HATFIELD BRANCH NEWSLETTER

JANUARY 2021 January Lecture The RAeS Space Group – Role and Activities by Howard Nye, Geoff Busswell and Alex Godfery, RAeS Space Group

Thursday 21st January, 6.30pm, online. See back page for details

NOTE: this lecture takes place on a Thursday

From the Chairman Welcome to our January newsletter. I would like to the Chair of the RAeS Space Group and the President wish you all a very happy New Year and hope that the Elect. This lecture will be on Thursday 21st January, to roll-out of the Covid 19 vaccines means that we can fit in with availability of the lecture team. In February, look to a return to some kind of normality. we look forward to the annual Student Lecture When the first lockdown was introduced in March, Competition. This will follow the usual format with and we were forced to cancel the Geoffrey de Havilland 3 students giving short talks followed by Q&A. Last Memorial Lecture, no one could have envisaged April, we were forced to cancel the Safety Evening that we would still be in lockdown almost a year on. run by GASCo and we rescheduled it for this April, not As with many other organisations, we were forced expecting that we would need to hold it as an online to adapt and so far we have run 3 online lectures, webinar. starting with the rescheduled de Havilland lecture in As usual, we will close the season with the AGM in October. I know that there were some initial problems May. We cancelled this last year but this year we will with members being unable to access the MS Teams need to run an online version. In the current virtual presentations. Hopefully, these problems are now world, there is inevitably less contact between the behind us. We plan to continue with the online format committee and the branch members, so the AGM for the remainder of this season. I am aware that the is your opportunity to influence the running of the branch meetings are an opportunity to socialise with branch. Committee members will be up for re-election other members, so as we develop the programme for and, as always, we will be keen to welcome new blood. the 2021/22 season, we will need to consider if we can More details of the arrangements will follow, nearer reintroduce physical meetings, perhaps with an online the time. stream as well. Stay safe Our January lecture is led by Howard Nye, who is Steve Rogers HATFIELD BRANCH Page 2 NEWSLETTER JANUARY 2021

Lecture Report – Aircraft Galleys, Adina Caraba, Collins Aerospace For the December Lecture, we were delighted to welcome Adina Caraba, a colleague from my time at Collins Aerospace. Adina, who originally hails from Romania, is now the Director of Engineering for Collins Aerospace at Leighton Buzzard. Adina opened her talk by briefly explaining the structure of Collins Aerospace, which is part of Raytheon Technologies and is now one of the worlds largest providers of systems for commercial aircraft. She compact and light as possible. All this in a structure showed the wide range of interior products supplied by which needs to pass through the aircraft door to allow the company including seating, galleys and lavatories. installation. Collins Aerospace also manufacture a range of inserts to complete the galleys. These include the ovens, beverage makers and trolleys. Collins Aerospace supply interior products to most major manufacturers including Boeing, Airbus and Sukhoi, the Russian company who are building the SSJ100. In 2008, as B/E Aerospace, they were awarded the contract to supply the galleys for the new Airbus A350XWB and established a new 10,000 sqm facility in the Philippines to manufacture the new galleys. So far, Airbus have delivered almost 400 A350s and have orders for another 500. Adina showed us the details of the galley manu- Tracing its history back to C F Taylor, the company has facturing and assembly process. Starting with the over 50 years’ experience and has developed an enviable manufacture of the honeycomb panels through the reputation as a leader in galley design and manufacture. galley assembly and system installation to the finished The Leighton Buzzard facility was originally established galley, ready to leave the factory. as B/E Aerospace almost 30 years ago. We are grateful to Adina for taking time out of her The aircraft galley may look simple on the outside, very busy schedule to prepare and present a most but under the skin it is rather more complicated. Adina enjoyable and informative lecture. explained the details of the main systems which go For those unable to join the lecture, a copy of into making a modern galley, including the structure, Adina’s presentation is here: electrics, refrigeration, plumbing and air extraction. Aircraft Galleys December 2020 Although most of the galley manufacture is carried Please note that this material is Collins Aerospace out in the Philippines, design, test and certification proprietary and must not be copied or reproduced take place in Leighton Buzzard. The galley structure without written permission from Collins Aerospace. needs to withstand the 9G crash case while being as Steve Rogers HATFIELD BRANCH Page 3 NEWSLETTER JANUARY 2021

Members’ competition: clue on how we may learn from the past as we look into Over the past months you may have noticed that the future. Peter’s particular insight has been focused members have been encouraged to identify an on the work of the RAF Museum www.rafmuseum. image of a trophy, this quiz was in recognition of how org.uk where he curated a number of exhibitions and aerospace has progressed through competition. The exhibits. We should not underestimate the value our Trophy in question is on display at the Royal Museum heritage brings to today’s aerospace challenges. of the Armed Forces and Military History Parc du Given our current challenges, I foresee that air travel Cinquantenaire, 1000 Bruxelles, Belgium. may never be the same. Our Geoffrey de Havilland http://www.klm-mra.be named lecture by PrivateFly illustrated the concept The trophy may be found on display here: of integrated on-demand travel services and how we may see flights from local airports to local airports delivering lower carbon footprints and an overall time saving. Enabling technology such as on-demand multimodal transit services could mean that when you need to escape working from home, your journey starts from your desk with a walk to the awaiting hydrogen - electric car which delivers you to your hydrogen -electric aircraft or having pre-cleared customs and air traffic control. Once seated your office is at your hand with satellite connected services. On arrival, you may choose to continue your journey or meet with your guests on board as the return journey is made ready. You may think this is a flight of fancy, however Airlander is continuing the concept of slow high endurance travel to remote locations with stunning views of the surroundings. For those who think this could never be, just think how things may have been This museum has been a significant place in my different if hydrogen balloons had evolved beyond work environment and I became a routine visitor on the Hindenburg. The application of new materials and Wednesday afternoons. Like most museums there is capabilities could mean that solar powered hybrid air too much to explore in one visit, but for those who vehicles may move on from unmanned air vehicles to have a specific interest they can be inspirational. Our a personal autonomous transit infrastructure as we committee member Peter Elliott is a leading authority reach for a sustainable future. Continued on Page 5

2020-21 Lecture Programme Members’ competition Confirmed lectures (Wednesdays): Email the name of this trophy to [email protected] for a chance to win the mug shown below. 21st Oct: Geoffrey de Havilland Lecture: PrivateFly Air Charter Operations, Adam Twidell 18th Nov: & Radlett, Chris Scivyer 9th Dec: Aircraft Galleys, Collins Aerospace Thursday 21st Jan 2021: Space Lecture, Howard Nye, Geoff Busswell and Alex Godfery 17th Feb: Student Lecture Competition 17th Mar: TBA 21st Apr: GASCo Safety Evening, Keith Thomas 19th May: Lecture TBA, preceded by AGM All lectures are online. Please contact hatfield@aerosociety. com for an invitation 8 HATFIELD BRANCH Page 4 NEWSLETTER JANUARY 2021

Ken Wallis: the man who would be Sean Handling characteristics Connery Whether powered by internal combustion or an In 1979, as a student of Aeronautical Engineering at electric motor, it is important that the thrust line of the Kingston University, I was privileged to meet Wing aircraft aligns with the centre of gravity. This limits any Commander Ken Wallis, leading developer of secondary effects of control when power is applied. and innovator of engineering excellence. Wing The mass of fuel for an engine will be reduced during Commander Kenneth Horatio Wallis – Wikipedia entry flight, whereas an electric motor and battery pack Amongst his achievements was his role as Sean will not change, allowing a more consistent alignment Connery’s stunt pilot in the 1967 James Bond film with the thrust line and centre of gravity. An electric You Only Live Twice, flying one of his WA-116s – Little motor produces a relatively flat power curve. This Nellie. may eliminate the need for a reduction gear (to match In this spirit of innovation, and recognising our the propeller performance otherwise required for an urgent need for more-sustainable future flight, this engine.) article examines the feasibility of exchanging the Without the exhaust or emissions associated with internal combustion (IC) engine for a battery-powered an engine, the main noise source will be restricted to electric motor. the propeller, with associated environmental benefits. Electric motors (such as the Emrax 228) have been compared favourably with equivalent IC engines with a specific power output of over 8 kW/kg instead of 1kW/ kg. However, with an electric motor, battery and control unit, for the overall aircraft weight to remain the same, endurance (time or distance) will be reduced. This is because of the comparative power density between fuel and battery. Unlike the IC engine, the electric motor is not dependent on air density so is unaffected by increased altitude (although the propeller is – Ed). A recognised limitation of the electric motor over the IC engine is the time it takes to refuel/recharge. This also depends on the availability of the required infra- structure (electric charger or jerry can of liquid fuel). WA-116s from 1961 – weight 110kg Comparative costs IC engines have a significant number of components The autogyro airframe shown above is single which require routine inspection and maintenance. By seat with a low maximum take-off weight (MTOW). comparison, electric motors with associated battery Removing the engine and associated accessories and control packs are relatively maintenance-free. The and replacing with an electric motor requires an elimination of a reduction gear to the propeller also assessment of weight, handling characteristics and reduces the maintenance load, provided performance comparative cost.

Weight When exchanging an IC engine for an electric motor, the new weight should be the same as the weight including the motor. This will help to maintain principles of the original design proof to ensure regulatory compliance. It will also help to ensure that the rotor speed and propeller thrust are maintained. The calculation should consider system components removed (carburettor, ignition system, etc.) and the fuel, and the weight of the motor and battery pack with engine-control unit. HATFIELD BRANCH Page 5 NEWSLETTER JANUARY 2021 criteria are not exceeded. Liquid fuel provides more • Reduce CO2 emissions endurance (flying distance or time) per kilogramme However, these aspects need to be balanced of fuel, but the cost of electric charging may be against: comparable and the environmental benefits significant. • Reduced range The service life of an electric motor- powered aircraft • Battery changing time when compared with an IC engine-powered aircraft is • Revised operating procedures likely to be longer. This is due to fewer moving parts For those who follow developments in this and less complex maintenance. area, ZeroAvia at Cranfield University has recently In summary, the electrification of aircraft propulsion progressed the concept of Hydrogen-electric aircraft has the potential to: and secured $21.4 million of backing from investors as • Reduce maintenance costs the company develops a commercial hydrogen-fuelled, • Reduce noise zero-emission plane for 2023. • Improve power delivery Keith Gowland • Stabilise mass balance

Continued from Page3 My own particular interests into looking into what As we enter 2021, let’s hope for the best and may be comes from an encounter with Ken Wallis encourage all to seek out new challenges and test back in Oct 1979. As a keen Aeronautical Engineering the boundaries of understanding. The museums student at Kingston University, I invited Ken to give a listed below could be your start of a new adventure talk on autogyros, only to be amazed by what he has where you too may find inspiration by those who achieved. have progressed their passions, of particular note are For those who wish to know more, the RAeS those museums local to Hertfordshire. On this note, Podcast: Ann Welch Named Lecture 2013 (aerosociety. shortly you may see how the University of Hertford- com) provides an insight into the life of Ken Wallis. shire student cohorts aim to present their insight as From this I have concluded that if Hatfield wishes to we stage the 2021 Student lecture competition. May add to the number of firsts in aviation, then a study into I wish all who progress their passions every success. autonomous hydrogen-electric autogyros has potential. Keith Gowland

Aviation Museums Aeropark, , Castle Donington, Leicestershire Lashenden Air Warfare Museum, Headcorn, Aerospace , Lincolnshire Aviation Heritage Centre, East Kirkby, Lincolnshire AeroVenture, Doncaster, South Yorkshire , , , , Museum of Berkshire Aviation, Woodley, Berkshire , Woodford, Greater Museum of Science and Industry in Manchester Memorial Flight, RAF Coningsby, Lincolnshire , Nottinghamshire Bentwaters Cold War Museum, Woodbridge, Suffolk and Suffolk Aviation Museum, Flixton, Suffolk Bournemouth Aviation Museum, Hurn, Dorset North East Land, Sea and Air Museums, Sunderland, Tyne and , Weybridge, Wear City of Norwich Aviation Museum. Norwich International Airport, Rolls-Royce Heritage Trust, Derby, Derbyshire Norfolk Museum Cosford, Cosford, Shropshire Cornwall Aviation Heritage Centre, RAF St Mawgan, Newquay, Royal Air Force Museum London, Hendon, London Cornwall Science Museum, London SW7 Croydon Airport Visitor Centre, Croydon, Greater London , Shoreham, Kent de Havilland Aircraft Museum, London Colney, Hertfordshire Shoreham Airport Visitor Centre, Shoreham Airport, West Sussex Farnborough Air Sciences Trust, Farnborough, Hampshire , Old Warden, Bedfordshire Museum, , , , Hampshire , , Surrey , Northamptonshire Gliding Heritage Centre, Lasham Airfield, Hampshire Tangmere Military Aviation Museum, Tangmere, West Sussex Duxford, Cambridge, The Helicopter Museum, Weston-super-Mare, Somerset , , Balcombe, West Sussex Kent Battle of Britain Museum, Folkestone, Kent , Elvington, North Yorkshire HATFIELD BRANCH Page 6 NEWSLETTER JANUARY 2021

Here to help… MS Teams Live Event A number of members have reported issues with joining MS Teams live events. The committee have discussed this matter and wish to offer the following guidance. Our lectures will be delivered via the MS Teams Live Event tool, so you will need an internet-enabled/ connected device. MS Teams Live is a live streaming tool (so you cannot be seen or heard). Please check that your speakers are turned on so you can hear the presentation. From an MS Windows-enabled PC/laptop you do not need the MS Teams app or an MS Teams account Figure 2 to join the event. For other devices you may need to install the app, but you still do not need an MS Teams account. For further information, please see the Microsoft Teams tutorial at: https://support.microsoft.com/ en-us/office/attend-a-live-event-d837ad8d-ce34- 44d0-9744-9beb50e943ac

How to Join the MS Teams Live Event After clicking on the joining link provided (or pasting it into your web browser), MS Teams will launch in your web browser and the screen shown in Figure 1 will appear. You will have the choice to get (download and install) the Teams app or watch on the web (via your Figure 3 browser).

Figure 1 Figure 4

This guide only covers joining through your web 4). Like our usual lectures, we will save answering browser. After selecting ‘watch on the web instead,’ questions until after the presentation has finished. the screen shown in Figure 2 will appear. The committee would like to test this capability Once you sign in the screen shown in Figure 3 will and provide feedback for the guidance of members. appear. Please note: if you see ‘The live event hasn’t Therefore, please email [email protected] started,’ you have joined the event successfully so to arrange a test connection. However, we do look please wait until the event begins. forward to meeting face to face again soon. You can ask questions using the Live Q&A (Figure Keith Gowland HATFIELD BRANCH ONLINE LECTURE

The RAeS Space Group - Role and Activities

21st January 2021 18:30Hrs

Summary The Speakers

The Royal Aeronautical Society Space Group is charged Howard Nye FRAeS with promoting the interests of the Society and its Chair, RAeS Space Group members in astronautics and its component scientific RAeS President Elect and engineering disciplines. Vice-President, RAeS Paris Branch Former ESA Senior Executive These interests cover the design and manufacture of spacecraft and launch vehicles, plus the application of space technologies in such varied fields as Geoff Busswell MRAeS communications, navigation, human spaceflight, Vice-Chair of the Space Group planetary exploration, astronomy and remote sensing. Head of Sales & Marketing, Telespazio VEGA UK Our speaker Howard Nye will be joined by Geoff Busswell and Alex Godfery to - Introduce the role and activities of the Space Group - Summarise some recent Space Group events including “Safeguarding the Earth's Space Alex Godfery MRAeS Environment” and “UK as a Global Space Power” Chair of the Space Group Early and the plans for 2021 Careers Sub-Committee - Introduce the SG Early Careers Sub-Committee and Business Operations Manager, provide insight into their personal careers in the Lockheed Martin UK space domain - Answer questions from the participants.

VENUE: PROGRAMME: CPD certificates of attendance will be Online Webinar 18:30 – Online Forum Setup 18:40 – CPD Reg and welcome endorsed for CEng, IEng or EngTech 18:45 – Lecture registration 20:00 – End

Members & non-members are welcome GET CONNECTED WITH RAeS Search “RAeS Hatfield Branch”, on Facebook For webinar invites and questions in advance, Please contact the Branch Secretary on: [email protected]