Royal Aeronautical Society Event RSS feed

Kingsford-Smith Lecture & Dinner - Brett Godfrey

Wed, 06 Oct 2010 00:00:00 +1100

The Lakes Golf Club King Street Eastlakes

Dr Allan Paull - Hypersonics Research in Australia

Mon, 13 Sep 2010 00:00:00 +1000

Hypersonics Research in Australia

Presenter: Dr Allan Paull, Defence Science and Technology Organisation (DSTO)

Time: 6:00pm for a 6:30pm start.
Venue: TBA
Address: TBA

August Lecture - Ron Houghton

Wed, 25 Aug 2010 00:00:00 +1000

University of NSW, Physics Theatre, Old Main Build Barker Street Kensington

Centenary of Flight in Australia: Celebrating the Past, Building the Future

Mon, 16 Aug 2010 00:00:00 +1000

RMIT Storey Hall 336-348 Swanston Street Melbourne Please RSVP by Monday 2 August 2010 to Timothy Peters (timothy.peters@rmit.edu.au) or Tel: +61 (0)3 9925 6167.

Centenary of Flight in Australia: Celebrating the Past, Building the Future

Date: Monday 16 August 2010
Time: 5pm for a 5:30pm Start.
Venue: RMIT Storey Hall
Address: 336-348 Swanston Street, Melbourne

Guest speakers include:
Dr. Gwynne Duigan (Duigan Family Archivist and Matriarch)
Mr. Terry Egan (Aviator and Manager, Duigan Aircraft Replica Project)
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Joachim Szodruch (Member of the Executive Board DLR, German Aerospace Centre, Cologne, Germany)

The event will include a presentation of Student "Centenary of Flight" awards, and a display of a flight simulator program of the Duigan Flyer, developed by RMIT University Aerospace Engineering students.

2010 Aerospace Industry Night

Thu, 05 Aug 2010 00:00:00 +1000

RMIT Storey Hall Building 16, 360 Swanston Street, Melbourne

2010 Aerospace Industry Night

Time: Doors open 5:30pm for a 6:00pm start.
Venue: RMIT Storey Hall
Address: Building 16, 330 Swanston Street, Melbourne

The 2010 Aerospace Industry Night provides information to students interested in pursuing a career withing aerospace, aviation, defence and related industries. This forum is intended to cover a range of areas including design, manufacturing, maintenance, upgrades, operations, defence, research and development, and general aviation support services. It allows opportunity for dialogue and interaction between industry members, as well as University and TAFE students.

The format of the evening will comprise of brief presentations by company representatives followed by an informal exposition-style discussion session, where students can have one-on-one talks with industry representatives. In conjunction with the informal discussions, the students will also have the chance to attend smaller seminars which will be conducted in the upper levels of the venue. These seminars will cover common issues of resume writing and interview skills, as well as the chance to engage with an panel of recent graduates who are now working in the industry.

Companies Include:
Boeing Aerostructures Australia, ACS Australia, BAE Systems Australia, Raytheon Australia, Teach for Australia, MACRO Recruitment, Royal Aeronautical Society, Defence Force Recruiting, American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Defence Science and Technology Organisation, RMIT Career Services, John Holland Aviation Services, Engineers Australia and Avalon Airport.

Please visit the 2010 Engineering Week Activities website to register your attendance.

July Lecture - Paul Lasica

Wed, 28 Jul 2010 00:00:00 +1000

University of NSW, Physics Theatre, Old Main Build Barker Street Kensington Profile: Sergeant Paul Lasica commenced duty in the New South Wales Police Force in 1990 and joined the Aviation Support Branch in 1998. He currently holds the position of Team Leader – Branch Training Manager, Aircrew. Synopsis Paul will focus on the ASB’s general operations including investigations of aviation fatalities, quality and performance of the aircraft fleet, and careers within the ASB. Still to be confirmed, Paul maybe accompanied by one of their very experienced pilots, Special Constable Daniel Tyler.

VSSEC Site Tour

Tue, 13 Jul 2010 00:00:00 +1000

Victorian Space Science Education Centre (VSSEC) 400 Pascoe Vale Road Strathmore

Site Tour of the Victorian Space Science Education Centre (VSSEC)

Presenter: Naomi Mathers

Time: 6:15pm for a 6:30pm Start.
Venue: VSSEC, at Strathmore Secondary College
Address: 400 Pascoe Vale Road, Strathmore

The Victorian Space Science Education Centre (VSSEC) is one of three Specialist Science Centres established by the Victorian State Government opened in 2006. VSSEC uses the context of space to engage teachers adn students in the teaching and learning of science.

The flagship program, known as "Mission to Mars", is a day-long space science experience where Year 9 and 10 students are immersed in a scenario where they get to wear space suits in order to collect samples from a realistic Mars surface, as well as act as Mission Controllers in monitoring the mission.

As part of the tour, our host will talk about the recent developments as the Centre, including the launch of the exciting VSSEC Space Prize (a ten week program at one of NASA's Academies), as well as the drive for bringing engineers into schools to help positively affect the choices students make about engineering. Members and friends are encouraged to bring their children along to this event. Cameras as also welcome, as there are some unique photo opportunities whilst standing on a realistic Mars surface!

June Lecture - David Farrar

Wed, 30 Jun 2010 00:00:00 +1000

University of NSW, Rupert Myer's Theatre Barker Street Kensington

Mr David Farrar was born in London, England in 1921, and educated at Sutton County School, Surrey. He won three scholarships to Cambridge University, going up in 1939. In his second year David (at the age of nineteen) passed the Mechanical Sciences tripos First Class with distinctions and a share in University prizes for aerodynamics and structures.

It being the eve of World War II, he expected to go into the Royal Air Force, having been an active member of the University Air Squadron, but was assigned to the aircraft industry in the Bristol Aeroplane Company, where he specialised initially in structural design. By the age of 25 he had devised new approaches to the design of compression structures and was in charge of the structural design of Britain's largest landplane, the Bristol Brabazon. In 1949, David made in-flight observations of wing buckling in a Bristol Freighter, which then did full power engine cut tests. On the next flight with the chief aerodynamicist and the head of flight test on board, full power engine cut caused the fin and rudder to break and all aboard were lost. The head of flight test was the designated head of the new Guided Weapons department, to which David then succeeded.

DEFENCE FIELD: David was responsible for the:

Design and development of many U.K. guided weapons including Bloodhound 1 and 2, Swingfire and Rapier, and for the vertical launched Sea Wolf concept;

Specification, procurement, installation and industrial service support for complete target detection, operational and launch control and missile interception systems for the RAAF, the Swedish Air Force, and the Swiss Army;

Consultant to the British Ministry of Defence on ramjet procurement, strategic ballistic missiles and defence against them, and the cost effectiveness of Government weapons procurement policies;

Former lecturer to U.K. Ministrry of Defence courses on Project Management, and advisor to U.K. Department of Industry on the design of incentive contracts; and

Former Chairman of the Royal Aeronautical Society’s Management Studies and Cost Engineering Groups, the latter now having made available a three day workshop on cost engineering which could be given in Australia.

INDUSTRY AND HIGHER EDUCATION BACKGROUND: David led industrial design and development teams which won four Queen’s Awards to industry for technical achievement and exports in the fields of aerospace and factory automation. He was responsible for the structural design of the largest landplane built in U.K., greatly advancing the art of structual design and having a significant role in establishing the configuration of today’s civil aircraft. Subsequently, was responsible for the design and development of large defence projects involving successful project management, systems, engineering, and overseas sales against international competitors. As Engineering Director, Concorde, accurately predicted the failure to sell commercially ten years before the aircraft went into airline service. As Director, post Apollo Studies, led three teams on the design of the Space Shuttle Orbiter, and developed major specialisation in cost engineering.

In 1973 David became Engineering Director at Molins Ltd, developing a range of advanced machinery which achieved unsurpassed sales and profits and which provided the basis for their launch as a public company. In 1979, David became Director of the Centre of Engineering Design at Cranfield University and created with the Engineering Industry Training Board a series of Open Learning Modules for designer education and further education, and a long running series of short courses on the Management of Engineering Design. As consultant in the field, helped large companies to achieve major success, and companies of all sizes to make use of CADCAM technology.

David received the OBE for his work on Bloodhound I, and the teams which he led received four Queens Awards for exports and technology. He is an external examiner, South Bank University, former director of Engineering Science Data International, a member of Editorial Boards of ‘Engineering Management International’ and ‘Professional Engineer’, was the first Chairman of the Society of British Aircraft Constructors Guided Weapons Committee, a member of Royal Aeronautical Society council, served on many professional committees, and in retirement lectured for the Institution of Engineering Designers from whom he received an Honorary Fellowship.

David married in 1950 Bridget Kiely. Their two children, Claire and Kevin, died from cystic fibrosis. Ten years after Bridget's death he married Fay McEnaney and immigrated to Australia, where they have two sons, a daughter and grandson.

Synopsis: Following John Burleigh’s lecture on Bristol and Australia, David Farrar continues the history up to today when Bristol 100 is celebrating 100 years of aircraft design and manufacture in the same location, a unique achievement. Bristol Aeroplane Company Board policies were at the root of that achievement, but the future risk of bankruptcy was to be seen in the first military aircraft on which he worked. Two post-war Bristol aircraft were to prove of great value to Australia: Bristol helicopters. and the Bristol Freighter. Work on the post-war Brabazon aircraft led indirectly to the now familiar shape of long range passenger jets. The workings of Fate:

Led to his leading guided weapons at Bristol and relations with WRE in Australia; and

Involved the Bristol Britannia and linked the survival of the aeroplane and guided weapons teams through several crises in ways which until now were closely kept secrets.

At the time of aircraft industry rationalisation Bristol Aircraft was virtually in liquidation. It was prevented, and Bristol was able to join British Aircraft Corporation. Honour is due to those who made this possible.

Problems such as cost and time overrun continue to plague the industry and set problems for the Services. Many problems arose and were overcome in this history, and there are some lessons for today. The relationship between Bristol and Australia changed further as Bristol moved from GW to Space, and on to Manned Space

June Lecture

Tue, 29 Jun 2010 00:00:00 +1000

Level 11 108 King William Street Adelaide For security, the building will be locked at 6:00pm; no entry will be permitted after this time.

Dr David Lingard (DSTO) will present a lecture on satellite imagery, with an emphasis on its relevance to maritime surveillance and reconnaissance, and how satellites can collect data transmitted by vessels in maritime and littoral regions.

David M. Lingard

Intelligence Surveillance & Reconnaissance Division, Defence Science and Technology Organisation

David Lingard obtained his PhD in Ionospheric Physics from the University of Queensland in 1994. After commencing at DSTO in 1996, he has worked in the area of modelling and analysis of Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance systems. He has supported the capability development and acquisition process for airborne surveillance, and in 2006 he was the assessment leader for the North West Shelf Unmanned Aerial System Trial. David has also analysed the employment of commercial satellites for surveillance, and has studied what is the best way to assess the effectiveness of information fusion.

The presentation will discuss commercial satellite imagery, with an emphasis on its application to maritime surveillance. The basics will be covered such as orbits and sensor payloads. The capability of such systems for detection of vessels, classification and identification will be illustrated. In addition, surveillance coverage, timeliness of the surveillance process, access to ground stations, and future technology options will be discussed.

Bristow Helicopters

Thu, 24 Jun 2010 00:00:00 +1000

Edith Cowan University 2 BRADFORD STREET MOUNT LAWLEY

Bristow Helicopters have been an important part of the offshore oil and gas industry in Australia and around the world for a long time.

Neil Seabrook is Engineering Manager for Bristow, Australia Operations and previously was Operations Manager for Bristow International responsible for operations and engineering in Africa, Australia, Russia and SE Asia.

The company has operated helicopters made in many countries including Russia and has new types currently entering service.

Neil will give an illustrated presentation on Bristow's International Operations in the period 2001 to 2008 with overviews of the fleet and and business.

The company was started in the UK by Alan Bristow who was a significant figure in the development and use of helicopters in all parts of the world.