Showing posts with label Royal Aeronautical Society. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Royal Aeronautical Society. Show all posts

08 August, 2024

Aerospace Partnership between the RAeS, the IET and the IMechE

RAeS on 24 July 2024 formalised an Aerospace Partnership with Terms of Reference (TORs) between IET and IMechE.


This Aerospace Partnership will harmonise the strengths of the three organisations in devising and implementing joined up activities to support the aerospace community and wider aerospace industry.  The partnership will support further collaboration on aerospace engineering initiatives and events, strengthen joint engagement with government and industry, and recognise joined up efforts amongst all parties in supporting the sector

The Aerospace Partnership will re-launch with a joint webinar on cyber security in aviation on 26 September 2024 to discuss the challenges of safeguarding the digital electronic systems that are essential to flight safety, maintenance, air traffic systems and customer experience.
 
Colin Sirett FRAeS, and Chair of the Learned Society Board said:  “The RAeS welcomes this joined up approach with IET and IMechE that will consolidate our existing relations with both institutions and provide a mechanism to enhance our collaborative efforts for the benefit of the entire aerospace engineering ecosystem." 

Airline roundtable delivered by UWE and the RAeS explores gender inequality in the pilot and pilot trainer workforce

A roundtable discussion was held at the Royal Aeronautical Society (RAeS), on the 19 June 2024. This was a collaboration between the RAeS and the University of the West (UWE) of England, led by Professor Susan Durbin FRAeS, Stella Warren and Captain Marnie Munns FRAeS, ATS Human Factors, with the participation of several UK and European airlines. The roundtable was a further reflection on the findings of this global study on the gender inequality in the pilot and pilot trainer workforce and was run in partnership with the Society’s Flight Training Specialist Group.

 

The findings from this report were published in 2022 by the Royal Aeronautical Society with the main themes from the report being presented at the roundtable, including the lack of part-time working opportunities for female pilots at senior levels, a lack of transparency in the recruitment and selection process for pilots and pilot trainers and discussion over sexual harassment and bullying. The updated republished paper can be viewed below.

RAeS Paper - Gender diversity in the pilot trainer role

17 July, 2024

The Royal Aeronautical Society calls on new government to focus on modernisation, sustainability, air power, space, innovation and skills

The new government has a vital role in keeping the UK globally-connected, and secure by maximising the value of UK aerospace and driving sustainability, air power and space, innovation, and upskilling, says the Royal Aeronautical Society (RAeS) in publishing its position paper today.

Aerospace and aviation connect people, business, and countries, whilst generating value for the nation, creating high-value jobs, and contributing to the protection and security of its citizens.

The position paper calls on the government to:
 

1.   Modernise Our Aviation Infrastructure with Safe and Secure, Sustainable, and Innovative Technologies

A strategic approach for safe and secure infrastructure modernisation, focusing on sustainable development and the incorporation of green technologies to meet environmental targets is an imperative.  As we move towards 2025 and beyond, the UK's focus on modernising its aerospace systems and infrastructure to support global mobility will require a collaborative effort. Commercial aviation is at a turning point with consideration being given to alternative solutions and fuels which will inevitably require government support. By leveraging technological innovations, and prioritising safety and sustainability, the UK can maintain its position in the global aerospace arena, ensuring a secure, connected, and prosperous future.

 

2.    Increase Air Power and Space Capability

The government as a priority should urgently address gaps in vital air power capability and accelerate investment in the creation of an agile, resilient, and technologically advanced air force to ensure the UK remains well defended and secure and maintains its role in supporting global security. It is essential for the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) to move forward at pace. Space exploration and satellite technology are also of vital strategic importance for national security, global telecommunications, and Earth observation. The Government should support UK growth in this sector and its integration with the global space economy. The government cannot afford to neglect air power and space defence considering the growing geo-political challenges facing the world over the coming decade.

 

3.    Accelerate Regulatory Frameworks for Future Flight Technology

The government should accelerate the development of new legal and regulatory frameworks with the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), as well as maintaining access to EU frameworks through the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). Creating flexible, forward-looking regulatory frameworks will be paramount in harnessing the potential of future flight technologies. This approach will ensure the UK's airspace remains safe, competitive, and conducive to innovation, positioning the country as a leader in the next generation of aviation and aerospace development.


4.    Maximise Economic Benefits

Investment in aerospace, aviation, and space remains vital for the UK’s economic growth and national security. An investment-friendly environment should include regulatory stability, tax incentives, and streamlined procurement processes. The government will need to sustain, multi-year investment in industry to support the UK’s global competitiveness. Any new strategic approach by the government should be underpinned by providing an attractive investment environment, addressing on-going workforce shortages, and putting the UK on a more resilient, competitive footing.


5.    Develop Future and Existing Talent

To maintain a steady stream of skilled personnel into the sector, including pilots and engineers, the government should ensure that vocational training and STEM is accessible to everyone to prepare the next generation of aerospace engineers, technicians, and scientists. This includes expanding apprenticeship programs, enhancing university-industry collaboration, and ensuring diversity and inclusion within the workforce through professional careers advice and support in schools from an early age to industrial placements with technical colleges and universities. The government can play a stronger coordinating role to maximise the initiatives and programmes in addressing the current skills gap. 
 

Setting out the Society’s priorities for the new government RAeS Chief Executive, David Edwards FRAeS said:   “From the outset the new government should continue to invest in essential air power capability, enable the sustainable growth of aviation through research with alternative fuels, invest in new airport infrastructure and airspace modernisation, optimise the economic potential of future flight vehicles and satellite and space technology, and help maintain a steady flow of diverse talent in the industry. 

With the active support from and in partnership with the government the aerospace sector can help achieve these goals and assure the UK’s leading position in air connectivity, maintaining international competitiveness and keeping the country secure.

The Royal Aeronautical Society looks forward to working with the new government to realise the full potential of the sector.”





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10 May, 2024

His Majesty King Charles III announced as Patron of the Royal Aeronautical Society

The Royal Aeronautical Society is honoured to announce that His Majesty King Charles III has graciously agreed to become our Patron. His Majesty’s patronage underscores the Society’s commitment to the advancement of aeronautical art, science, and engineering around the world.

The Society are proud of our longstanding Royal association over the last century. In 1918 King George V awarded the “Royal” prefix to the Aeronautical Society of Great Britain, which became the Royal Aeronautical Society. In 1920 Prince Albert, the Duke of York, later King George VI, became the Society’s Patron. Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II then assumed the role from her father. In 1966 HRH the Duke of Edinburgh became the Society’s Honorary President for the Society’s Centenary Year, followed in 2016 by the then Prince of Wales in the same role for the Society's 150th anniversary.



The Royal Aeronautical Society would like to thank His Majesty King Charles III for continuing to support and recognise the work of the Society across the fields of Aerospace, Aviation and Space.

The Society is the only global organisation serving the entire aviation and aerospace community as both a learned society and a professional engineering institution. As such, the RAeS is independent, evidence-based and authoritative, relying on a body of knowledge going back more than 150 years.





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09 May, 2024

David Chinn FRAeS elected President of the Royal Aeronautical Society

The Royal Aeronautical Society has announced David Chinn, FRAeS as new President of the Society at its AGM on 9 May 2024.
The AGM also elected Richard Gearing FRAeS as President-Elect of the Society.




The President provides leadership of the Council and of the Society in pursuit of its objectives. They uphold the values, and reputation of the Society as well as the interests of the members. The President is an ambassador of the Society representing it at key engagements, influencing the global standing of the Society in furthering the advancement of aeronautical art, science, and engineering.

"It is an honour to take over as President of the Royal Aeronautical Society for 2024-25. I am looking forward to meeting as many members as I can in the course of the next year.

In my year as President my themes will focus on:

Design Build Fly – encouraging the next generation to bring together the art and science of aeronautics in the spirit of the Charter of the Society. This idea is inspired by the German Akaflieg movement, and the community which has developed around it.

Supporting the professionalisation of space – with the growth of the space sector in the UK, the Society has a leading role to play in its professionalisation and recognition in the same way as it has done for the aeronautical community over the last century.

Finally, supporting the Society’s engagement in the sustainable aviation debate which remains central for the long-term activity of the Society.

I look forward to engaging with you all over the next year." – David Chinn FRAeS, President of the Royal Aeronautical Society.

04 May, 2024

The Royal Aeronautical Society President’s Briefing Paper - Leading the Next Evolution in Aviation Safety

The Royal Aeronautical Society has published a breakthrough President’s Briefing paper on shaping the future of aviation safety with electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing (eVTOL) aircraft. In a novel and innovative approach, this paper outlines hypothetical scenarios that anticipate future challenges, integrates enduring lessons from traditional aviation, and proposes strategic recommendations to enhance safety in this rapidly evolving field.


The critical and timely importance of this ‘forward-thinking’ paper, in forecasting the safety challenges ahead, cannot be underestimated and is the first time that future eVTOL safety has been addressed in such a manner. The established aerospace industry, with airworthiness and safety in its DNA, should continue to transfer this safety culture to the emerging AAM sector for the benefit of all. With this ground-breaking paper analysing plausible and realistic accident scenarios, developed by a group of global experts, we aim to stimulate discussion, shape the debate and ultimately help make the introduction of AAM as safe as possible.


Kerissa Khan, President, Royal Aeronautical Society said:  “As aviation evolves with innovations in electrification, digitalisation, and automation, it unlocks novel opportunities to connect people, transport goods, and deliver services more sustainably and efficiently across congested and remote areas. To fully realise the social and economic benefits, safety must remain the top priority. The Royal Aeronautical Society remains committed to its mission of advancing flight safety. This paper not only emphasises the importance of industry-led collaboration and continuous improvement in safety practices, but also introduces a predictive safety management approach that includes 'pre-mortem' analysis to foresee and mitigate potential risks, guiding the aviation sector towards a safer future for all.”



David Edwards, Chief Executive, Royal Aeronautical Society said:   "The Royal Aeronautical Society welcomes this pioneering paper led by our President, heralding a new chapter in aerospace advancement focusing on Advanced Air Mobility (AAM). As we approach an era marked by groundbreaking developments in electric and autonomous flight technologies, we must continue to examine the intersection of next-generation air mobility and established aviation framework"

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The Society is the only global organisation serving the entire aviation, aerospace, and space communities as both a learned society and a professional engineering institution. As such, the RAeS is independent, evidence-based and authoritative, relying on a body of knowledge going back more than 150 years. We play a leading role in influencing opinion on aviation and aerospace matters through various means including our publications, social media profile, interaction with Government and an extensive events programme. 

23 April, 2024

The Royal Aeronautical Society publishes paper on the Mental Health Challenge in Civil Aviation

The Royal Aeronautical Society (RAeS) has published a paper on the mental health challenge to civil aviation safety, covering both psychosocial risk management and mental health. The paper explores the impact that mental health in aviation currently has within civil aviation.

The Royal Aeronautical Society’s Human Factors Wellbeing Working Group (HFW WG) paper highlights key areas of the civil aviation ‘eco-system’ that would be positively impacted by a coherent approach to managing and mitigating staff mental health and wellbeing.


Poor mental health is now an acknowledged safety risk factor in civil aviation, from Germanwings in 2015 through to Alaska Airlines in 2023, the issue in the mental wellbeing of safety-critical staff has become an issue for the industry. One key question relating to this challenge is to what extent can the risk be monitored and quantified by means of the psychological assessment of safety-critical staff to inform safety management strategies.

The view of the HFW WG is that an approach based on the information outlined in this paper could provide a positive ’tailwind’ for the industry addressing the challenges in the current environment.

The purpose of this paper is to contribute to the development of a response to the emerging recognition of the safety risk posed by the mental health and wellbeing of all civil aviation personnel. In addition, the paper provides recommendations and psychosocial risk management systems that can be implemented into current organisational structures to prevent the degradation of staff mental health and wellbeing.

12 April, 2024

The Royal Aeronautical Society has published three Air Traffic Management papers to support the future development of aviation

The Royal Aeronautical Society have published three briefing papers which cover Air Traffic Control Staffing in the UK, GNSS Services supporting the UK and ATM/ASM Contribution to Net Zero and Climate Change Issues.

The papers published by the Air Traffic Management Specialist Group aim to raise awareness of issues that are facing the UK aviation industry following our departure from EASA and in light of increased levels of air traffic post Covid. These areas need to be addressed to ensure the UK aviation industry meets the demands of future air travel, and develops the UK airspace structure towards a more sustainable and integrated airspace.

The ‘Air Traffic Control Staffing’ paper highlights that it is not currently possible for ATCO trained outside the UK, or UK military licensed ATCOs, to work in the UK without completing the entire basic training, regardless of previous experience. The paper recommends a challenge to current thinking for ‘on the job’ processes and to emphasise the benefits from the increased use of simulation in the ATCO training process.


The ‘GNSS services supporting the UK’ paper discusses issues for the UK civil aviation industry in which the UK, pre-EU Exit, had a strategic roadmap for GNSS based on ICAO developments and supported through our membership of both the EU Galileo and EGNOS space programmes. This included the successful rollout of stabilised 3-Dimensional instrument approaches down to CAT I minima at 18 aerodromes in the UK. The EU Exit has removed this capability.

The final paper ‘ATM/ASM Contribution to Net Zero and Climate Change Issues’ highlights the need for the government to set clear priorities for action that place environmental improvements in the ATM/ASM arena. The paper recommends that all ATM changes must demonstrate measurable improvements in terms of 3-D performance (climb /descent profiles) or track miles flown or, at least, no net increase in terms of CO2 (or equivalent) emissions.

Effective international collaboration will be required to deliver all these changes at both the regional and global level. The Society aims to promote the need for these changes to support the future development of UK aviation, aerospace and space.


The three papers can be found at the links below:


RAeS Chief Executive David Edwards said: “These Royal Aeronautical Society papers highlight the challenges that Covid and the UK’s exit from EASA has had on our industry, specifically in ATM and Airspace. These papers aim to educate and promote that the industry must look to address the concerns of our specialists to ensure we have an aviation industry which is fit for purpose, sustainable and safe. It is of paramount importance that we allow the UK to prosper post EASA membership in aviation, aerospace and space industries.


The Society has promoted its key paper on Contrail Management, published in 2023, which is a critical area of focus in reaching industry Net Zero targets by 2050. However, there is no one solution to making aviation sustainable. Airspace modernisation including ATM/ASM is crucially important in enabling the aviation industry to thrive in a sustainable way.”





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18 December, 2023

The Royal Aeronautical Society has announced its 2023 winners.

The Royal Aeronautical Society is proud to announce the 2023 winners of the global aerospace community’s most prestigious and long-standing awards honouring achievement and innovation.


The Society’s Awards Ceremony, held in London yesterday evening [Thursday 14th December], recognises and celebrates individuals and teams who have made an exceptional contribution in the aerospace, aviation or space industries, whether it is for an outstanding achievement, a major technical innovation, exceptional leadership or for work that will further advance the industry.


Kerissa Khan MRAeS, President of the Royal Aeronautical Society said:


“The Royal Aeronautical Society Honours, Medals and Awards are the most prestigious and long-standing recognition of innovation and excellence in aerospace, aviation and space globally. The RAeS has been honouring pioneers of flight since Wilbur and Orville Wright received the Society’s first Gold medal for completing the first successful powered heavier than air flight. This month, as we celebrate the 120th anniversary of this monumental achievement, we are especially proud to continue the annual tradition of honouring the most outstanding contributions from teams and individuals. The achievements of this year’s award winners showcase the ongoing ingenuity and commitment to excellence that exist across the breadth of our global aerospace, aviation and space industries. We are incredibly pleased to congratulate them on their remarkable accomplishments and success. "


Full list of 2023 honours, medals and awards

04 May, 2023

Kerissa Khan MRAeS elected President of the Royal Aeronautical Society

The Royal Aeronautical Society has confirmed that Kerissa Khan MRAeS has taken over as President of the Society at its AGM on 4 May 2023.

The AGM also elected David Chinn as President-Elect.

The President provides leadership of the Council and of the Society in pursuit of its objectives. They uphold the values, and reputation of the Society as well as the interests of the members. The President is an ambassador of the Society representing it at key engagements, influencing the global standing of the Society in furthering the advancement of aeronautical art, science and engineering.


“We are entering an exciting new era for aerospace, aviation and space innovation. We are the transformation generation pioneering novel ways to fly. This pioneering spirit is the foundation that the Royal Aeronautical Society has been built upon, bringing together the best innovators, disrupters, researchers and inventors who dared to make flight possible. The Royal Aeronautical Society has been leading the way since 1866, at the heart of the community that empowered the first flight by the Wright Brothers and the invention of the jet engine by Sir Frank Whittle, sparking the first and second aviation revolutions respectively. It is an honour and a privilege as President to stand on the shoulders of giants to convene and lead this global community at the forefront of the third revolution in flight. Once again, we will dare to make flight possible - sustainable, accessible and inclusive flight that addresses the challenges we all face today.” – Kerissa Khan MRAeS, President of the Royal Aeronautical Society.

24 April, 2023

The Royal Aeronautical Society launches its Contrails and Contrail Management Briefing Paper

The Royal Aeronautical Society launched its Contrails and Contrail Management Briefing Paper at the Farnborough International Sustainable Skies World Summit last week.


The paper published by the Greener By Design specialist group aims to raise awareness of contrails, defining what they are and the impact they have on aviation’s effective radiative forcing. Currently contrails and contrail cirrus are responsible for half of aviation’s effective radiative forcing.

The implementation of contrail management systems could be achieved in a matter of years, not decades, and it is important that aviation’s stakeholders seize this opportunity now.

The paper provides recommendations for industry, regulators and government to work together to mitigate contrails using methods that can help enable the aviation industry to reach is Net Zero targets by 2050. Contrail management provides an opportunity to radically reduce aviation’s effective radiative forcing, offsetting some, if not all, of the effects of both CO2 and NOx and begin reducing aviation’s climate impact in the very near future.

RAeS CEO David Edwards said: “This Royal Aeronautical Society paper highlights the effects of contrails on the climate and demonstrates that Contrail Management is a critical area of focus in reaching our industry Net Zero targets by 2050. Whilst there is no one solution to making aviation sustainable, all areas such as Sustainable Aviation Fuel, new propulsion power sources and Airspace modernisation need to be all part of the response. The great benefit of Contrail Management is that it can be implemented in a matter of years, contributing to reducing aviation’s climate effect very quickly.

The Society is the only global organisation serving the entire aviation, aerospace, and space communities as both a learned society and a professional engineering institution. As such, the RAeS is independent, evidence-based and authoritative, relying on a body of knowledge going back more than 150 years.




The paper can be found on the Royal Aeronautical Society website: https://www.aerosociety.com/media/20657/contrails-and-contrail-management-briefing-paper.pdf


15 February, 2023

Royal Air Force Air Cadets and Royal Aeronautical Society sign co-operation agreement

The Royal Air Force Air Cadets (RAFAC) and the Royal Aeronautical Society (RAeS) are pleased to announce the signing of a Co-operation Agreement between the two organisations to formalise their historic relationship.

As part of the Agreement, cadet graduates of the RAFAC Qualified Aerospace Instructors Course (QAIC) and other Scholarships will receive free Affiliate membership of the RAeS, and all Cadet Forces Adult Volunteers (CFAV) will be able to join the RAeS with no application fee.

Each year, two QAIC graduates will be given places on the RAeS Young Persons Committee, allowing for a flow of knowledge and ideas between the two organisations at the next generation level allowing for more opportunities to collaborate and work together on areas such as sustainability, talent attraction and retention as well as the future shape of the Society in the decades ahead.

All members of the Society, including Affiliates, gain access to careers advice together with support for a variety of training through the Aeroversity platform. The Society also helps with education choices, apprenticeships and degree programmes.

09 February, 2023

DfT Reach for the Sky Challenge Fund awards the RAeS with funding for Falcon 2

DfT Reach for the Sky Challenge Fund awards the RAeS with funding for Falcon 2
Raising the profile of Inclusive Skies of Tomorrow, through outreach


The Royal Aeronautical Society on 1 February 2023 were announced as one of 11 recipients of the ‘Reach for the Sky Challenge Fund’ by the Department of Transport (DFT) and the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) for the Falcon 2 STEM outreach programme.

The Royal Aeronautical Society (RAeS) has inspired many generations of aviation, aerospace and space enthusiasts into various careers. The RAeS aims to inspire younger generations through a variety of STEM education and outreach programmes. For many the dream to fly or undertake a career in aviation and engineering are not easy. Promoting an inclusive aviation and aerospace industry of tomorrow, raising awareness of disabilities and accessibility needs is what the RAeS most recent outreach programme Falcon 2 aims to achieve.

The Falcon 2 programme is a STEM outreach challenge for young students aged 6-19 years. The programme provides an opportunity for underrepresented groups, especially students with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities, to design, conceptualise and build an accessible mobile flight simulator as well as increasing disability awareness. The aim of Falcon 2 is to create a learning platform for all students to collaborate with their peers to address accessibility issues in the aviation and aerospace industry, paving a way for the future workforce to provide unique solutions to current limitations, all whilst experiencing the wonder of flight.



30 November, 2022

Celebrating industry success at the Royal Aeronautical Society........the 2022 honours, medals and awards.

The Royal Aeronautical Society has announced the 2022 winners of the global aerospace community’s most prestigious and long-standing awards honouring achievement and innovation.

The awards celebration, held in London on Monday 28 November 2022, saw leaders in aviation, aerospace and space recognised for their significant contributions to industry and education in areas of leadership, high-speed propulsion systems, fluid dynamics and aerodynamics among others..

Peter Round FRAeS, President of the Royal Aeronautical Society said: “The RAeS Awards offers an opportunity to recognise and celebrate outstanding contributions from senior executives and future leaders within engineering, defence, flight operations, training, space, research and education annually. The achievements of this year’s award winners showcase the ongoing innovation and commitment to excellence that exists across the breadth of our global aerospace, aviation and space industries and we congratulate them on their accomplishments and success.”



Honorary Fellowships mark the world’s highest distinction for aerospace achievement, awarded only for the most outstanding contributions to the aerospace profession.

Honorary Fellowship and Geoffrey Pardoe Space Award

Mr Colin Paynter, Former Managing Director of Airbus Defence & Space. Mr Paynter is awarded for his leadership of the UK’s space industry, maintaining it as a powerful force in Europe and in support of the UK’s space priorities which he has been hugely influential in setting during the turbulent period of the last two decades.

Honorary Fellows

Professor Jonathan Cooper FRAeS, Airbus Royal Academy of Engineering Sir George White Professor of Aerospace Engineering, University of Bristol. Professor Cooper is awarded Honorary Fellowship for more than 3 decades of remarkable contributions and service to education in the UK and over 50 projects, many in conjunction with aerospace manufacturers across the world.

Mr Tewolde Gebremariam, former Group CEO of Ethiopian Airlines Group, now at Delta Airlines as Senior Strategic Advisor. Mr Gebremariam is awarded Honorary Fellowship for his devotion in the development of aviation and the growth of the most profitable airline in Africa.

Professor Darrell Pepper FRAeS, Professor of Mechanical Engineering of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Professor Pepper is awarded Honorary Fellowship for his internationally recognised work in the areas of high-speed propulsion systems, fluid dynamics and aerodynamics.

Honorary Companions are awarded for rendering distinctive and notably meritorious service to the aerospace profession.


Mr Michael Turner, President of Guild of Aviation Artists, awarded for his achievements as a celebrated aviation artist depicting the advancement of science and engineering to create aviation art.

Gold Medal

Mr Alan Newby MSc FREng FIMechE FRAeS, Director Aerospace Technology and Future Programmes and Technology – Rolls-Royce plc, is awarded the Society’s Gold Medal for his major contribution to the family of Rolls-Royce Trent engines for the Boeing 787, Airbus A350 and A330 NEO aircraft and to the definition of the company’s product and technology strategy.

Silver Medal

Professor Clyde Warsop is awarded the Society’s Silver Medal for initiating the project that provided the first flight demonstration of Circulation Control for manoeuvre control of an aircraft in flight (DEMON) and for continuing to collaborate, advance and innovate flow control technologies.

Bronze Medal and Flight Simulation Medal

Mr Antony Hunt FRAeS is awarded both the Society’s Bronze Medal and the Flight Simulation Medal for radically changing the way the Original Equipment Manufacturer’s (OEM) simulator data is delivered to Training Device Manufacturers (TDM) and customers by providing a single performance and systems model across all training devices.

Bronze Medal

Dr Peter J Downer, UK Ministry of Defence, is awarded the Society’s Bronze Medal for leading the airspace integration of the RAF’s next generation Remotely Piloted Air System, PROTECTOR, achieving a number of world firsts.

Team Medals are awarded for significant contributions to the advancement of aerospace art, science and engineering.

Gold Medal

Ingenuity - NASA’s Ingenuity Mars Helicopter team is awarded the Society’s Gold Medal for the advancement of aerodynamics and aerial robots for planetary science through the design, development, and fabrication of the Ingenuity Mars Helicopter Technology Demonstrator.

Silver Medal

FlyZero, for its world leading research project on zero-carbon emissions in large commercial aircraft.

Project ACCEL, The Electro-Flight team in partnership with Rolls-Royce under the project title ACCEL Spirit of Innovation, created the powerplant and airframe for an attempt at breaking the world speed record for electric powered aircraft.

Project Telstar, for their innovative introduction of Aireon space-based ADS-B technology, safely enabling real-time surveillance and safely reducing minimum separation standards to increase access to the most fuel efficient trajectories, making flight operations within the world's busiest oceanic airspace safer, more predictable, more fuel efficient and more environmentally sustainable for all.


Flight Operations Specialist Group Award

Number 99 Squadron Flight Operations, a small team of five responsible for organising the emergent evacuation of over 10,000 persons by UK C-17 force from Afghanistan.

Society Specialist Awards are conferred on individuals or teams in well-established professional disciplines. These awards recognise advances, innovation, excellence and long service that has made a significant impact.

Roger Green Human Factors Medal

Dr Anne Isaac, Director of Haumaru UK Ltd. and Chair of the RAeS Human Factors ATC Sub-group

Flight Operations Medal

Air Commodore Dai Whittingham FRAeS, CEO of UK Flight Safety Committee, a longstanding and active member of RAeS Flight Operation Specialist Group.

RP Alston Medal

Mr Andrew Roberts CEng MRAeS, Test Director for ACCEL Ground and Flight Test

Aeronautical Heritage Specialist Group Award

Mr Tony Buttler MA AMRAeS, distinguished metallurgist and aviation historian

Space Specialist Group Award

Dr Rachana Bhatawdekar, postdoctoral Research Fellow in the Directorate of Science at the European Space Agency’s European Space Research and Technology Centre (ESA ESTEC)

Women and Aviation Aerospace Committee Specialist Group Award

Professor Lucy Rogers, FREng, FIET, independent innovation consultant and Visiting Professor of Engineering: Creativity and Communications at Brunel University, London


Young Persons’ Awards recognise individual achievement and promise.


Young Person’s Achievement Award

Dr Duc H. Nguyen AMRAeS FHEA, Research & Teaching Associate of the University of Bristol, for furthering aerospace science.

Young Person’s Achievement Commendation

Mr Adam Conner MEng AMRAeS, Junior Engineer of Atkins, a key figure in the Atkins Future of Flight market, covering the Sustainable Aviation and Advanced Air Mobility industries.

Miss Lucy Crabb, Human Factors Engineer, BAE Systems – AIR.

Mr Travis Ludlow, on 13 July 2021 Travis became the youngest pilot to circumnavigate the world at the age of 18.

Miss Zara Rutherford, the youngest female pilot to circumnavigate the world at the age of 19.

Alan Marsh Award

Mr Thomas Magowan, Senior Structural Dynamics Analyst of Leonardo Helicopters.

Herbert le Sueur Award

Mr Albert Ilunga, Design and Certification Engineer of 2Excel Aviation Ltd.

N E Rowe Medal — 22 to 30 Age Group

Mr Barnaby Pine Meng, for his paper titled “A Cool Journey to net Zero – A Review of Superconductor Application in Decarbonising Aviation”

N E Rowe Medal — Under 22 Age Group

Miss Amelia Weaver, for her paper title “The Foundations to My Future – My Outstanding Apprenticeship”.

Other Award

Sir Ralph Robins Medal

Ms Sacha Wright MSc MRAeS, Head of Design Organisation of 2Excel Aviation Ltd.

2021 Written Paper Prizes are awarded annually for the best papers published in The Aeronautical Journal by the Society during the previous calendar year.

Silver Award

A. Filippone, B. Parkes and N. Bojdo for their paper titled: ‘Prediction of aircraft engine emissions using ADS-B flight data’

Bronze Award

J. Huete, D. Nalianda and P. Pilidis for their paper titled “Propulsion system integration for a first-generation hydrogen civil airliner?”

J.D. Hoyos and J.P. Alvarado and J.H. Jiménez for their paper titled “Propeller aerodynamic optimisation to minimise energy consumption for electric fixed-wing aircraft”

Young Person’s

J Hoole, et al for their paper titled ‘Landing Gear Ground Manoeuvre Statistics from Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast Transponder Data’.

Journal of Aeronautical History Written Paper Prize is awarded annually to the paper published in the Journal of Aeronautical History during the preceding calendar year that is most likely to engage and excite the widest possible community of professional and other interest and thus to exemplify the best in terms of communicating aerospace history in order to inspire future developments.

S C Liddle for his paper titled ‘Pearcey, Newby, and the Vulcan’







24 September, 2022

Schools, colleges, learners and youth groups invited to take part in programme to build accessible flight simulator.......

The Royal Aeronautical Society (RAeS) has launched a new competition, Falcon 2, aimed at young people aged 6-19 to design and build an accessible mobile flight simulator.

The Falcon 2 programme builds on the success of the previous RAeS build-a-plane competition which was designed to enable young people to develop and demonstrate key skills which future employers and training providers look for and to learn more about opportunities in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) and aviation.

Alongside the Royal Aeronautical Society, the partners in Falcon 2 are Boeing, the disabled flying charity, Aerobility, and Middlesex University.


We are today inviting young people aged 6-19 to use their science and engineering skills to design, develop and build a real-life mobile flight simulator which will travel to Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) schools and public events around the UK to introduce people from all backgrounds to the wonder of flight.

For many people, the opportunity to fly a plane may seem impossible, particularly to those with disabilities. However, Aerobility has developed a range of programmes and aircraft adaptations that allow many disabled people to do just that – learning to fly an aircraft and gain their pilot’s licence, providing the ultimate feeling of freedom, pride and independence.

The brochure with more details is available here

06 May, 2022

The Royal Aeronautical Society gets a new President.....

The Royal Aeronautical Society is pleased to announce that Air Commodore Peter Round FRAeS has taken over as President of the Society at its AGM on 4 May 2022.

The AGM also elected Karissa Khan MRAeS as President-Elect and she will take over the office in 2023.

The President provides leadership of the Council and of the Society in pursuit of its objectives. He or she upholds the values, and reputation of the Society as well as the interests of the members. The President is an ambassador of the Society representing it at key engagements, influencing the global standing of the Society in furthering the advancement of aeronautical art, science and engineering.

07 March, 2022

“Major action needed” says Royal Aeronautical Society - new report on discrimination and lack of diversity in airline training

A major report launched today shines a light on the significant problem of gender discrimination and the lack of gender diversity amongst pilots in the airline industry with a specific focus on the airline pilot trainer role. 

The joint report by the Royal Aeronautical Society (RAeS) and the University of the West of England (UWE Bristol) considered survey responses from more than 700 airline pilots worldwide, 750 personal testimonials and eight hours of focus groups. 

The study aimed to investigate why so few pilot trainers are female and explore the barriers to female pilot career progression.

While women make up only 5.26% of the global pilot workforce, the numbers of female pilot trainers are even worse. For example, in the UK just 0.9% of Type Rating Examiners (TREs), a type of airline trainer, are women (CAA, 2022).

Among the report’s major findings were some extremely concerning reports of overt and covert sexism and sexual harassment towards women, including frequent reports of an “old boys’ network” and a lack of female role models and mentors. 

Structural barriers identified include: a lack of transparency around recruitment and selection; and the vast majority of airlines and training organisations refusing to allow pilot trainers to work part-time, which has a disproportionate effect on women.

In addition, 42% of women in the survey reported that they had been treated differently at work and 30% that they had been discriminated against, due to their gender. 

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