Bristol Branch Newsletter June 2005

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Chairman’s Welcome As the branch season draws towards a close, it is again my pleasure to welcome you to the latest edition of our newsletter. We were delighted to receive so much positive feedback last time round and I hope you continue to enjoy our restyled format, combining the latest branch news with major aerospace stories from our region. It is with much pride that I look back over our lecture season, culminating very recently in our keynote Barnwell lecture, which this year addressed the fascinating potential for a near term revolution in mass market, affordable space tourism. You will find a review of the event in this newsletter and I would like to add my personal thanks to David Ashford, Director of Bristol Left to right: Iain Gray (Branch President), David Ashford (Director of Bristol Space Planes), Conrad Banks (Branch Chairman) at the Barnwell Lecture involved though, I think it highlights the health and strength of the Aerospace industry, especially here in the South West. I hope you will find something of interest inside and I look forward to meeting as many of you as possible at one of our future events. Conrad Banks MRAeS, Branch Chairman

Bristol Space Planes Take off at MoD – see page 4 Spaceplanes ltd, for delivering such an interesting and In this issue: thought provoking lecture. Visits & Lectures 2 Plans are already well underway for next year’s programme, and details of the first two lectures are Members News 3 described overleaf. They include a first hand view of Barnwell Lecture – Spaceflight revolution 4 the A380 flight test programme, offering an early Boeing 787 Dreamliner 6 highlight in our season. I am sure that many of you are associated with the A380 programme, and images of Oval Office in the sky 7 the first flight must have triggered great emotions of Branch News & Business 8 pride and excitement. Even for those of us not directly

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Next Lectures: Recent visits: 6pm Thursday 30th June 2005 RAF HENDON NE Rowe Competition Members took advantage of the guided Young Aerospace Engineers presentation tours conducted by flight crew from WW2, evening. of one of the Nation’s most major aircraft Monday 19th September 2005 collections, which now includes the Indonesian tsunami – Aviation operation “Milestones of Flight” gallery. John Cunningham, International Warehouse AIRBUS UK – FILTON manager & international delegate, Red Cross. Our very own Henry Ashton from the Bristol Tuesday 18th October 2005 Branch Committee was one of our hosts A380 Flight Tests: Preparing the first flights during the visit to Airbus. The visit included Fernando Alonso, VP Flight Test, Airbus UK. a look at the new composite materials factory, where we viewed the autoclaves, Lectures take place in Rm1, BAWA, Southmead Rd, Filton specimens and laying up area, and a visit to For queries concerning the lecture programme, contact the A380 Landing Gear test rig. Members Alicia Kim, [email protected], Tel: 01225 383 375 attending the airbus visit very kindly made donations, over £200 was sent up to the Forthcoming branch visits: Hamilton Place Library Restoration Appeal. PARIS AIR SHOW – 17th JUNE – 4 day trip with 2 days at the airshow. Admission is 12 Euros and includes admission to Museum of Air. Coach, ferry and B&B accommodation is £160 each. DUXFORD– 9th&10th JULY– Flying Legends airshow. ROLLS ROYCE, PATCHWAY – JULY – Tour to include: foundry where they are casting turbine blades for the Trent 900, MT30 test bed SHUTTLEWORTH TRUST – 7th AUGUST – Victory in Japan Airshow & 2nd OCTOBER – Autumn Airshow HOLLAND - 21st OCTOBER – Cost £200. 5 days DUXFORD – VICTORY IN EUROPE B&B. Destinations include Soesterberg, the ANNIVERSARY AIRSHOW Aviondrome and ESA for the Space Expo. Of special interest was the progress being COSFORD Aircraft restoration workshop and made on the Bristol Beaufighter, or lack of it BOULTON & PAUL – 4th NOVEMBER - its progress is being held back through shortage of funds and difficulty in finding If you are interested in joining any of these, call John Elver suitable parts. The highlight of the flying on 07868 712 522 or 07868 848 523 display was the Bristol powered Seafury, the Harrier and the Catalina flying boat. Young member activities John Elver, MRAeS

CONCORDE – AUGUST – Tour of concorde at Filton The young members section of the Bristol RNAS YEOVILTON INTERNATIONAL AIR DAY- 17TH Branch aims to provide aerospace related SEPTEMBER –tickets £16 in advance. Coach TBD visits, events & socials for young members If you are interested, contact William Beaumont in the Bristol area. New members welcome. [email protected], Tel: 0117 936 2958

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Young members news Other Members News A cold dark February morning, a bus full of Conrad Banks, our Bristol’s aeronautical future made its way to chairman became a Hamilton Place for the society’s annual young proud father for the first members conference “Does Size Matter?”. time on March 15th. The conference provided an opportunity for the Isabel Olivia entered the strong Bristol contingent to meet young world at a healthy 8lb engineers from across the UK. 3oz and has thrived ever since. Apparently, her favourite toy is a red fabric airplane Iain Gray, Managing (complete with rattle), so it looks as though Director of Airbus UK, a future recruit to the branch is guaranteed! opened the presentations to Philip Atcliff, much loved by his students at answer the question UWE is departing the south for the rainy “Does Size matter” north to take up a post as Senior lecturer – Airbus A380 discussing the Aerodynamics at Salford University. challenges of producing very large aircraft and Andrew Mavin, a valuable member of the the relevance of large capacity aircraft in future Barnwell organisation team has moved to world aviation. BAESYSTEMS Warton where he is Typhoon Continuing the theme, Ric Parker of Rolls-Royce Project Control Manager, Systems Delivery discussed the evolving design philosophy of aero Letters to the editor: engine design as passenger miles increase into the future. The T900 has been designed with Thank you to Royston G. W. Hakhaway C.Eng for the environmental impact as a top concern. interesting topic for debate proposed below: Fresh from his Sky News Bulletin, The modern apprenticeships compared to fifty Mike Toms gave an insight into years ago. the ever-expanding world of Todays apprentices have had the benefit of British airports. Delegates were the original guilds of crafts from the 15th and privileged to receive breaking 16th centuries combined with the technology news of the Government’s of the 21st century. southeast airport expansion One could argue in favour of the plans. advantaged young people of today, but Chairman of the Engineering Council and apprentices of previous decades would President of the RAeS, Sir Colin Terry’s argue their case based on the enthusiasm for all things aerospace is infectious entrepreneurial skills which their generation and his talk on the road to challenge, excitement created. and reward inspired delegates to continue to Typically, De Havilland student apprentices push the boundaries of technology. had the advantage over other aircraft training schools because the company had The final presentation, by Barry Trimmer of the foresight to move into the academic Thales described the challenges facing free flight need before most others, although Miles and the integration of UAVs into future airspace. Aircraft and Fairey Aviation soon followed An opportunity for the young members to the De Havilland initiative. question the British (and world) industry leaders Here we have a basis for a debate between proved the highlight of the day. present members versus past members. Adam Dobson, INBIS Peta Williams, B2 NTC, Airbus UK, Filton BS99 7AR

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BARNWELL LECTURE SPACEFLIGHT REVOLUTION

This flagship lecture of the Bristol Branch held long life rocket engines. Although some on 26th May 2005, was again kindly hosted by aircraft projects involving rocket propulsion MoD, Abbey Wood. Conrad Banks, Branch came very close to going into service Chairman welcomed about 200 members and factors other than the technology caused guests including distinguished visitors them to be shelved. from RAeS HQ and the MoD. He “EVERY TIME THE He showed a number of introduced David Ashford*, Director of SPACE SHUTTLE IS Spaceplane projects from Bristol Spaceplanes Limited to give his LAUNCHED, A CREW OF around the world going lecture – Spaceflight Revolution. SEVEN ARE FLIGHT back to the 1960’s and 1970’s which could have Showing the true pioneering spirit of TESTING A MISSILE!” those who have advanced the resulted in fully re-useable aerospace profession he circumvented the vehicles – an essential for low cost space gremlins in the IT systems to give his usual access and said that, in his view NASA had riveting demonstration that cheap access to made the wrong decision when, faced with space is well within our grasp if we can budget limitations, they had opted to overcome the obstacle of fixed mind-sets and maintain the launch capacity of the Shuttle access to modest development funding. and opt for a part expendable missile technology rather than going for a smaller Heritage of space planes & rockets aircraft type solution. Starting at the Ascender – Spacecab - Spacebus immediate post WWII years he During his lecture David showed a DVD of showed with many computer simulations and a radio controlled examples, model of the Bristol Spaceplanes Ascender including a winged vehicle, the technical feasibility of which V2, the X-15 and has been closely scrutinised by ESA and others who have not disagreed with the X-15 the Me163 how results. Using examples of the two enabling technology streams various low budget projects of Space-planes and rocket engines he claims credibility for the already have a long and cost estimates generated for demonstrated heritage. The mind-set ASCENDER and its future that needs to change is away from developments SPACECAB that of launchers as missiles (“Every and SPACEBUS. He then time the Space Shuttle is launched, showed how an incremental a crew of seven are flight testing a development and funding missile”) to one of aircraft with their structure would work with a well established operating low speed Ascender procedures and demonstrated demonstrator costing ~£3M reliability. The second requirement is Space shuttle with Industry or PV funding *David Ashford is director of Bristol Spaceplanes Limited. He graduated from Imperial College, University of London, in aeronautical engineering and spent one year at Princeton doing post graduate research on rocket motor combustion instability. His first job, starting in 1961, was with the Hawker Siddeley Aviation spaceplane design team. He has worked as an aerodynamicist, project engineer or project manager on various aerospace projects, including DC-8, DC-10, Concorde, the Skylark sounding rocket, and various naval missile systems. He co-authored the first serious book on space tourism "Your Spaceflight Manual - How You Could be a Tourist in Space within Twenty Years", with Patrick Collins, and has also authored a large number of papers on the subject.

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aimed at specific references to the MOD, acronyms giving access and the calculating nature of engineers! to large new The speeches markets. “Production” After dinner, Iain Gray thanked the of Ascenders organisers & specifically William Beaumont would require for all his hard work; as about £30M. well as David Gould for He argues hosting and David that this Ashford for an should be interesting and thought Evolution from Ascender to Spacebus government provoking lecture. funded on David was presented the basis that it would make the UK a centre of a with a Bristol Blue vase European Spaceplane industry. The Ascender inscribed “RAeS Bristol would effectively also be the flight test vehicle for Branch Barnwell an interim SPACECAB costing about £250M, Lecture 2005” as a funded by international partners on the basis of thank you from the saving £ billions on planned space programmes. branch. Iain Gray also mentioned the uncanny coincidence that on With some years of operation under its belt th SPACECAB would pave the way for space the same day, 27 April tourism using a mature SPACEBUS costing 2005, a statue of Frank around £250M funded by profits from space Barnwell was unveiled in tourism in around 15years time. Scotland and the A380 made its maiden flight from Could this be new industry for the Bristol area? Toulouse. Frank Barnwell’s Possibly, all that is needed is an enthusiastic legacy for innovation was a space entrepreneur with £3M to get the process Frank Barnwell mark of the Bristol Airplane kicked off. Interested parties should contact company and survives to this day with the David Ashford directly, not the RAeS. A380 which is over 50% British. The event rounded off with questions from the Sir Colin Terry, President of the Main floor & a vote of thanks from David Gould, Head Society spoke at this, his first Branch event, of DPA, MOD Abbey Wood after which many of how impressed he was with the event as members and guest retired to the bar followed by a whole and specifically the lecture; and dinner in the Abbey Wood restaurant. that the contribution and enthusiasm of Tom Keates, FRAeS branch members is invaluable to the main All things bright and beautiful society. Changes at the main society include the moving of the library at 4 Demonstrating the rich Aerospace industry in the Hamilton Place to new premises. Libraries local area, Atkins, GKN, GED Sitec, Rolls Royce, from several other organisations will join Airbus, Airbus Military, Magellan Aerospace, Hamilton Place’s to create a National Inbis, Smiths Aerospace, the Bristol Branch Aerospace Library. The cost of this will be Committee and guests, Bristol Branch special in the region of £10M. This really put into guests, Bristol Branch Members and Young perspective the £3M David Ashford said he Members all had tables at the dinner. Before we would need to build his prototype Ascender. started, the whole assembly sang grace, which, unlike any other grace, was sung to the tune of An interesting and enjoyable evening was “All things bright and beautiful”, and made had by all. Thanks again to those involved. Guy Hobday, GED Sitec Contact the newsletter team at [email protected] . We look forward to hearing from you. 5 FOR A LARGE PRINT VERSION, CONTACT PETA WILLIAMS 0117 936 3294 BRISTOL BRANCH NEWSLETTER JUNE 2005

BOEING 787 DREAMLINER

Boeing Commercial Airplanes has focused its aircraft. It is new aircraft product development efforts on the expected that Boeing 787 Dreamliner in response to the advances in overwhelming preference of airlines around the engine world for more efficient aircraft. An international technology will team of top aerospace companies is developing contribute as the Dreamliner, led by Boeing at its Everett much as 8 facility near Seattle. The UK is making a major percent of the contribution to the program with companies such Rolls Royce Trent 1000 increased as Rolls-Royce, Smiths, Claverham, Messier- efficiency of the new aircraft. For the first Dowty, GKN and Ultra Electronics. time in commercial jet history, both engine types will use the same standard interface Unparalleled Performance with the aircraft allowing any 787 to be fitted with either engine at any point in time. The 787 family, made up of 3 aircraft carrying between 223 and 300 passengers a range of From a UK perspective, QinetiQ at between 3,500 and 8,500 nautical miles; Farnborough has been involved in low underpins Boeing’s point-to-point philosophy, in speed wind tunnel testing and has also that people want to travel directly to their made an important contribution in the destination and avoid congested hubs. acoustic modelling domain. The Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre in South In addition to bringing big-jet ranges to mid-sized Yorkshire has developed new machining aircraft, the noise footprint will be around 60 per processes that are being applied to landing cent smaller than comparable aircraft and it will gear and engine component manufacturing. use 20 percent less fuel for comparable missions. It will also travel at speeds similar to Continuing Progress today’s fastest wide bodies, Mach 0.85. Airlines Program launch occurred in April 2004 with will also benefit from approximately 45 percent a record order from All Nippon Airways. more cargo revenue capacity. Subsequently there have been major orders The use of composite materials enables a for 787s from airlines around the world and reduction in cabin altitude from 8000’ to 6000’ the total as at 11 May 2005 stood at 255. and an increase in humidity levels. New Production of the 787 will begin in 2006. technologies on board in cabin air systems, First flight is expected in 2007 with lighting, wi-fi connectivity as well as improved certification, delivery and entry into service ride quality will dramatically improve the flying occurring in 2008 for the 787-3 and 787-8 experience. models with the 787-9 model entering service in 2010. Advanced Technology Nick West, Boeing The majority of the primary structure including the fuselage and wing on the 787 will be made of composite materials. Boeing has selected Composite fuselage section General Electric and Rolls-Royce to develop engines for the new The Dreamliner Contact the newsletter team at [email protected] . We look forward to hearing from you. 6 FOR A LARGE PRINT VERSION, CONTACT PETA WILLIAMS 0117 936 3294 BRISTOL BRANCH NEWSLETTER JUNE 2005 OVAL OFFICE IN THE SKY

On January 28th 2005, the U.S. Navy selected integration of advanced security and the US101 as the next “Marine One” helicopter communications capabilities, it will for the President of the United States. Lockheed effectively be an Oval Office in the Sky. Martin is the prime contractor responsible for Low internal noise levels mean the systems integration, while Augusta Westland President will be able to hear himself think, and Bell will work together as a single and the state of the art vibration damping subcontractor under Lockheed Martin. system will mean there’s no reason for the President to spill his coffee. Rotor blades from Yeovil So will the US101 be up to the job? The composite rotor blades for the 23 commissioned US101s The EH101 has logged up to 60 000 flight will be built at Augusta hours on just over 100 aircraft since entry Westland at Yeovil. The main into service: peacekeeping operations in rotor system consists of five Bosnia, allied fleet protection in Iraq, and main rotor blades with the ax- search and rescue off Canada’s east and head shape BERP (British west coasts. Experimental Rotor Program) One of the reasons the US101 was chosen blade tips developed jointly by was its 3 engined configuration. If you lose BERP tip rotor blades Westland and the RAF to one of the engines on take-off, you can improve aerodynamic efficiency continue the mission as at high speed by up to 30 %. US101 SPECIFICATION Height both rotors turning 6.62m planned with the remaining Fit for an emperor Length both rotors turning 22.80m two engines which at Rotor diameter 18.59m maximum load still provide Of course we are proud of Main rotors 5 the transmission with 70 to Yeovil and Westland’s Tail rotor diameter 4.01m 75 percent of available prestigious new contract, but Cabin length 6.503m power. The EH101 is let’s not forget that the EH101 Cabin width 2.337m certified to use either the (on which the US101 is based) Cabin height 1.829m Rolls-Royce/Turbomeca Maximum a/c weight 14,600kg has already been deemed fit for RTM322 or the General an emperor! On 26th July 2001, Payload 5,400kg Cruise speed 278km/h Electric CT7. The GE CT7- His Majesty Emperor Akihito Endurance Over 7 hours 8E is planned for the and Her Majesty Empress Operating ceiling 4,575m presidential configuration. Michiko of Japan flew from Tokyo to pacific islands south of Tokyo to Other safety features include: the airframe observe damage caused by an earthquake in which is designed to withstand a 15g 2000. In spite of the EH101 being in standard impact; crashworthy seats for the crew and cabin layout, it was still chosen over the official cabin; high energy absorption landing gear Super Puma VIP helicopter! & flotation gears for crashworthiness at sea. The presidential interior As you can see, the president will be in safe hands on board this, the first presidential The president will of course not be travelling transporter built with European standard class - the interior of his US101 collaboration. helicopters will be furnished in presidential style Peta but the question is, will Mrs Bush be choosing Williams, the interior design as Mrs Reagan did in 1982 Airbus when they refurbished the previous presidential fleet? The US101 will not just transport the President from A to B in style but with the

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Branch Committee: President: Iain Gray FRAeS, Chairman: Conrad Banks MRAeS, Secretary: Dr Shai Macci MRAeS Treasurer: James Brimble MRAeS, Lectures: Dr H Alicia Kim ARAeS, Membership: Henry Ashton ARAeS, Young Members: William Beaumont AMRAeS Newsletter Team: Guy Hobday, James Brimble MRAeS, Peta Williams ARAeS Other Committee Members: John Janke MRAeS, Dr Richard Butler MRAeS, John Elver

MRAeS, David Harris MRAeS, Adrian Huntbatch Bristol Branch committee with Sir Colin Terry MRAeS, Hugh Donohoe MRAeS, Clive Sibley and David Ashford at the Barnwell Lecture MRAeS,

Bristol Branch Annual General the GED Sitec Group for sponsoring the Meeting - season 2004/2005: last newsletter. James Brimble reported that the branch is Our President Iain Gray spoke of a successful in a healthy financial position. However, the year that included some interesting and varied branch accounts desperately need an visits and lectures with strong contributions from auditor. No special qualifications are local speakers, demonstrating the richness and needed, so if you can help, please contact diversity of the industry at our door step. Alicia James on 0117 979 0786 or at Kim was thanked for her hard work in putting the [email protected] . lecture programme together and John Elver for taking care of the visits. Via a very interesting and enjoyable visit to the Airbus Filton site, the branch has raised A special thank you to Andrew Mavin who has some money towards the National been instrumental in organising Barnwell events Aerospace Library initiative. John Elver for the past two years. Andrew, who was thanked Iain Gray and Airbus for being representing the MoD on the committee, will be great hosts. A similar visit is planned for the moving back to BAE Systems in Warton. Andrew Rolls Royce site in Bristol this summer. has been an active participant in the branch meetings, offering support to a number of The Chairman ended by thanking Iain for initiatives. his support over the years. Eur Ing Dr S Macci MRAeS, Secretary William Beaumont and Peta Williams were thanked for starting and maintaining the branch’s vibrant Young Members section. Branch Information Lists Iain thanked all the committee members for their Where possible the Branch would like to hard work and in particular Conrad Banks for communicate with members via e-mail. If ensuring the smooth running of the branch. you would like to be added to the email list, or need to update/amend your postal Conrad echoed Iain’s comments and also noted address or other details, please contact: the high standard of the Branch’s new look newsletter and thanked Guy Hobday, James Henry Ashton, Dept E06, Bldg 07S, Brimble, Peta Williams and Phil Atcliffe; and Module C2, Airbus UK, Filton Bristol, BS99 7AR.

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