The researcher credited with saving the Australian Government hundreds of millions of dollars through the life extension of ADF aircraft, has received one of the country’s most prestigious awards.
The researcher credited with saving the Australian Government hundreds of millions of dollars through the life extension of ADF aircraft, has received one of the country’s most prestigious awards.
The Premier of Victoria the Honorable John Brumby announced Dr Alan Baker as the winner of the Royal Aeronautical Society Australian Division 2009 Lawrence Hargrave Award, in his speech opening the 2009 Australian International Airshow and Aerospace & Defence Exposition at Avalon on Tuesday 10th March.
Dr Baker conceived and developed the unique technology for extending the life of defective aircraft structures through the use of adhesively bonded advanced fibre composite patches or reinforcements.
The reinforcements greatly increase the life of the defective component by reducing stress in the damaged area and bridging any cracks.
Other countries, including the United States and Canada, have also adopted the technology developed by Dr Baker, and are experiencing similar cost savings on their aircraft.
Dr Baker has been an inspiration and continues to champion the technology he developed over thirty years ago.
During his early career, Dr Baker conducted novel research into providing bird-impact resistance to the new light weight polymer-matrix carbon fibre composite jet engine fan blades initially developed by Rolls Royce for the Lockheed L1011 aircraft. As well as gaining a PhD from Nottingham University for this work, he gained several patents for this and other concepts.
The award honours the aerospace and aviation industry’s most outstanding achievements by Australians and is made biennially by the Australian Division of the Society. The Royal Aeronautical Society in Australia provides professional development support to aerospace and aviation practitioners.
Lawrence Hargrave was an Australian pioneer in flying machines whose work was a major influence on 19th Century aviation development, particularly in Europe and some in the USA, including the Wright Brothers.The presentation of the medal and certificate to Dr Baker was made at the Australian International Aerospace Congress dinner at the Melbourne Cricket Ground Members Dining Room on the evening of 10th March by David Forsyth, President of the Australian Division of the Royal Aeronautical Society.
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RAeS Australian Division acts as a Technical Society of Engineers Australia.
