RAeS Canberra Branch (News)

RAeS
Canberra Branch

Vale Harry Julian

It is with sadness that AeroNEWS must report the passing of Harry Julian on 13^th June. Harry had been suffering kidney problems for a year. He was 82. Margaret and the children were all present with Harry at the end.

Harry was a tireless member of the Committee of the Canberra Branch of the Society in the 1980s and 1990s. He became a Fellow of the Society in 1997 and served for two years as the Chairman of the Canberra Branch.

A celebration of Harry’s life was held at the Hellenic Club in Phillip on Thursday 19^th June. Many people from Canberra’s aviation, defence and motor cycling communities attended, including a number of members of the Canberra Branch of the Society.

Conference at ADFA

Operations Research in Australia: The Experts Speak!, organised by UNSW@ADFA and DSTO, Date: 7-8 July, 2008

This conference will explore the whole spread of OR within Australia – from mathematical optimisation of well defined problems through to strategic planning where the issues themselves need to be teased out. One of the key aspects of OR is engagement of the client – thus this conference will be presented in terms of what can and can’t be achieved, what techniques can be used, past successes (and failures!). More details and registration at: http://www.unsw.adfa.edu.au/dsarc/conferences/or_conference.html

Researching the Red Sales

The Red Sales was the RAAF aerobatic team based at East Sale in 1962. The Red Sales flew the de Havilland T33 Vampire.

Tragically, during training on 15 August 1962, the Red Sales crashed, killing six pilots.

One of the pilots who died in the crash was FltLt Marty Burke. FltLt Burke’s daughter, Cathy Costa, is now researching all aspects of the Red Sales and its members, the T33 Vampire, life at RAAF Base East Sale in 1962, the social impact of the crash, and the community of Sale in 1962.

The Australian Division of the Society is asking that anyone who can assist Cathy by providing information or anecdotes should contact her at:

cathy.costa@rmit.edu.au

Industry Consultation

The Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government is seeking input to the development of a “National Aviation Policy Statement”. The objective is to provide greater planning and investment certainty for the industry and provide clear commitments for users of aviation services and communities affected by aviation activity. An Issues Paper has been prepared and submissions on it are invited at: http://www.infrastructure.gov.au/aviation/nap/index.aspx

Some time ago the Australian Aerospace Industry Forum was established to ensure the continued development of a sustainable aerospace industry, to promote Australian capabilities and to provide a collective industry voice to government on current issues. RAeS is represented on AAIF. Find out more about AAIF’s work and objectives, and access its first Newsletter at: http://www.innovation.gov.au/Industry/AerospaceandDefence/Pages/AustralianAerospaceIndustryForum.aspx

2007 Awards

Each year the Branch awards prizes at ADFA. The winners in 2007 wre as follows:

Officer Cadet Nyuk Wei Foo won the AVM Noble undergraduate prize of a medallion and $200

Mr Jeffrey McGuire won the TFC Lawrence postgraduate prize

Vale

With deep regret we note the passing of three Members of the Branch. Alan SHARPE CEng MRAeS passed away in November 2007 at the age of 88; he had been a Member of the Society for 59 years. In December the Branch lost Brig MacKenzie-Orr, one of its notable Friends. William Wodrow CEng MRAeS passed away on 16 January 2008 at the age of 67. He had been a Member of the Society for 20 years. All had prominent careers and will be sadly missed by the aviation community.

Canberra Region Aviation Awards

This year we are planning to replace the traditional Pioneer Lecture with a “Biennial RAeS Canberra Branch Award Night” in October. Its objective is to encourage and formally recognize high achievement in an aerospace discipline by an individual or small team in the Canberra Region. The value of the award will be in its prestige although the winner also receives a $500 cheque.

RAeS represents all aerospace disciplines, and achievement in any of these will be eligible for this award. The disciplines include but are not limited to engineering, aeromedicine, safety, air traffic control, air law, space, airline operation, airport operations, environmental issues, maintenance and repair, project management, systems engineering, aerospace education, etc.

Members of the Branch are invited and encouraged to make nominations for the Award, as are aerospace organisations in our region. Judging will be by a Canberra Branch sub-committee.

Vulcan Test Pilot

Members who heard Tony Blackman’s presentation to the Branch in March may be interested in his new book “VULCAN TEST PILOT - My Experiences in the Cockpit of a Cold War Icon”, with foreword by HRH The Duke of Edinburgh. It’s probably the only book by someone who actually did a lot of Vulcan flight testing. The Vulcan’s shape caused unusual flying characteristics which had to be fixed. Its relatively benign flying qualities didn’t happen by accident and Tony’s book explains how the aircraft was made to work and be safe to fly. More details are at http://www.blackmanbooks.co.uk/vulcan.asp. The book is particularly timely now that the restored Vulcan XH558 has progressed to engine runs and may fly soon. See http://www.tvoc.co.uk/. Tony is offering signed copies of his book for a special price of $45. They can be ordered from Branch Secretary Martin Aubury, with delivery in Canberra in November. If interested please phone Martin on 6255 2347.

Request for Assistance from AWM

The Australian War Memorial is investigating the possibility of displaying two World War 1 aircraft in an exhibition in ANZAC Hall, due to open in late 2008. An SE5A and Pfalz D.XII are to be either suspended or supported on columns in the eastern end of the Hall. A major concern is establishing the structural integrity of the airframe and confirming the most appropriate points of attachment for suspension or support armatures. The Memorial is seeking assistance from any member who has qualifications and experience in carrying out structural analysis of timber/fabric covered aircraft. Integrity of these original airframes is unknown. So a simple analysis based on AUW and original performance limits probably needs to be supplemented by a thorough inspection of at least the likely mounting points in the structure. If anyone can help, or knows of somebody else with suitable skills, please contact David Gordon, Workshop Manager, Treloar Technology Centre on 6243 4452. Or in the first instance discuss with Martin Aubury on 6255 2347. AWM hopes to have the analysis of the SE5A and Pfalz completed by the end of June 2007.

University Course Accreditation

Engineers Australia carries out regular Accreditation assessments of Australian engineering degree courses and an agreement is in place whereby RAeS assists with Aeronautical Engineering courses.

Australian Division is looking to establish a pool of members of the Society with a good Aeronautical Engineering degree and with the experience necessary to review the content of current and proposed engineering courses. Ideally volunteers should be “Fellows" but this is not essential.

The task involves a paperwork review followed by a team visit of 2 or 3 days to the University seeking accreditation. A report is written by EA staff with input from team members. All expenses are paid by EA

Colin Torkington of Canbera Branch has taken part in four accreditations and found them to be expertly organized, stimulating, interesting and enjoyable. Contact him on 6278 3398 if you are interested in helping.

Annual Subscription

Most Branch members are formal members of The Royal Aeronautical Society and pay their annual subscription to the Society in Sydney or London. Those who don't pay to Sydney or London are Friends of the Society and should pay their annual subscription to their local Branch. Friends of the Society who are associated with the Canberra Branch are asked to pay their annual subscription of $25 to the Treasurer of the Branch at GPO Box 1056 Canberra 2601 ACT. Any cheque should be payable to The Royal Aeronautical Society.