Royal Aeronautical Society - Toulouse Branch

Radia, Inc. has designed its enormous WindRunner to transport turbine blades to remote sites by air. WindRunner flies directly to the destination, up to 1,240 miles (2,000km) away from the hub at an altitude up to 41,000 feet. Radia sees a market for a fleet of WindRunners. In addition to moving turbine blades the company has suggested the aircraft can carry complete F-16 fighters without the need for them to be dismantled. Lundstrom founded Radia in 2016 with a mission to radically expand the scale and economic viability of the onshore wind energy industry. The company says that wind turbine blades of up to 105m in length are desirable, similar to those at some offshore installations and at least 20m longer than any of those that have been installed onshore to date. Taller turbine masts and longer blades produce more energy at up to 30% lower cost, Radia explains. They would triple the economically viable land area in the US for onshore wind. Over one million of these turbines could be built by 2050, the company believes. It calls this scenario GigaWind. Read more: https://lnkd.in/gmnJp6jr

Airbus has just announced the appointment of a new #CHRO. Carmen-Maja Rex will succeed Thierry Baril, effective April 1, 2025. In this role, she will serve as a member of the Executive Committee and report to Airbus CEO Guillaume Faury. The new-elected CHRO currently holds the position of Group Chief Human Resources Officer at Heidelberg Materials, a leading global manufacturer of building materials. Her career began as a consultant at Accenture in 1999, followed by a period with the United Nations starting in 2003. She later joined Siemens in 2010, holding various leadership roles in Human Resources before assuming her current position at Heidelberg Materials in 2020, overseeing a global workforce of 51,000 employees across more than 50 countries. We extend our warmest congratulations to Carmen-Maja Rex on this important appointment. Her expertise, knowledge, and dedication will definitely be invaluable assets to the Airbus's global workforce. #Airbus #HRLeadership #AerospaceIndustry https://lnkd.in/eMQ_5sgG

The Royal Aeronautical Society - Toulouse Branch ✈ invites you to join our upcoming hybrid lecture on “Airbus Story - Insights into People, a Plane and Progress” presented by David Velupillai. 📍 Innovation Centre, B22, Campus 2, Devoitine Entrance, Airbus, Blagnac 📅 Wednesday 11th December 2024 🕒 6.00 pm CET Please register at: https://lnkd.in/eKa3EbvA The Sixties were a golden age of aerospace. As they ended, in 1969, with first flights of the 747 and Concorde, as well as the first moon landing, a new era of supersonic flight and widebodies beckoned. In the same year, Airbus launched its first aircraft, the A300. Airbus’ founders knew that they would face many challenges. They recognised that the way forward lay in European co-operation. And, they sensed that they needed something different to succeed in a competitive market - one dominated by the American companies Boeing, Douglas and Lockheed. Visionaries with determination and courage, Airbus’ leaders succeeded in channelling existing European expertise and resources into creating a new concept – the first large-aircraft with just two engines. They went on to build a modern airliner family. And today, Airbus Aircraft makes half the world’s airliners. David Velupillai, after gaining an Aeronautical Engineering degree from Bristol University in 1976, he worked in the design office at Hawker Siddeley Aviation at Hatfield, in the UK, mainly on the British Aerospace 146. In 1978 he joined the weekly aviation magazine, Flight International, where he reported on aerospace companies and their achievements, both in the UK and around the world. He moved to the Airbus Press Department in 1984, soon after the launch of the A320. Here he was fortunate to be able to follow, and to report on, the journey of the A320 – as well as that of subsequent Airbus aircraft – from inception to entry into airline service and beyond. He later moved into the Airbus Corporate Jets Marketing team. Please join us, all are warmly invited, regardless of membership status. #Airbus #AirbusStory #AerospaceIndustry #RAeSToulouse #RAeS #RAeSLectures

Europe looks to future military rotorcraft The Global Defence Helicopter (GDH) conference, October 22 to 24, 2024, in Warsaw, Poland, brought together defence leaders, military personnel, and industry experts. With a focus on future capabilities, NATO initiatives, and operational challenges, the event attracted more than 700 representatives from over 50 nations. The conference revolved around key issues such as interoperability, modernisation, and sustainability of helicopter fleets, while highlighting the crucial role of rotary-wing aircraft in shaping future military strategies. The conference featured more than 40 keynote speakers, with expert panels, and technical demonstrations, offering insights into the future of military aviation. One of the most significant themes of the conference was the development of next-generation capabilities. Among the highlights was a presentation on NATO’s Next Generation Rotorcraft Capability (NGRC), delivered by Cyril Heckel, NGRC Programme Manager at NATO’s Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA). This initiative aims to develop a modular, scalable helicopter platform by the 2040s that will address the current limitations of existing helicopter fleets. Many NATO members, including countries in Eastern Europe, are still operating older platforms, such as Soviet-era Mi helicopters. Valentin Ivanoski, Republic of North Macedonia, gave an insightful presentation on transitioning from Mi helicopters to Western platforms. “Transitioning from Soviet-era Mi helicopters to Western platforms is critical not only for our national defence but for NATO interoperability in joint missions.” Explore more insights at https://lnkd.in/gcbC4Z4Z

Rotating detonation engines - a technology whose time has come? 'In the latest issue of AEROSPACE - December 2024' #avgeek https://ow.ly/tOSX50UhX6X

The Royal Aeronautical Society - Toulouse Branch ✈ invites you to join our upcoming lecture on “Highlights of the Airbus #A220 from a Pilot’s Perspective” presented by Jens Rücker, Airline Pilot & Flight Instructor – A220 & A320. 📍 Innovation Centre, B22, Campus 2, Devoitine Entrance, Airbus, Blagnac 📅 Wednesday 13th November 2024 🕒 6.00 pm CET Please register at: https://lnkd.in/eKa3EbvA A220 joined Airbus as the smallest single aisle aircraft in 2018, having been produced by Bombardier in Canada some 25 years after the Airbus A320 was created so inevitably has some different systems. Jens Rücker’s life has been steeped in aviation, starting when 16 years old with internships at Airbus, Lufthansa Technick, Air Berlin Technik and other companies continuing over several years. In 2020 when 20, Jens started flying many types of light aircraft in the US and Germany, served 8 months as a paramedic them completed a BSc in Aircraft & Engineering in Osnabruck in 2014. Jens then moved to Bristol in the UK to complete the theory for an ATPL/Ailine Transport Pilots Licence, and remained in Bristol for a Masters Degree in AeroSpace Systems Engineering, while also instructing on light aircraft at The Bristol Aero Club. In 2015 Jens carrieded out his aircraft training for a Commercial Licence with Aerotours, Strausburg, then for 2 years worked as a Research Engineer in Flight Test with German Aerospace Centre, Manching on the Airbus A400M/EF2000. Eurofighter. In 2017 Jens completed the rest of his training for a Multicrew Commercial pilot, obtained an A320 Type Rating with TFC Kaufer, Essen, and flew as First Officer/copilot with Niki Luftfart and and Laudamtion, Vienna.  In 2019 Jens converted to the A220 with a type rating at Lufthansa Flight Training, Frankfurt and joined AirBaltic, in Riga, Latvia, ro fly for a year as FO on the A220 while also being trained as an Flight Simulator Instructor. From 2020 to 2022, Jens completed an MBA in Consulting and Aviation before returning to AirBaltic where he continues to fly as an A200 FO and instructor. Over this period Jens has also performed other functions including as a paramedic, light aircraft instructor in the UK and Germany, project management, managing FSTD/Flight Simulation Training Devices, Dangerous Goods instructor, etc.   All are warmly invited, regardless of membership status. #RAeSToulouse #RAeS #RAeSLectures #Aviation #Aerospace #Pilot #A220 #A320

Airbus Helicopters officially opened its new British helicopter facility at London Oxford (Kidlington) Airport on 13 September, taking the opportunity to also mark 50 years of #UK operations. Although the aerospace giant does not manufacture rotary-wing aircraft in the UK, the £55m facility will be used to service, overhaul and repair helicopters, as well as fitting out airframes acquired by UK-based owners with their retrofitted bespoke interiors, exteriors and mission fits. It also serves as a completions centre for VIP aircraft supplied by the Airbus Corporate Helicopters subsidiary. The opening ceremony saw Airbus Helicopters’ CEO, Bruno Even, the Royal Aeronautical Society - Toulouse Branch President and Chairman of Airbus in the UK, John Harrison, and Minister, Abena Oppong-Asare MP, Parliamentary Secretary for the Cabinet Office with responsibility for national security, resilience, and civil contingencies, deliver speeches. Read full article: https://lnkd.in/d9cJsSHS

How can #AI contribute towards greater sustainability in aviation? 🌍 🍃 ✈️ We're looking forward to discussing this important question at our AI in Civil Aviation and Airports Summit on 19-20 November with Chris Jeeves, Head of Sustainability, Strategy and Performance at EUROCONTROL, who will explain how AI-driven route optimisation can help airlines reduce their fuel consumption by avoiding adverse weather and traffic conditions. ⛈️ #AIinAviation #SustainableAviation #RouteOptimisation #ATM #ATC Book your place to learn more! https://lnkd.in/ewScJcPh

The Royal Aeronautical Society - Toulouse Branch ✈ invites you to join our upcoming hybrid lecture on “How to Integrate an #AI #ML Use Function in an Aviation Platform” presented by Gary Brown, Airbus Commercial, Safety Referent & DOS. The lecture will be in-person and also broadcast online by Google Meet. 📍Innovation Centre, B22, Campus 2, Devoitine Entrance, Airbus, Blagnac 📅 Date: Wednesday 16th October 2024 🕒 Time: 6.00 pm CET Please register at: https://lnkd.in/dn2T_RNF Views on Artificial Intelligence can vary from being a saviour of the human race to possibly achieving total dominance leading to loss of control of our own lives.  The 2024 #NobelPrize in Physics awarded to Professors John Hopfield and Geoffrey Hinton for their contributions to artificial neural networks marks the "first time" a Nobel Prize has recognized advancements in the #IT sector, particularly in the field of #MachineLearning and #ArtificialIntelligence. This acknowledgment highlights the growing importance of AI in both scientific and technological progress. Gary Brown will discuss how AI and ML can improve various facets of aviation, from enhancing safety and operational efficiency to optimizing flight performance and predictive maintenance. Gary holds a Master’s in Safety Critical Engineering from York University. He has served as Aircraft Safety Director for Airbus during the 5-year development of the Beluga XL and as Aircraft Safety Manager on the A400M for 4 years. He contributed to certifying the A321neo XLR and is currently involved with the A350 ULR and freighter projects. As a safety approver, he oversees all systems for Airbus commercial aircraft in Filton, UK, and Getafe, Spain. He also teaches AI, #OEM, and UERF PRA at Cranfield University, speaks on AI safety with CURe, and is a member of various committees, including the SAE G-34 and AE-7F. He is part of the IDCA - International Data Center Authority. All are warmly invited, regardless of membership status. #AIInAviation #MLInAviation #AISafety #AIAircraftSafety #AIandMLIntegration #InnovationInFlight #RAeSToulouse #RAeS #RAeSLectures

Have you booked yet for our President's Conference: #DesignBuildFly, taking place on 15-16 October in London? We're very pleased that Sue Partridge Commercial Aircraft UK Country Manager and Head of #WingofTomorrow Programme, Airbus , will be joining us to share insights into why an initiative like Design, Build, Fly is important and could equip the next generation of #aerospace engineers with key practical skills to build a more resilient workforce. Thanks to Airbus for supporting this key conference! Find out more and book your place: https://lnkd.in/ey27DadR