Rocketdyne Propulsion & Power, part of the Rockwell aerospace and defense businesses acquired by Boeing in 1996. Albaugh joined the company in 1975 as a project engineer at its Hanford, Wash., operations.
Albaugh is a Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society and the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, an elected member of the International Academy of Astronautics, and chairman of the Aerospace Industries Association, a U.S. trade association.
A Washington state native, Albaugh holds bachelor’s degrees in mathematics and physics from Willamette University and a master’s degree in civil engineering from Columbia University.

This Lecture event was sponsored by:

The 2011 Handley Page Lecture was organised jointly by the Royal Aeronautical Society and Cranfield College of Aeronautics Alumni Association and was given by Dougie Hunter of the ARA.

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Sir Frederick Handley Page was one of the greatest figures in British Aviation. He created his company in 1909 and led it for more than half a century until his death in 1962. He was both a Past President of the Royal Aeronautical Society, and Chairman of the Board of Governors of the College of Aeronautics.
The Cranfield Society and the Royal Aeronautical Society both wished to honour his memory by creating the Handley Page Memorial Lecture and decided to do this in partnership, with the lecture being organised and delivered in alternate years at Cranfield and Hamilton Place.
The first Handley Page Memorial Lecture was delivered by HRH The Duke of Edinburgh at the then Cranfield College of Aeronautics on 21st May 1963. The title of his lecture was “Education for Technology.”
In recent years the Cranfield involvement has continued under the aegis of the Cranfield College of Aeronautics Alumni Association who are pleased to support the lecture and the reception.

Dougie Hunter describes the development of the Aircraft Research Association (ARA) and focus on some of the technology developed by ARA. In addition, the podcast outlines some of the programmes that have been worked on by ARA, before describing the current status of the ARA technology and the developments planned for the near future.

2011 Handley Page Lecture

Recorded: 27 April 2011

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About the speaker:

Dougie Hunter

CEO, Aircraft Research Association

Dougie Hunter joined ARA as the Chief Executive Office in August 2007. Mr Douglas Hunter, B.Sc., M.Sc. Dougie was educated at Dundee and Cranfield Institutes of Technology, where he studied Mechanical Engineering and Aerospace Design, respectively. He joins ARA having held senior positions within BAE SYSTEMS and Airbus, most recently as Chief Engineer for the A350.

Networking Drinks Reception sponsored by:

and

Royal Aeronautical Society Named Lectures

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The lecture is in three parts: 747-8, 787 and a small section on common type rating between the 787 and 777.  Capt Santoni relates his personal experiences on the types of testing shown as he has either participated in the actual test or has done similar flights on other models.

Boeing Flight Test Update on the 747-8 and 787

(If the audio player does not appear below, click the above link to download the lecture recording)

Recorded: February 1, 2011

About the speaker:

Capt Frank Santoni

Chief Test Pilot, Boeing Commercial Airplanes & Boeing Test & Evaluation

Capt Frank Santoni is Chief Test Pilot for Boeing Commercial Airplanes and Boeing Test & Evaluation. In this position, Santoni leads a team of test pilots, systems operators and support staff who are responsible for test flights for all new and derivative airplane models.  His team is also responsible for overseeing the flight operational safety, training and flight procedures development for all Boeing aircraft.
Frank previously held the dual role of Director of Flight Operations and Chief Test Pilot.  Prior to this he was Chief Test Pilot for the 777 Program, a position he held since 1996. Santoni was involved in the 777 Program since its inception. During the design and test phase of the 777 development his assignments included: Chief Pilot during certification and testing of the 777-300ER, 777-300, and 777 GE engine programs. He was also lead pilot for the first 777 around-the-world record flight.
Frank joined the Boeing Flight Test organization in 1980 as a production pilot and has conducted Boeing and customer acceptance flights on all Boeing airplanes. In 1989, he became a senior engineering test pilot. Santoni is rated to fly the 727, 737, 747, 747-400, 757, 767, 777, A320, T-33 and CE500 airplanes.  He is also currently flying the 787 and 747-8 during the Certification Test Programs on each of these airplanes.
Prior to joining Boeing, Santoni was a U.S. Navy pilot. His experience includes flying attack A-4 and A-6 aircraft on the USS Kitty Hawk.
He is a member of the Society of Experimental Test Pilots and a Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society.
Frank holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Aerospace Engineering from University of Maryland, and a Master of Science degree in Aeronautical Systems from the University of West Florida. He is married with three children, and his hobbies include tennis, skiing, travel and gardening.

Piers Sellers talks about his most recent space flight, STS-132. The space shuttle Atlantis was launched to the International Space Station (ISS) with a crew of six on 14th May 2010. This was the third Shuttle flight for astronaut Piers Sellers who will describe how after docking with the ISS, the crew installed a new 8-tonne Russian module, carried out three spacewalks and completed some repair work to the ISS.

2010 Wilbur and Orville Wright Lecture

Recorded: December 9, 2010

Click the above link to download or listen to the full lecture

About the speaker:

Dr Piers Sellers, NASA Astronaut

Dr Piers Sellers, NASA Astronaut

Piers J Sellers was born on 11 April 1955 in Crowborough, Sussex, UK. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in ecological science from the University of Edinburgh in 1976, and a Doctorate in biometeorology from Leeds University in 1981.

Before joining the astronaut corps, Piers has worked on research into how the Earth’s Biosphere and Atmosphere interact. His work involved computer modelling of the climate system, satellite remote sensing studies and field work utilizing aircraft, satellites and ground teams in places such as Kansas, Russia, Africa, Canada and Brazil.

Selected as an astronaut candidate by NASA in April 1996, Piers reported to the NASA Johnson Space Center in August 1996. He completed two years of training and evaluation and was initially assigned technical duties in the Astronaut Office Computer Support Branch, followed by service in the Astronaut Office Space Station Branch. During that time, Piers worked part time in Moscow as a technical liaison on ISS computer software. Since then, Piers has served as branch chief for the ISS Operations Branch of the Astronaut Office, among other duties.

Piers is a veteran of three space flights. The first, STS-112 Atlantis (7-18 Oct 2002), was an International Space Station assembly mission accomplished in 170 orbits, travelling 4.5 million miles in 10 days, 19 hours, and 58 minutes. The next, STS-121 (4-17 July 2006), was a return-to-flight test mission and assembly flight to the International Space Station accomplished in 12 days, 18 hours, 37 minutes and 54 seconds. His most recent flight, STS-132 Atlantis (14-26 May 2010), was launched from the Kennedy Space Center, Florida, and docked with the International Space Station to deliver an Integrated Cargo Carrier and a Russian-build Mini Research Module. This mission was completed in 186 orbits, travelling 4,879,978 miles in 11 days, 18 hours, 28 minutes and 2 seconds.

Piers has logged a total of 34 days, 23 hours, 03 minutes and 56 seconds in space, including almost 41 EVA hours in six spacewalks.

Robinson also provides a brief history and overview of his engineering approach with regards to the r22, R44 and R66 helicopters as well as his thoughts on how helicopters should evolve in the future.

2010 Cierva lecture

Recorded: Tuesday 5th October 2010

Click the above link to download or listen to the full lecture

About the speaker:

Frank Robinson

President & Chief Executive, Robinson Helicopter Company

Frank Robinson aimed his education specifically at helicopter design, receiving his BSME degree from the University of Washington in 1957, with graduate work in aeronautical engineering at the University of Wichita.

Robinson began his career in 1957 at Cessna Aircraft Company working on the cH-1 Skyhook four-place helicopter. After 3 1/2 years at Cessna, he spent one year at Umbaugh and 4 1/2 years at McCulloch Motor Company doing design studies on in expensive rotorcraft. Robinson then worked at Kaman Aircraft for 1 year on gyrodyne-type rotorcraft, followed by 2 years in R&D at Bell Helicopter where he earned a reputation as a “tail rotor expert.” In 1969, he moved to Hughes Helicopter Company.

Unable to interest any of his employers in his own concept for a small, low-cost helicopter, Robinson resigned from Hughes in 1973 and founded Robinson Helicopter Company (RHC). RHC’s first business address was Robinson’s home where the two-seat R22 helicopter was designed. The first R22 prototype was built at the Torrance Airport, and Robinson himself flew it on its first flight in august 1975. After 31/2 years of testing and technical analysis, the R22 received its FAA Type Certificate in 1979. The first production R22 was delivered in 1979, and the R22 son became the world’s top selling civil helicopter.

In the mid-1980s, Robinson and his staff of engineers began development of the four-seat R44 helicopter, which he flew on its first flight in March of 1990. FAA certification was received in 1992, and production deliveries began in 1993.

Robinson is an experienced helicopter pilot and flies the r22 and R44 helicopters regularly for personal and business purposes, including experimental test flying. His accomplishments have been recognised with numerous, prestigious awards and honours presented by a variety of different organizations.

Robinson remains active in his company and continues to refine the R22 and R44 to enhance performance and reduce maintenance requirements. Recent improvements include the powerful, fuel-injected R44 Raven i. Today, Robinson directs the company’s development of its first turbine helicopter, the five-place R66. The R66 made its first flight in August 2007, and is undergoing flight testing and FAA certification.

This Lecture event was sponsored by:

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Drawing upon Boeing’s experience in developing and operating sea-going, landbased, aerial and space-based unmanned systems, Darryl Davis, President of Boeing’s Phantom Works will discuss pervious eras of intense innovation within the aerospace industry on how lessons learned from the past might be applied to the opportunities of today.

2010, Sopwith Lecture

Recorded: June 2010

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About the speaker:

David Koopersmith

Vice President, Advanced Boeing Military Aircraft

David Koopersmith is vice president of Advanced Boeing Military Aircraft. He is responsible for leading the Advanced Military Aircraft business element of Phantom Works in Boeing Defense, Space & Security (BDS). Advanced Boeing Military Aircraft is chartered with creating, shaping, capturing, maturing and transitioning new business opportunities to the Boeing Military Aircraft business unit.

Prior to this position, Koopersmith was vice president and program manager of the X- 45 UAS programs for BDS. He was responsible for leading Boeing’s X-45A, X-45C and X-45N team in creating survivable, autonomous, long-range unmanned systems for the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, U.S. Air Force and U.S. Navy.

Previously, Koopersmith was general manager for the C-130 Avionics Modernization Program (AMP). He has more than 30 years of program management, engineering, business development and production experience on numerous military aircraft programs including the AV-8B Harrier II and F/A-18E/F Super Hornet. During his F/A- 18E/F assignment, he received the Excellence in Acquisition Award by the United States Navy Program Executive Office for Tactical Aircraft (TACAIR).

The Adv BMA vice president holds a bachelor’s degree in aeronautical engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. He is a member of American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) and International Council on Systems Engineering (INCOSE).

This Lecture event was sponsored by:

Despite the negative impact this crisis had on our industry, it also brought a positive perspective to our way of doing business. We enhanced our Customer engagement and involvement in their business success, we focused more than ever before on their needs by differentiating the “Must Have” from the “Nice to Have” and also strengthened our relationships for the long term.

It has also opened a field of opportunities that will allow us to be part of the growth as we all have a role to play in supporting a suffering aviation industry and economy as a whole for a sustainable future upturn.

2010 EDWIN A LINK LECTURE

Recorded: Thursday 10 June 2010

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About the speaker:

Marion Broughton

Vice President Avionics, Training and Simulation, Thales UK

Click for full image (large)

After gaining a degree in Physics/Electronics Marion Broughton joined Racal Avionics on their Graduate Programme. She started her career in Production and Materials management before moving into IT working on business systems and business analysis. She initiated a Product Support Organisation in Racal Defence. When Thales acquired Racal she took the position of Customer Support Director. Since then she has worked in civil and military customer services and in 2004 she was appointed Customer Services VP for the Aerospace Division, with responsibility for Military Customer Services in France and the UK.

Marion became Managing Director of the Thales Training and Simulation business in the UK in 2008. The UK Business provides civil and military fixed wing simulations and training suites to customers worldwide and is directly responsible for UK RAF fixed and rotary training services on 10 RAF and Army bases in the UK, which includes developing and building satellite communications for aircraft and secure communication products for helicopter and fixed wing, and leveraging the Thales Avionics portfolio into the UK.

Marion spent six months running Thales Air Systems Division in the UK before returning to Training and Simulation in March 2010 with the added responsibility for Thales Avionics in the UK. She has responsibility for the Thales business in the South East – 2400 people and a state of the art new development in Crawley.

Lecture Recorded: June 2010

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Today’s global commercial helicopter operations take place over hositle seas, deserts and jungles in many countries around the world and the high level of success obtained when operating rotorcraft in these environments owes much to the extraordinary vision and entreprenural spirit of Alan Bristow.

Click for full image. Use < and > keys to scroll the gallery

The central theme of the memorial lecture is to celebrate Alan’s lifetime and achievements at the forefront of developing global commercial helicopter operations, whilst working in many inhospitable places around the world.

Three people closely associated with Alan over the years will speak about the colourful legacy of a man who was undoubtedly a real pioneer in the global helicopter community. They are Patrick Malone, the co-author of Alan’s Autobiography, who will cover the early years of his life, military service, flying experience, business exploits and career achievements.  John Black, a long serving Bristow Senior Captain, and Managing Pilot will highlight the vision and leadership that built Bristow Helicopters into a leading international helicopter company. And finally, Stephen Bond one of Alan’s main competitors for many years, will reflect on the major part Alan played in laying the foundation of today’s international commercial helicopter operations.

Alan Bristow Memorial Lecture

Recorded: Wednesday 14th April 2010

Click the above link to download or listen to the full lecture

About the speaker:

Captain John Black

Captain John Black is currently the Secretary and Treasurer of the European Helicopter Operators committee.  A former Army officer and pilot, John has over thirty years experience as managing Pilot and Head of Worldwide Flight Operations working for Bristow Helicopters in Nigeria, Egypt, Iran and the UK.

About the speaker:

Stephen Bond

Stephen Bond is Group Chairman and joint owner with his brother Peter of the Bond Aviation Group which operates a fleet of 10 Super Pumas, 19 EC135s and 7 BO105 helicopters throughout the UK.  Additionally, Stephen is also a substantial shareholder and director of Loganair, Scotland’s regional airline and Alliance Airlines, a jet and turbo prop charter operator in Australia.

About the speaker:

Patrick Malone

Patrick Malone is a writer and a helicopter pilot. As a journalist he has worked on newspapers as diverse as the Sydney Sun, New York Post, Observer and Sunday Times, later working as a news desk executive on the Mail on Sunday and the Evening Standard.

This Lecture event was sponsored by:

The advent of a pan-European legislative structure for the regulation of aviation medical assessments in Europe is an exciting and challenging prospect. The objective of improving flight safety for the citizens of Europe by the harmonisation of medical standards is laudable and well supported.

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In this ‘Grand Tour’ of aviation medicine in the Continent of Europe Sally Evans will guide us through the process so far, summarise the current state of play and offer her thoughts on the way forward.

2010 Stewart Lecture

Recorded: Tuesday 16 March 2010

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About the speaker:

Dr Sally Evans

Chief Medical Officer, UK Civil Aviation Authority

Dr Sally Evans worked as a general practitioner and for British Airways before joining the UK Civil Aviation Authority in 1993. She was appointed as Chief Medical Officer in August 2005. Dr Evans was the UK representative on the Joint Aviation Authorites’ Medical Sub-Group and is a member of the International Civil Aviation Organization’s Medical Provisions Study Group. She was the Chairman of the EASA Medical Sub-Group that drafted the EASA Class 1 and 2 Medical Requirements and is the medical representative on EASA’s Flight Crew Licensing Core Group. She has held a PPL, is Deputy Chief Examiner for the UK Diploma in Aviation Medicine and is currently Chairman of the European Aviation Authorities’ Chief Medical Officers’ Forum.

This Lecture event was sponsored by:

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The presentation will include an illustrated account of this flight and footage of an F18 Spanish military sent to fly round the balloon twice in recognition of the record.

2010 Ann Welch Lecture

Recorded: Wednesday 10 February 2010

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About the speaker:

Dr Janet Folkes

Lecturer, Materials, Mechanical & Manufacturing Engineering, University of Nottingham

Educated at the University of Wales and Imperial College, Dr Janet Folkes holds a PhD in Metallurgy specialising in Laser Surface Treatment of Titanium alloys. She has worked in Academia as well as in the Aerospace Industry as a laser scientist. As a result of her research work for the Nissan Motor Company, she holds two Japanese patents on the hardening of titanium.

At Lindstrand Balloons, she put her materials’ expertise to the test in work on the Virgin Global Flyer for the UK billionaire, Richard Branson, and was involved not only in the material development, joining and quality control but also in the flight control centre. Her work on airships includes consultancy work for the Cargolifter envelope fabric, publication of a paper on Stratospheric Airships and a UK patent for removal of Tedlar in Airship applications.

Her flying interests have gained her over 46 world records in ballooning and the Silver Medal of the Royal Aero Club. As an international competitor in gas ballooning, Janet won the Americas Challenge 2005 gas balloon race with Bill Arras flying just under 1,500 miles from Albuquerque, New Mexico to Canada. She also holds a private pilot’s licence for helicopters, hang gliders and paragliders and, as an avid skydiver, she has jumped from 30,000ft (almost 10,000m!).

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While conditions have sometimes been turbulent for the world’s launch services industry, Arianespace has steadfastly held true to its principles, which is demonstrated by our results: in 30 years, we have launched 277 satellites for 73 customers.

For the future, Arianespace is ready to continue its leadership role in a commercial marketplace that is increasingly competitive. Europe has given us the means to meet this ambition: a family of launchers that, from now on, will permit us to carry all of the satellites for all of our customers.

The cornerstone of this plan is our heavy-lift Ariane 5, whose record of mission successes demonstrates its reliability and in 2010, Arianespace is to take the next step with our introduction of the medium-lift Soyuz and the lightweight Vega at the Spaceport in French Guiana, which will enable us to launch satellites that until now were orbited by our competitors.

In our industry, we all know that the very best business plan is only as good as the next mission. As we prepare to build on our 30 years of success, the guarantee of our service is foremost in our strategy.

February 2010, Space Group Lecture

Recorded: Wednesday 17th February 2010

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About the speaker:

Jean-Yves Le Gall

Chairman & CEO, Arianespace

Jean-Yves Le Gall is Chairman & CEO of Arianespace, the world’s leading launch Service & Solutions company. His main mission is to define the company’s commercial strategy, and to develop and maintain a close relationship with its international clientele. He represents Arianespace in relations with European governments, space agencies and industrial partners, shareholders in the company. Jean-Yves Le Gall is also Chairman & Chief Executive Officer of Starsem, the company’s European-Russian subsidiary in charge of operating and marketing the Soyuz launch vehicle. Jean-Yves Le Gall has devoted his entire career to the European space program. He has held a number of management positions concerning both programs and strategy, including with the French Ministry of Industry, Novespace, French space agency CNES, Starsem and Arianespace, which he joined in 2001.

He is a member of the International Academy of Astronautics (IAA) and he received the Astronautics Prize from the French Association of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AAAF) in 2001. He was recognized by the magazine Via Satellite as its 2005 Satellite Executive of the Year and he received the Lifetime Achievement Award in 2007 from the Asia-Pacific Satellite Communications Council. He is now Chairman of the Industry Relations Committee of the International Astronautical Federation (IAF) and Co-Chairman of the EU-Japan Business Round Table (EJBRT). Jean-Yves Le Gall holds the honorary titles of Chevalier de la Légion d’Honneur and Officier de l’Ordre National du Mérite. He has been awarded the Order of Friendship by the Russian Federation.

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Our knowledge of the Solar System is now incomparably great compared to 50 years ago. All of this has been possible because of the technology of the expendable rocket having its origins with those first V2s. But now we want to do so much more. We need to extend the utility of space for the human race and we want to get people onto the surface of other worlds to see what they are about. The faithful expendable rocket, which has served us so well, is simply not up to the job. New technology is needed; cheaper, more reliable and more frequent. The UK is well placed to lead this new Space Age technologically; it just needs some visionary leadership.

2009 Brabazon Lecture

Recorded: Thursday 19th November 2009

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About the speaker:

Alan Bond

Managing Director Reaction Engines Ltd

Alan Bond began his career with Rolls-Royce (Derby) in 1963. He worked on the Spey gas turbine for the Phantom and RZ2 rocket engine for Blue Streak as well as the RZ20 Liquid O2/H2 rocket engine for the ELDO launcher upper stage. Alan moved to BAC (Stevenage) in 1972 working on classified weapon propulsion. He moved to UKAEA (Culham) in 1976 working on nuclear fusion and later advanced space propulsion.

Alan has been Managing Director of Reaction Engines from 1989 to present, working on spaceplane propulsion. He was also a consultant to the HOTOL project 1983-1989. His career has embraced chemical, electric and nuclear rocket propulsion, gas turbine and high speed air breathing propulsion, and nuclear fusion power generation. Alan’s interests include astronomy and astrophysics.

The Brabazon Lecture is in honour of Lord Brabazon of Tara. Born in London on 8 February 1884, J.T.C. Moore-Brabazon became one of British aviation’s true pioneers and, in his political career played an important role in the planning of civil aviation for the years following WW2.

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There are tensions in man’s competition for wealth, the environment, food, religion and ideology to name a few. The shrinking of the world and access to technology has allowed non-state actors to challenge the authority of states and global institutions, and has given some states hegemonic ambition that challenges regional security.

Solving the complex crises that erupt in this volatile brew requires levers of power across many disciplines, the military instrument being but one. If indeed we are in an era of so called Hybrid Warfare, how has the Royal Air Force responded to these challenges, and what can it offer in the future?

2009 Sir Sydney Camm Lecture

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About the speaker:

Air Chief Marshal Sir Christopher Moran KCB OBE MVO ADC

Commander-in-Chief Air Command, Royal Air Force

Air Chief Marshal Sir Chris Moran joined the RAF as a University Cadet and gained an honours degree in Mechanical Engineering at UMIST. Following pilot training, he was posted to the Harrier aircraft and served on No IV(AC) Squadron, based in Germany. He also served in Belize, the Falkland Islands and embarked in HMS ILLUSTRIOUS during this tour. In 1985 he was posted on exchange duties with the United States Marine Corps in North Carolina. He returned to RAF Wittering to become a flight commander on the Harrier Operational Conversion Unit. Following Advanced Staff College, he completed a short tour of duty in the Ministry of Defence before serving as Equerry to HRH The Duke of Edinburgh. In 1994 he took command of No IV(AC) Squadron; he flew during Operation WARDEN (NORTHERN WATCH) and led the Squadron during NATO’s Operation DELIBERATE FORCE. Promoted Group Captain in 1996, he served as a staff officer at Headquarters No 1 Group before taking command of RAF Wittering in 1997.

During his time in command, Wittering based aircraft flew on Operation BOLTON as a joint force aboard HMS INVINCIBLE. In 1999, after attending the Higher Command and Staff Course, he served as a Divisional Director at the Joint Services Command and Staff College, where he completed an MA in Defence Studies. Promoted Air Commodore in 2000, he moved to the Ministry of Defence as Director of the Air Staff. He took up his next appointment as Chief of the Defence Staff’s Liaison Officer to the Joint Staff in the Pentagon in November 2002, during which he was involved in the planning and execution of Operation TELIC/IRAQI FREEDOM. Promoted Air Vice-Marshal in 2003, he was appointed Air Officer Commanding No 1 Group, where he had responsibility for all Royal Air Force and Royal Navy fast jet forces and for sustaining those forces in operations over Iraq and Afghanistan. In 2005 he was appointed Assistant Chief of the Air Staff, at the Ministry of Defence, where he was responsible for RAF strategy development during a period of significant change. Promoted Air Marshal in 2007, he became the Deputy Commander of Allied Joint Force Command Brunssum: NATO’s operational level headquarters for the International Security Assistance Force mission in Afghanistan. He was promoted Air Chief Marshal and appointed Commander-in-Chief Air Command on 3 April 2009.

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Aviation drives people and countries to concentrate resources and talent to claim success in this extremely competitive sphere. And societal progress is still, to a large extent, measured by perception of its achievements in this very “cutting edge” of sciences.

Sir Thomas Sopwith – an aviation pioneer, engineer and businessman. His contemporary Pavel Osipovich Sukhoi – great aviation engineer and founder of one of the most secretive establishments in the Soviet military-industrial complex. Do these very successful men have something in common? Something that helped them advance their vision and influence others in their never-ending drive to perfection? In their personal fight to make man fly?
Yes, they do. It is called “taking a carefully calculated risk”.

2009 Sopwith Lecture

Recorded: Thursday 10 July 2008

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About the speaker:

Mikhail Pogosyan

Director General, Sukhoi Aviation Holding Company

In 1979, upon graduation with honours from Moscow Aviation Institute, Mikhail Pogosyan started his career at Sukhoi Engineering Bureau (now – “Sukhoi Company”), where he has worked ever since.

Over the years he led engineering teams in a number of major combat aircraft programmes: Su-27 and Su-30 air-superiority fighters and Su-33 carrier-based fighter. He was chief designer of the forward-swept wing Su-47 technology demonstrator aircraft.

Mikhail Pogosyan has led the company on its major diversification drive to develop the Sukhoi Superjet 100 commercial aircraft. Mikhail Pogosyan is the owner of numerous patents. He is the State Prize winner (1997) and the Government of Russia Prize winner (1998), Doctor of Technical Sciences, Corresponding Member, Academy of Sciences of the Russian Federation.

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The plan was to fly direct point-to-point with a premium product from continental European cities to New York. Project Lauren…Oh What a Journey… is a close look at what has happened since…buckle up it has been a hellava ride!

2008 Brabazon Lecture

Recorded: Wednesday 5 November 2008

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About the speaker:

Dale Moss

Managing Director, OpenSkies

Dale Moss is managing director of OpenSkies. He has worked in the aviation industry for 30 years, most recently as chief operating officer at Jet Airways, based in India. Prior to Jet Airways, Dale held various leadership positions in the UK and US for British Airways, where he spent the majority of his career. Most recently at British Airways he was the Director of Worldwide Sales and Marketing for the passenger and cargo businesses.

From 1989 to 1993, Dale worked in senior sales positions at Rosenbluth International and QVC Home Shopping Network. Originally from New York City, Dale earned a Bachelor of Science degree in marketing from Fordham University.

The Brabazon Lecture is in honour of Lord Brabazon of Tara. Born in London on 8 February 1884, J.T.C. Moore-Brabazon became one of British aviation’s true pioneers and, in his political career, played an important role in the planning of civil aviation for the years following WW2.

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Today innovation is coming from new and unexpected sources. General Aviation, traditionally the receipt of large transport aircraft innovation, is now innovating on its own. Empowered partially by Moore’s Law but more by an entrepreneurial fire that refuses to be banked, GA is leading the way in many areas of growth. In the meantime large sectors of aerospace are seeing innovation suppressed due to high levels of risk aversion. Are there ways for both segments to benefit from each other’s unique ability to innovate? And how can we as an industry share in the benefits and joy of innovation?

This talk explores the issue of innovation from both a historic and current events standpoint as it pertains to aviation and space.

2008 Wilbur and Orville Wright Lecture

Recorded: Thursday 11 December 2008

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About the speaker:

Vern Raburn

Founder of Eclipse Aviation, USA

With more than 30 years experience as a senior executive in both the information technology and aviation industries, Vern Raburn is a successful entrepreneur who has also helped to shape the courses of both the information technology revolution and the aviation industry.

In 1976, Mr Raburn opened one of the nation’s first computer stores. Shortly thereafter he joined Bill Gates as one of the first employees at Microsoft. He served at Microsoft as President of the Consumer Products Division. Following his tenure at Microsoft, he served as Executive VP and General Manager of Louts Development Corporation, where he played a key role in the successful launch of Lotus 1-2-3. He moved on to start Symantec Corporation where he served as President and Chairman.

In 1998 Mr Raburn moved to the aviation industry and founded Eclipse Aviation. Utilising many of the lessons from the information industry he led Eclipse Aviation to achieve numerous advancements in its quest to change the way people travel.

The company raised over a billion dollars in capital, received Type Certification for the Eclipse 500, received Production Certification, opened a training centre with Level D simulators and a chain of service centres. By mid 2008 the company had delivered over 250 aircraft.

Mr Raburn’s passion for high technology is exceeded only by his love of aviation. Since he first learned how to fly as a teenager, he has accumulated more than 7,000 hours of flight time and has earned his multi-engine, instrument, commercial and rotary ratings. He also holds type ratings in more then 16 aircraft ranging from WW2 bombers to piston airliners to modern corporate jets.

Vern Raburn serves on the Board of Directors of the EAA, ICON Aircraft and the Albuquerque Economic Development Corporation. In addition he is a trustee of the Museum of Flight in Seattle, WA.

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While market growth is generally acknowledged to be a good thing, growth in the air transport system brings many problems, not least being the impact of engine emissions on the environment. This lecture will:

• Examine the fundamental performance of flying machines powered by the kerosene-burning gas turbine
• Assess the developments that technology could  bring to the existing dominant design
• Potential new designs

These technologies will include materials, structures, systems, aerodynamics and fuels. The impact of emissions on local air quality and on global warming will be discussed. This will include the effects of CO2, NOx and contrails.  Finally, consideration will be given to alternative forms of propulsion and the circumstances in which they could be brought into service.

2009 Lanchester Lecture

Recorded: Monday 27 October 2008

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About the speaker:

Professor Ian Poll

OBE, FREng, FRAeS Professor of Aerospace Engineering, Cranfield University

Ian Poll is Professor of Aerospace Engineering at Cranfield University and Business Development Director of Cranfield Aerospace Limited.

A graduate of Imperial College, he has 30 years experience in aerospace and aviation, gained in both the academic and commercial domains. His career began at Hawker Siddeley Aviation before moving to the College of Aeronautics.

He was appointed Professor of Aerospace Engineering at the University of Manchester in 1985, later becoming Head of the Department of Engineering. In 1995, he returned to Cranfield as Head of the College of Aeronautics.

He is a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering, The City & Guilds Institute of London, the American Institute of Aeronautics & Astronautics and the Royal Aeronautical Society. He is also a Past President of RAeS.

He outlined the challenges facing the sector over the next few decades – those affecting scientists, business leaders and policy makers before considering how lessons from the past should inform a successful and strategic approach to the future.

2009 Whittle Lecture

Recorded: Wednesday 17th June 2009

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About the speaker:

The Lord Drayson

Minister of State for Science and Innovation, DIUS Science and innovation minister

Paul Rudd Drayson has a BSc (Hons) in Production Engineering and a PhD in Robotics. Between 1986 and 1991, he was Managing Director of Lambourn Food Company and in 1993, he co-founded the vaccine company PowderJect Pharmaceuticals plc in Oxford where he was Chairman and Chief Executive until 2003. Between 2001 and 2002, Lord Drayson was Chairman of the BioIndustry Association and of the Oxford Children’s Hospital Fundraising Campaign from 2002-2005. From 2003 to 2005, he was Science Entrepreneur-in-Residence at the Said Business School at Oxford University and in June 2007, Lord Drayson became a member of the Prime Minister’s Business Council.

Lord Drayson was raised to the peerage as Baron Drayson, of Kensington in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea in May 2004. In May 2005, he was appointed Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State and Minister for Defence Procurement and became a Government Spokesman for Defence to the House of Lords. In March 2007, he was promoted to become Minister for Defence Equipment and Support, serving until November 2007. Lord Drayson was also appointed as Minister of State for Business and Regulatory Reform at the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform, serving between June 2007 and January 2008. In November 2007, he took a leave of absence from the Government to compete in the American Le Mans Series in the US.

In October 2008, he returned to Government and was appointed as the Minister of State for Science and Innovation, taking up a seat in the Cabinet and becoming a member of the Privy Council in November of that year.

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He will review the studies he has conducted in relation to passenger health in air travel, the effects of alcohol upon the performance of pilots in flight and as the principal initiator of the NASA Air Safety Reporting System (ASRS) which has formed the basis of similar safety systems in 11 nations and in medicine. He will recount the development of Cockpit/Crew Resource Management (CRM) in which he was involved and his recent concerns with regard to the problems of the rapidly increasing automation in air transport operations.

Drawing on his experience in clinical and aviation medicine practice in academia and government, he will discuss some lessons that he believes to be important for young people becoming involved in this most fascinating speciality, and the knowledge base and skills that he believes people should acquire to be fully effective in a career in aviation or space medicine.

2009 Stewart Lecture

Recorded: Thursday 10th December 2009

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About the speaker:

Dr Charles Billings

MS, MD, FRAeS Emeritus Professor, The Ohio State University, USA

Dr Billings who originally trained as a musician, attended New York University, received a Doctor of Medicine degree and then took training in internal medicine at the University of Vermont. He was drafted into the United States Air Force and attended the USAF School of Aviation Medicine. He then was assigned as a squadron flight surgeon for a Fighter-Interceptor Wing located at RAF Manston.

Upon his release from service, he took graduate training in aviation and occupational medicine at The Ohio State University. He was then offered the opportunity to teach in the department where he had been a resident. After 15 years at Ohio State, he joined the US National Aeronautics and Space Administration as a medical research officer, became chief of Aviation Safety Research, was promoted to senior scientist and finally selected a Fellow and Chief Scientist before his retirement from the NASA Ames Research Center.

He returned to The Ohio State University as an Emeritus Professor, and for the past 17 years he has worked in the School of Engineering in cognitive systems engineering and human factors research. He is a Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society and an Associate Fellow in the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, and an Emeritus member of the International Academy of Aviation and Space Medicine.

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These challenges include the response to the global economic crisis, aviation’s environmental performance and international air transportation modernization. As we face these issues, we should remember what inspired Charles Lindbergh’s flight all those years ago – a contest bankrolled by a hotel owner. This is a dramatic reminder that positive measures, rather than punitive steps, will always have the most success in fostering the spirit of innovation.

2009 Lindbergh Lecture

Recorded: Tuesday 28th April 2009

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About the speaker:

Marion C. Blakey

President and CEO,
Aerospace Industries Association of America

Marion C. Blakey took the reins of the Aerospace Industries Association as the eighth full-time executive in November 2007.

She joined AIA from the Federal Aviation Administration, where she completed a fiveyear term as administrator in September 2007. At the FAA, Blakey oversaw the safest period for air travel in United States history. She also instituted solid business practices at the agency, with more than 97 percent of the agency’s major programs coming in on time and on budget. Under her leadership, the Next Generation Air Transportation System, known as NextGen, was launched and significant progress made toward its implementation.

She previously served as chairman of the National Transportation Safety Board and administrator of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, as well as in key positions at the Departments of Commerce, Education and Transportation and the National Endowment for the Humanities and the White House.

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The Lecture will cover the relationship between aeronautics and higher education over the past two centuries. It will identify the important contributions made by academics and it will examine the evolution of the complex relationship between industry and academia.

Particular consideration will be given to the current situation and to possible future developments as the nature of the industry changes in response to the new challenges that are facing society.

2009 Handley Page Lecture

Recorded: Tuesday 23 June 2009

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About the speaker:

Professor Ian Poll

OBE, Professor of Aerospace Engineering, Cranfield University

Ian Poll is Professor of Aerospace Engineering at Cranfield University and Business Development Director of Cranfield Aerospace Limited. A graduate of Imperial College, he has 30 years experience in aerospace and aviation, gained in both the academic and commercial domains. His career began at Hawker Siddeley Aviation before moving to the College of Aeronautics. He was appointed Professor of Aerospace Engineering at the University of Manchester in 1985, later becoming Head of the Department of Engineering. In 1995, he returned to Cranfield as Head of the College of Aeronautics. He is a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering, The City & Guilds Institute of London, the American Institute of Aeronautics & Astronautics and the Royal Aeronautical Society. He is also a Past President of RAeS.

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But, as with all aircraft, product improvement, reliability and in-service issues were addressed by operators and manufacturers together.

Captain Dave Leney (former Concorde Pilot and Flight Manager) and David Macdonald (former Flight Engineer Superintendent, Concorde) provide an insight into the technical and operational developments and the highlights and milestones of BA’s Concorde Fleet.

Concorde Lecture: Beyond Entry Into Service

Recorded: Wednesday 8th April 2009

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About the speakers:

Capt Dave Leney

Former Concorde Pilot and Flight Manager

Capt Dave Leney’s road to becoming a Concorde Captain began when he went with a group of friends from University College School, London to apply for pilot entry into the Royal Air Force for National Service. He later turned down a University place to join a commercial pilots course which led him to join BOAC. He flew and navigated Constellations and Argonauts and co-piloted Britannia’s attaining command on VC10’s in 1971. In 1974 Dave became Pilot Manager of the VC10’s and in 1976 he joined the Concorde fleet at the beginning of its association with British Airways. By 1977 he had completed the six month course and qualified as a Concorde Captain, later becoming Flight Manager. Dave retired from flying in 1992.

David Macdonald

Former Flight Engineer Superintendent, Concorde

David Macdonald began his aviation life as an airframe/engine apprentice with British European Airways, 1955 to 1960, leaving to undertake Flight Engineer training with BOAC in 1961. His first posting was to the de Havilland Comet 4, moving on to the Vickers VC10 after three years. Eleven years on the VC10 fleet included three as an Instructor/Examiner and a further three as Flight Engineer Superintendent (FES). In 1974, during the formation of BA’s Concorde nucleus group, he was pleased, not only to accept the position of FES Concorde, but also to continue his relationship with the British aircraft industry for a further twenty years.

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In 1943, Piasecki developed and flew America’s second successful helicopter (the PV-2), and in 1945 invented the world’s first tandem rotor helicopter (the XHRP -1) which led to the development of the H-21, H-46 and H-47. After selling his Piasecki Helicopter Corporation to Boeing, he founded Piasecki Aircraft Corporation in 1955 to explore advanced VTOL aircraft technologies including UAVs, heavy lift rotorcraft and high speed compound rotorcraft. In all, Piasecki has designed, developed and flown over 28 advanced vertical lift systems. His many achievements and awards include America’s highest technical award, the National Medal of Technology, presented by the President of the United States in 1986 for contributions in the advancement of the vertical flight, the Medal of Merit (Poland) in recognition of his contribution to the Polish aerospace industry and his direct assistance in obtaining U.S. FAA certification for the “Sokol” helicopter, awarded by Lech Walesa, President, Poland 1994, and the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum’s Lifetime Achievement Award presented in 2005.
John Piasecki’s presentation will touch on the history of Piasecki’s pioneering VTOL designs and how many have evolved for present day and future application. PiAC pioneered numerous, highly-innovative rotorcraft designs including the PV-2, the tandem helicopter, the Aerial Geep flying cars, the Pathfinder Ring-Tail High-speed Compound Helicopter, the Sea Bat Unmanned Helicopter Drone, the Heli-Stat heavy lift hybrid aircraft, and most recently PiAC has completed flight testing the X-49A SpeedHawk VTDP Compound Helicopter, and is developing various unmanned aerial vehicle designs for the United States Department of Defense.

2009 Cierva Lecture

Recorded: Tuesday 6th October 2009

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About the speaker:

John Piasecki

President & Chief Executive Officer, Piasecki Aircraft
Corporation

John Weyerhaeuser Piasecki received a BA degree in Political Science (with Distinction) from Yale University. In 1989, he joined Piasecki Aircraft as Executive Assistant to the President, responsible for proposal development, contract negotiation and administration. In 1991, after becoming Vice President, Contracts and Administration, Mr Piasecki’s responsibilities were expanded to include oversight of all business development and financial aspects of the company, as well as purchasing, human resources, strategic planning, public and government relations. In February 2008, he assumed the role of President and CEO with responsibility for leading the overall management of the Company. Mr Piasecki is currently a Director of the Rock Island Company, a Trustee of the Foreign Policy Research Institute, and former Public Policy Chair of the Philadelphia Chapter of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics. Mr Piasecki is an active member of the American Helicopter Society, National Defense Industrial Association, Yale Alumni Schools Committee, The Haverford School Advisory Board and a former Director of the Opera Company of Philadelphia.

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Al-Qaeda has shown a consistent and persistent interest in Civil Aviation which has also seen itself become one of the poster children in the climate change debate. Emissions trading, offsetting, and alternative fuels , were little discussed in 1999; in 2009 they were on the front page of the websites. Printed front pages are now a part of history as are printed tickets, fixed prices and uncrowded airspace. This Lecture will explore the current environment and endeavour to encourage the participants.

2009 Beaumont Lecture

Recorded: Wednesday 25 March 2009

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About the speaker:

Robert Webb

QC, General Counsel, British
Airways 1998-2009

Robert Webb QC is General Counsel of British Airways.
He was called to the Bar in 1971 and became Queen’s Counsel in 1988. He practised as a QC for 10 years as Head of Chambers at 5 Bell Yard, London from whence he joined British Airways in 1998.
He is a Non Executive Director of the London Stock Exchange, of the BBC and of Hakluyt Ltd. He is a Bencher of the Inner Temple and a Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society. He sat as a Recorder of the Crown Court from 1993 to 1998 and is a past Chairman of the International Relations Committee of the Bar Council. He also sits on the Board of “London First”. He was for five years (1999-2005) also a Director of Air Mauritius.
He is a Trustee of the Migratory Salmon Fund, an Honorary Fellow of UNICEF, and a golfer.

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In 1919, 1945 and 1989 the armed forces entered periods of relative austerity. Yet these periods also provide examples of the innovative use of air power, which, working in partnership with a range of other agents, provided agile, novel and often cheaper solutions to pressing and usually unexpected security problems.

Characterising these approaches was a willingness to embrace emerging technology and an intellectual confidence to generate and adopt new concepts. In these examples there may be some lessons for those contemplating the challenges but also opportunities of a new age of austerity.

2009 Wilbur and Orville Wright Lecture

Recorded: Thursday 10th December 2009

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About the speaker:

ACM Sir Stephen Dalton

KCB ADC BSc FRAeS FCMI RAF

Air Chief Marshal Sir Stephen Dalton joined the RAF in 1976 after graduating with an honours degree in Aeronautical Engineering from Bath University. During the height of the Cold War, he flew the Jaguar on 3 tours, both in Germany and the UK, in the tactical reconnaissance and ground attack roles. After completing the Advanced Staff Course, he trained to fly the Tornado GR1A and went on to command No 13 Squadron.

During this tour he deployed to the Middle East on Operation JURAL where he flew armed reconnaissance missions over Iraq in support of the United Nations sanctions. For part of this period he was also the Commander British Forces JURAL, the UK’s contribution to the coalition operation SOUTHERN WATCH.

Air Chief Marshal Dalton commanded Royal Air Force Coltishall and the RAF’s Jaguar Force for 2 years from September 1997. On promotion to Air Commodore he was appointed as Director of the Eurofighter (Typhoon) Programme Assurance Group in the MoD with responsibility for ensuring that all elements of this key defence programme resulted in an effective and safe introduction of service of Typhoon.

After attending the Higher Command Staff Course in 2002, he was appointed Director of Air Operations in MoD, a period which was dominated by the preparation for and conduct of Operation TELIC – the UK contribution to the multi-national operations in Iraq in 2003.

On promotion to Air Vice-Marshal he took over the post of Capability Manager for Information Superiority, with defence-wide responsibility for reconnaissance and communications capability requirements. In April 2004 he was appointed Controller Aircraft, a post which carried with it a place on the Air Force Board and which he carried with him into his next position when, in May 2006, he took up the appointment of Director General Typhoon in the MoD.

In May 2007, ACM Dalton became Deputy Commander in Chief Personnel and Air Member for Personnel. He was promoted to Air Chief Marshal in April 2009 and was appointed Chief of the Air Staff on 31 July 2009. He was made a Knight Commander of the Most Honourable Order of the Bath in the 2009 Queen’s Birthday Honours List.

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Improvements in aircraft crashworthiness, design criteria, personal protective equipment and aircraft escape systems may make injuries preventable or could turn an otherwise non-survivable crash into a survivable one. As injuries can be produced in a number of ways, protection against crash injury requires not only an understanding of the crash environment and the dynamics of the impact, but also of the tolerance of the human to physical forces. The characteristics of injuries seen in aircraft accidents can differ markedly between aircraft types and even within a single accident, there may be dissimilar injury patterns among those individuals involved. An understanding of the causes of injuries or fatalities is critical to improving survivability and identifying the changes which could be made to prevent injuries or fatalities in the future.

This lecture addresses how the development of effective programmes for reducing injuries in aircraft accidents depends on gaining an understanding of how accidents cause injuries, the nature of the forces contributing to the injuries, and the characteristics of the types of accidents under investigation.

2008 Stewart Lecture

Recorded: Tuesday 18 March 2008

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About the speaker:

Wing Commander Matthew E Lewis, MSc MD DAvMed, MRAeS

RAF Consultant in Aviation Medicine, RAF Centre of Aviation Medicine, Royal Air Force Henlow

Wing Commander Matthew Lewis qualified in Medicine at the University of Wales College of Medicine in 1985. In 1994, he was commissioned into the Royal Air Force and was stationed at RAF Leeming as the Junior Medical Officer.

At the end of 1994, he was posted to the RAF School of Aviation Medicine, Farnborough, to receive specialist training in aviation medicine. In 1998 he was posted to the RAF Centre of Aviation Medicine, Royal Air Force Henlow. He was appointed a Consultant in Aviation Medicine in 2006.

He is presently the head of the Human Factors and Biomechanics Section (formerly Aircraft Accident Investigation Section) of the Centre. Wg Cdr Lewis has been the principal investigator of over 130 aircraft accidents and has carried out extensive research on the issues emanating from these investigations.

He provides expert advice to the UK military commands on all aspects of accident investigation, seat restraint systems, static seat designs, aircraft crashworthiness, impact protection requirements, injury causation, dynamics of assisted escape systems and assessments of aircrew equipment assemblies and survival equipment. His in depth knowledge of human performance under crash and assisted escape conditions is sought internationally and has been instrumental in achieving modifications to current and future aircraft platforms.