INTERNATIONAL RESCUE AVIATION MOBILISES TO FIGHT COVID-19 PANDEMIC - QANTAS PROJECT SUNRISE THE COST OF MODERN FIGHTERS UK AND EASA - GOING SOLO? ...
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AEROSPACE
www.aerosociety.com
May 2020
Volume 47 Number 5
May 2020
QANTAS PROJECT
SUNRISE
THE COST OF MODERN
FIGHTERS
UK AND EASA –
GOING SOLO?
INTERNATIONAL RESCUE
Royal Aeronautical Society
AVIATION MOBILISES TO FIGHT COVID-19 PANDEMIC
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Volume 47 Number 5
May 2020
EDITORIAL Contents
A V-shaped or U-shaped Regulars
recovery? 4 Radome
The latest aviation and
aeronautical intelligence,
12 Transmission
Your letters, emails, tweets
and social media feedback.
analysis and comment.
As AEROSPACE goes to press – the global aviation industry, like much 58 The Last Word
of the world’s population, is locked down due to the Covid-19 pandemic. 11 Pushing the Envelope Keith Hayward considers the
Over half of all Boeing airliners are grounded and traffic levels have fallen Rob Coppinger looks at the lessons learned regarding
technical challenges involved export subsidies from Airbus’
to 1990’s levels. Plying the empty skies now, passenger airliners have with designing high-altitude first major aircraft order in
been pressed into service as vital cargo aircraft, delivering much-needed platforms (HAPS). 1977.
medical supplies around the world. One bright spot from this dark time for
air transport is that, reaching rock bottom, the only way now is up. Domestic Features
air travel in China is slowly returning, while some European countries are
Leonardo
LHT
now taking steps to loosen their lockdowns. Though this is likely to be done 14 28
in a phased and measured way, it opens up a route in which life (including
air travel) might return to some semblance of normality (albeit with some
restrictions). So what might any recovery in passenger air traffic look like? A
V-shaped quick bounce-back seems highly optimistic. Yet a U-shaped crawl
along the bottom for years also seems too pessimistic – given the pent-up Hope given wings Maintenance errors: are we
demand for business travel and holidays. Yet a word of caution is required How airlines and the learning?
here. Fewer passengers, along with cabin ‘social distancing’ measures aerospace industry are Investigating the human
(blocked off middle seats), also means that ticket prices could rise steeply. helping to fight back against factors in aircraft
the Coronavirus outbreak. maintenance.
Short-haul, regional aviation is thus likely to power any climb in growth.
Current low oil prices too, will aid airlines strong enough to ride this crisis out. 18 The price is flight 32 Navigating proof
The recovery then, may be more like a Nike-swoosh or a tick-mark than a U- How much does a modern Who bears the cost of claims
fighter actually cost? in the event of an aircraft
or V-shaped recovery – a constant gradient climb for an embattled aviation crash?
industry.
Qantas
Airbus
Tim Robinson, Editor-in-Chief 22
tim.robinson@aerosociety.com 34
Editor-in-Chief Editorial Office 2020 AEROSPACE subscription The final frontier for jet-lag?
Tim Robinson Royal Aeronautical Society rates: Non-members, £180
An analysis of the human The UK and EASA –
+44 (0)20 7670 4353 No.4 Hamilton Place Please send your order to: factors involved in Qantas’ breaking formation?
tim.robinson@aerosociety.com London W1J 7BQ, UK Wayne J Davis, RAeS, No.4 Hamilton
+44 (0)20 7670 4300 Project Sunrise ultra long- What the UK’s approach
Deputy Editor Place, London W1J 7BQ, UK. towards the end of the Brexit
publications@aerosociety.com +44 (0)20 7670 4354 distance flights.
Bill Read transition period means for
+44 (0)20 7670 4351 www.aerosociety.com aerosubs@aerosociety.com
bill.read@aerosociety.com
aviation and regulation.
AEROSPACE is published by the Royal Any member not requiring a print 26 Mitigating risk,
Aeronautical Society (RAeS). version of this magazine should prepping for recovery
Production Manager
contact: membership@aerosociety.com
36 Looking to a blended
Chief Executive
Wayne J Davis How aerospace supply chain future
+44 (0)20 7670 4354 Sir Brian Burridge CBE FRAeS USA: Periodical postage paid at
Champlain New York and additional
companies can cope with the An analysis of Airbus’ new
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Champlain NY 12919-1518, USA. Afterburner
Publications Executive to represent the opinion of the RAeS. ISSN 2052-451X 42 Message from our President
Annabel Hallam Reproduction of material used in this
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annabel.hallam@aerosociety.com written consent of the Editor-in-Chief.
44 Book Reviews
Book Review Editor Printed by Buxton Press Limited,
Brian Riddle Palace Road, Buxton, Derbyshire 48 Library Additions
SK17 6AE, UK
brian.riddle@aerosociety.com 49 Trustee Talk
Distributed by Royal Mail
50 NAL Platt-LePage and Piasecki Rotorcraft films
Additional content is available to view online at: www.aerosociety.com/aerospaceinsight 52 Cool Aeronautics
Including: Stimulating the urban air mobility revolution, The UK and EASA – breaking formation?, 55 Corporate Partners
A new British electric aircraft, In the April issue of AEROSPACE, New Member spotlight – Oliver 56 Elections
Online Westcott, A bioshock to aviation – what next?
57 New Members Spotlight
@aerosociety i Find us on LinkedIn f Find us on Facebook www.aerosociety.com MAY 2020 13
Blueprint
INTELLIGENCE / ANALYSIS / COMMENT
X-57 specifications
Critical take-off speed 67mph
Max cruise speed 172mph
MTOW
Operational ceiling
3,000lb
14,000ft.
Battery power
The X-57 is powered by lithium-ion
batteries weighing 680lb producing 69.1kW
hours (with 47kW hours being usable). As
part of the safety validation, NASA has also
redesigned the batteries to prevent any
'thermal runaway' in all phases of flight.
W
AEROSPACE
X-57 gets smarter
NASA has released new images of the final Mod IV configuration of its X-57 Maxwell
all-electric-distributed propulsion test aircraft – the first piloted NASA X-plane in 20
years. The X-57 uses an Italian Tecnam P2006T which is being heavily modified in phases
with the final configuration featuring an electric distributed propulsion system, with 14
electric motors and propellers (two cruise motors and 12 high-lift motors) and a new
high-efficiency wing. The goal is a 500% increase in cruise flight efficiency, zero-carbon
emissions and quieter operations. NASA estimates that the electric propulsion system
could save $165 per hour compared to internal combustion engines and decrease hourly
energy operating costs from 45% to 9%. Telemetry testing on the X-57 has now been
NASAr
completed at NASA Armstrong at Edwards AFB, ahead of a first flight later this year.
4 AEROSPACE
MAY 2020 News.indd 2 21/04/2020 15:24:45
Props away
In the final Mod IV configuration of
the X-57, the X-plane will feature
14 electric motors, with two larger
wingtip cruise motors and 12 high-
lift motors. The Tecam's 100hp Rotax
912S engines, weighing 125lb are
replaced by 60kW electric motors
weighing 57lb, allowing them to be
relocated to the wingtip to drive 5ft
propellers. Meanwhile 12 10.5kW
motors drive the 1.9ft high-lift
propellers, which in cruise mode, will
fold back into the nacelles, reducing
drag.
Getting the data
NASA has already flight-tested the
baseline Tecam P2006T to provide data to
New wing compare internal combustion engine with
the all-electric X-57. During flight testing
The ultimate test configuration will
of the Maxwell, flight data telemetry will be
also include a new high-efficiency,
downlinked using two antennas. This data
high-aspect ratio wing with the wing-
will also include voltage, power
tip cruise motors recovering energy
consumption and structural integrity.
usually lost in tip vortices. Wing load-
ing has increased from 17lb per sq
ft to 45lb per sq ft, with NASA also
saying that the new wing will be more
gust-resistent and provide a smoother
ride. The distributed power configura-
tion has already been tested on the
ground using a truck with 18 motors
which generated more than double
the lift of an unblown wing.
MAY 2020 5
MAY 2020 News.indd 3 21/04/2020 15:24:51
Radome
COVID-19
AEROSPACE AIR TRANSPORT
Industry retools to fight Air traffic falls to 1990’s levels
global pandemic
Aerospace, defence and clothing – with GE
space companies around partnering with Ford
Lufthhansa News
the world are mobilising and 3M in the US to
to assist in producing produce ventilators and
vital medical and PPE. Both Airbus and
protective equipment Boeing have utilised their
needed in the battle 3D printing capabilities Passenger air traffic has now fallen to 1990 levels as countries have closed borders
against the COVID-19 to quickly manufacture and imposed lockdown restrictions due to the ongoing COVID-19 crisis. In the US
pandemic. In the UK, much needed face visors. alone, passenger numbers have fallen to 1950s’ levels with the TSA reporting that only
an industry consortium Both companies have 97,130 people passed through security checkpoints on 7 April – a fall of 95% since
led by Meggitt and also assigned company the previous year. Two-thirds of the world airliner fleet or over 16,000 aircraft are now
including GKN, Airbus, aircraft such as a A350- grounded, with airlines such as KLM and Qantas bringing forward the retirement of
Thales and Renishaw 1000 prototype and the their 747s. Virgin Atlantic is retiring its Airbus A340-600s early due to the crisis.
has been working as 747 Dreamlifter cargo
part of the UK Ventilator aircraft to help deliver vital DEFENCE
Challenge to scale up
mass production of
medical supplies. Space
companies have also
US Navy carrier captain dismissed
much needed medical joined the fight, with the over Coronavirus warnings
ventilators, with the UK’s Reaction Engines
first model receiving 3D-printing face visors
approval on 15 April. and Skyrora developing a
Other firms to join fhe way of rapidly disinfecting
UK ventilator effort protective equipment. In
US Navy
include Cobham and the US, Blue Origin and
Babcock. In parallel, ULA are now producing
a global shortage of face visors, while SpaceX The US Acting Secretary of the Navy, Thomas Modly resigned on 8 April after calling
personal protective is building face shields the Captain of the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt ‘stupid’ for leaking news
equipment (PPE) and donating hand about Coronavirus infections within the ship’s crew. Captain Brett Crozier was
for front-line health sanitisers. Virgin Orbit is removed from his command of the carrier after sending an email to high command
workers has also developing a prototype warning that the virus was spreading and that action needed to be taken. Taken off
seen aerospace firms ventilator for hospitals with the ship in Guam, he was given a hero’s send-off by his crew, which subsequently
divert resources into the aim of building 100 went viral. Modly then flew out to the carrier to address the crew and accuse Crozier
producing protective a week. (see Hope gets of naivety – triggering a political and media storm. Some 660 of the ship’s 4,800 crew
masks, visors and wings, p14) has since tested positive for the virus, with one sailor dying.
NEWS IN BRIEF
Australia entered voluntary from Kinloss, pending a the ISS, rendezvousing in São Paulo, Mexico
Aerospace parts suppliers adminstration due to the move to RAF Lossiemouth with the Station six hours City and California’s San
Hexcell and Woodward Coronavirus flight bans. later in the year which is later. As well as using Francisco Bay area during
have axed plans for a The airline, which operated being upgraded. the newest launcher, the which it flew over 15,000
$6.4bn merger, in the 130 aircraft, had been mission was also unique in passengers. Airbus says
wake of declining air grounded since March A fresh crew of a the quarantine procedures that it will continue to invest
travel and concerns about NASA astronaut and reduced staffing in the urban mobility sector.
reduced production The Royal Air Force and two Roscosmos implemented at mission
rates due to the global has declared Initial cosmonauts launched to control and Baikonur, The US Federal Aviation
Coronavirus pandemic. Operational Capability for the International Space due to the ongoing Administration (FAA)
The all-stock deal was its Boeing P-8 Poseidon Station on 9 April from Coronavirus pandemic. has published a new
originally announced on maritime patrol aircraft Baikonur Cosmodrome in rulemaking which could
12 January. (MPA). The RAF has now Kazakhstan. The mission, Airbus has shut down give the green light to
received two P-8s out of which flew on 9 April, its Voom on-demand reintroducing supersonic
On 21 April, Australia's an eventual nine aircraft used the latest Soyuz helicopter ‘air taxi’ booking commercial air travel
second largest airline, to be delivered. They 2.1a rocket to launch platform. The platform was over land in the US. The
cash-stricken Virgin currently are operating the MS-16 capsule to used on helicopter services new Notice of Proposed
6 AEROSPACE
MAY 2020 News.indd 4 21/04/2020 15:24:52
SPACEFLIGHT AEROSPACE
NASA sets date for US Stratolaunch pivots to hypersonics
return to crewed flight
On 14 April, NASA Space Station. The DM-2
Administrator Jim crewed mission, set for
Bridenstine announced the end of the month, will
that 27 May will see see NASA astronauts
the first launch of US Col Doug Hurely and
Stratolaunch
astronauts, in a US Bob Behnken launched
spacecraft, from US soil onboard a SpaceX Crew
to the ISS since the final Dragon using a Falcon
flight of the Space Shuttle 9 rocket from Kennedy Air launched space-access venture, Stratolaunch, has revealed details of a new Mach 6
Atlantis in 2011. The Space Center, Florida. hypersonic test vehicle that it is offering to launch from its giant six-engined carrier aircraft.
retirement of the Shuttle It is the first human The Talon-A, says the company, is a Mach 6 class instrumented high-speed unpiloted air
almost a decade ago saw flown mission in NASA’s vehicle – designed to explore hypersonic speeds for military and commercial applications.
NASA depend on Russian Commercial Crew Uniquely, says Stratolaunch, the size of the ‘Roc’ carrier aircraft, means that three Talon-As
Soyuz flights to visit the Programme. could be launched on a single flight.
AIR TRANSPORT DEFENCE
New footage of Moscow Superjet Report into Rafale civilian
crash emerges ejection published
An accident report He was insufficiently
by the French safety strapped in and helmet
agency BEA-E has not fully fastened. His
Investigative Committee
revealed a chain of errors request for no negative
which resulted in the G manoeuvres was not
inadvertent ejection of a passed on to the pilot,
64-year old civilian from causing the passenger
a two-seat Rafale B at to panic and accidently
The Russian Governement has released new video footage of the crash of an Aeroflot a military base in March pull the ejection handle.
Sukhoi Superjet at Moscow Sheremetyevo airport on 5 May 2019 which killed 41 2019. The unnamed He landed safely
people of the 78 onboard. The aircraft had taken off for Murmansk when it was hit by man, a defence industry without serious injuries.
lightning and the flight control switched to direct mode. The crew then turned back, executive, had been Finally, a seat technical
but the aircraft landed hard and bounced with fire breaking out. Russia’s Investigative offered the experience malfunction kept the pilot
Committee now says it has collected enough evidence for a criminal case against the as a surprise but had in his seat, who landed
captain which it has passed on to the country's Prosecutor General. no interest in a jet flight. the aircraft safely.
Rulemaking (NPRM) saying that it now expects Seville in Spain. The constellation will act as likely to be delayed until
would add landing and passenger revenue aircraft, which will be a giant radio telescope production staff can safely
take-off noise standards to plummet by 55% operated by the armed to detect low-frequency return to work.
for certain classes of new compared to last year. forces of Belgium and emissions from solar
supersonic aircraft. This Annual lost revenue, says Luxembourg, is due for activity. The merger of Raytheon
NPRM comes after a IATA, is now expected to delivery in 2Q 2020. and United Technologies
proposal from the FAA in reach $314bn, with traffic The European Aviation announced last
2019 to update the rules falling 48% compared NASA has given the Safety Authority (EASA) year has now been
for Mach 1+ flight. The to 2019. The Director go-ahead for the Sun has granted CS-23 flight completed to create
NPRM is open for public General and CEO of Radio Interferometer safety certification to Raytheon Technologies
comment for 90 days from IATA, Alexandre de Juniac, Space Experiment Elixir Aircraft for its Elixir Corporation. The new
the date of publication. described the situation as (SunRISE) mission to light aircraft. Work on united company is
‘catastrophic’. send six CubeSats, the future Elixir Aircraft divided into four divisions
International airline trade 20,000 miles from Earth production plant at La covering military, space
body IATA has revised its The 100th Airbus to study massive particle Rochelle airport was technologies, Collins
projections of lost revenue A400M airlifter has made ejections from the initially scheduled for the Aerospace Systems and
for air travel downwards, its maiden flight from Sun. The nanosatellite end of May 2020 but is Pratt & Whitney.
MAY 2020 7
MAY 2020 News.indd 5 21/04/2020 15:24:53
Radome
DEFENCE AIR TRANSPORT
Look – no hands! Wuhan Airport reopens
Airbus Defence has
announced it has
after lockdown
successfully carried out The airport in Wuhan, week by 160 workers.
the world's first automatic at the epicentre of the The first flight to arrive
air-to-air refuelling (A3R) Coronavirus outbreak was a Xiamen Air flight
with a boom system. The in China, has now re- which landed at 7.45am,
trial, earlier this year over opened to passenger with the first departure
the Atlantic, used an A310 flights. Wuhan Tianhe made by a China Eastern
test aircraft and a F-16 International Airport, flight at 7.25am. Domestic
Airbus Defence
from the Portuguese Air which serves the city of passenger flights in China
Force. The trials, which Wuhan, reopened after are now starting to show
saw 120 dry contacts months of lockdown on signs of slow recovery,
logged over 45 flight 8 April after being shut with flights increasing to
hours of testing, saw the A3R, once engaged by the operator, automatically 'fly' the from 23 January. Prior to 50% of pre-Covid 2019
boom to within centimetres of the receiver aircraft while keeping it stable. Certification of opening, the terminal was levels at the beginning of
the A3R for the A330MRTT is expected to start in 2021. disinfected the previous March.
AEROSPACE SPACEFLIGHT
Airbus and Boeing scale Catch a falling rocket
back production New Zealand-based space
Rocket Lab
company Rocket Lab has
Airbus has announced that airframer reports that it reported that it successfully
it is to reduce production already has 60 undelivered completed a mid-air recovery
rates on its civil airliners, as aircraft in the first quarter test which involved snagging
the Coronavirus impacts due to the Coronavirus. an Electron rocket first stage
demand and customers Meanwhile, on 6 April which was descending under
defer deliveries. Single- Boeing announced it is a parachute with a helicopter
aisle A320 rate will go to temporarily halt 787 after being dropped by
from 60 to 40, while Dreamliner production at a second helicopter – a
widebody production of its plant in Charleston, significant milestone in
the A330 will fall from South Carolina. The halt reuseability for its Electron
3.20 a month to two. The in production activities, is launcher. The test took place
A350 production rate will ‘until further notice’ says over the ocean near New
be cut from 10 to six. The the company. Zealand in early March.
NEWS IN BRIEF
Brazil's ANAC, US FAA be fitted with specialised
Qantas long-haul pilots On 30 March, General On 15 April the Russian and Europe's EASA. sensors and computer
have voted to accept new Atomics conduced the military reportedly The Phenom 300E is vision system which can
pay and conditions for first flight of a production- conducted a direct an enhanced version of monitor temperature,
the airlines ultra-long haul representative MQ-9B ascent anti-satellite Embraer’s light jet – with a heart and respiratory
Project Sunrise – which SkyGuardian UAV. The (DA-ASAT) test. The range of 2,010nm with five rates, as well as detecting
aims to start non-stop flight saw SkyGuardian test, which involved the passengers. people sneezing and
services from the east BC03 fly from the PL19/Nudol interceptor coughing in crowds,
coast of Australia to company's facility at El launched from Plesetsk The University Of South offices, or other places
London and New York. The Mirage, California. The Cosmodrome did Australia (UniSA) is where groups may work
agreement now means SkyGuardian is set to not involve a live working with Canadian or congregate.
that current Qantas pilots form the basis of the orbital target. The US company Dragonfly to
will fly the A350-1000 Protector RG1 UAV for condemned the trial. develop a ‘pandemic The International Air
on these routes when it the Royal Air Force, with drone’ which can Transport Association
enters service, the type the next airframe BC04, to Embraer has announced remotely monitor and (IATA) has called upon
having been selected by be the first UK Protector that its Phenom 300E detect people with the International Civil
the airline. (See The final and entering service with bizjet has achieved infectious respiratory Aviation Organization
frontier for jet-lag, p 22). the RAF in the mid-2020s. type certification from conditions. The drone will (ICAO) not to use the
8 AEROSPACE
MAY 2020 News.indd 6 21/04/2020 15:24:54
SPACEFLIGHT AEROSPACE
Virgin Orbit gets set for launch EASA publishes
‘U-space’ proposals
The European Aviation down a building block for
Safety Agency (EASA) ‘U-space’ the management
has published the first of UAV air traffic in urban
global view on the use and areas. “The aim is to
control of drones in cities. ensure safe operations,
Virgin Orbit
The proposals are aimed while also creating the
at balancing commercial basis for a competitive
demand with safety and U-space services market,
On 12 April Virgin Orbit completed its final captive carry test flight, ahead of an privacy concerns. The and establishing a level of
expected first orbital payload launch. The test, carried out from Mojave Air and Space EASA opinion is also environmental protection,
Port, California, saw its Boeing 747 mothership ‘Cosmic Girl’ carry the Launcher One presented as a regulatory security and privacy that is
rocket filled with liquid nitogen, to mimic the liquid oxygen of an actual launch, as well as framework to the European acceptable to the public,”
practice the pull-up and launch profile over the ocean. The company has not yet revealed Commission for future says EASA Executive
details of its first powered orbital mission. legalisation – laying Director Patrick Ky.
DEFENCE GENERAL AVIATION
Japan to go its own way First flight for reborn Seastar
with ‘sixth-gen’ fighter
According to reports Tokyo's needs. However,
from Reuters, Japan is Japan could still tap into
set to reject US and UK foreign suppliers for key
offers to jointly develop a systems for the aircraft,
next generation fighter to with the MoD telling
Dornier SeaStar
replace its Mitsubishi F-2s. trade publication Jane's
Instead, it is aiming to lead Defence Industry that it is
the development of the set to launch a “Japan-
F-X domestically produced led development project
fighter, as proposals from possibility of international The prototype Dornier Seastar amphibious aircraft has made its first flight on 28 March
Lockheed Martin, Boeing collaboration”. A final at Oberpfaffenhofen airport in Germany. Based on the original Seastar designed in the
and BAE Systems were decision is expected at the 1980s, the New Generation composite version is equipped with a Honeywell Primus
not judged to have met end of the year. Epic 2.0 g digital glass cockpit, more efficient propellers and a stern thruster.
year 2020 as the baseline model AH-64E Apache
period for its CORSIA gunship. The ‘Echo’, in Textron Aviation has ON THE MOVE
global carbon offsetting service with the US Army announced it has
scheme for commercial has also won orders from successfully completed
aviation, because of the a further 12 customers the first engine ground Customer Services at
current low traffic figures around the world, runs of its new Cessna Continental Aerospace GlobalParts.aero.
caused by the coronavirus including India, Morocco 408 SkyCourier utility Technologies has named
outbreak. The plan had and the UK. aircraft. Tests of the Robert Stoppek as its new Isreali sensor company
been to use an average P&WC PT6A-65SC- CEO and President. CONTROP has appointed
of emissions levels in Inflatable space habitat powered 19-seat Guy Oren as its new VP
2019 and 2020 data for specialists Bigelow passenger/cargo Airport infrastructure for International Marketing
the CORSIA baseline but Aerospace has laid off all prototype were carried out specialists ADB & Sales.
IATA suggests that only its workforce. The Nevada- in Wichita, Kansas with a SAFEGATE has appointed
2019 figures should now based space company fired first flight scheduled for Laurent Dubois as its new Jim McMahon MP has
be considered. 88 of its workers, blaming later this year. FedEx is set CEO. been appointed the new
the cuts on a ‘perfect storm’ to be the launch customer, Shadow Transport Minister
Boeing has delivered the of events, including the with firm orders for 50 and Steve Farber is the new by new UK Labour leader
500th example of its latest Coronavirus. a further 50 options. Director of Sales and Sir Keir Starmer.
9
MAY 2020 News.indd 7 21/04/2020 15:24:56
By the Numbers
Understanding the world of Aerospace through data
Going the distance – the world’s longest passenger flights
Statista
10 AEROSPACE
May By The Numbers FINAL.indd 2 21/04/2020 18:50Pushing the Envelope
Exploring advances on the leading edge of aerospace
Robert Coppinger
Towards perpetual flight
T
he history of flight could be summed power supply suffers, varying through the course of
up as flying ever faster and higher than the day. The best photovoltaic efficiencies of 25-
anyone before but, with a high-altitude 30% do not help either.
platform, or pseudo satellite, (HAPS), the
aeronautical goals are being turned on Framework for extended flight
their heads. With velocities more likely to result in
a stall warning and control surfaces that would not The structure of these flying wings is crucial to
work on a conventional aircraft, nothing is typical achieving the low mass needed. The BAE Systems
about HAPS, not even the materials they are built Prismatic PHASA-35 has the wingspan of a Boeing
from. 737 but a mass of only 80kg. Owned by BAE,
Traditional aerospace materials are too heavy Prismatic is an unmanned air vehicle systems and
and not flexible enough for coping with the HAPS’ services company. More than half of that 80kg is
environment, 60,000ft to 75,000ft; also known as going to be the dense, heavy batteries. Stringing
the stratosphere. While temperatures of –90ºC, them across the wing’s length might seem like a
harsh thermal cycling, exposure to ozone, cosmic defence against turbulence induced wing loading
radiation and the ultraviolet are not unknown to high but placing the motors and batteries together in
altitude aircraft, being powered by sunlight and only specific places on the wing is better for bending
having a fraction of the available energy an aircraft moments and the centre-of-gravity.
normally has, is unfamiliar, to say the least.
To give the wing the stiffness and flexibility it
needs along its length, carbon fibre is the material
Sourcing energy of choice and the structure’s abilities are enhanced
by clever design. To avoid harmful drag the clever
Extreme endurance means that energy must be
design jettisons traditional control surfaces, such
harvested from the environment as refuelling is
as ailerons and flaps. Instead, entire surfaces, such
impractical. For HAPS, this means solar power and
as vertical or horizontal stabilisers can be used to
batteries. Batteries only have one fiftieth the energy
control lift across the wing’s span by effecting local
density of kerosene and the solar powered batteries
can be more than half the mass of a HAPS vehicle. incidence – the angle, or twisting, of part of a wing WITH VELOCITIES
Their lithium-ion chemistry does not like to work in relative to a reference axis. MORE LIKELY
The goal of extreme endurance in the
Arctic temperatures either. TO RESULT IN A
Keeping warm is not usually a problem for stratosphere has been chased for almost 30 years,
since NASA’s Environmental Research Aircraft and
STALL WARNING
aircraft flying at 60,000ft and above but for HAPS AND CONTROL
the batteries must be maintained at a temperature Sensor Technology (ERAST) programme which
because the cold will rob them of their power; and started in 1993. AeroVironment was involved in SURFACES THAT
the aircraft already has a fraction of the energy ERAST and it has since built a solar-powered 79m WOULD NOT
normally available. It is not only the stratosphere’s wingspan HAPS called HAWK30 which flew on 11 WORK ON A
cold that diverts power away from the mission September last year. Thirteen months before, on 8 CONVENTIONAL
payload, its low air density means more speed, and August 2018, Airbus’ 25m wingspan Zephyr S High AIRCRAFT,
therefore power, is needed to maintain lift. Altitude Pseudo-Satellite landed after a 25 day,
NOTHING IS
It is this overall lack of energy that leads to the 23hr and 57min flight. This year, in February, BAE
very low cruise speed, perhaps only 59kt, and the announced that PHASA-35 had made its maiden TYPICAL ABOUT
flying wing design. Low speed also means a need flight with future flight trials planned, coronavirus HAPS, NOT EVEN
for low drag and this again points to the high aspect willing. After 30 years of transatlantic efforts, THE MATERIALS
ratio wing as the solution. That wing will also be the Prismatic Managing Director, Paul Brooks, says of THEY ARE BUILT
solar array but one that cannot track the Sun, so its the HAPS challenge: everything is against you. FROM.
MAY 2020 11Transmission
LETTERS AND ONLINE @aerosociety i Find us on LinkedIn f Find us on Facebook www.aerosociety.com
Aircraft cabin air con and Flybe collapse
Covid-19 I don’t want to be pedantic (long-term) aircraft leases, an
in these dreadful times for abortive attempt by Virgin/
As a retired aerospace but worse from smokers’
our industry but I do feel Stobart to save the enterprise
engineer who once had to pollution, then allowed. Of
that we shouldn’t allow fake and, to cap it all, a few £m
travel all over the world by course particulate filtering
news to infiltrate the chaos spent on repainting the
air, it is clear to me that the to better than the size of the
we are all suffering. I refer fleet purple – why? – and
Coronavirus has highlighted viruses would be a must and,
specifically to your news item then a decision with further
the inadequacies of the of course, heating. I am not
in AEROSPACE magazine expenditure in the dying days
current 50% recirculating an aircon expert but is seems RAeS sound archives
under Air Transport on page to repaint them all back to
and 50% external air supply to me the industry must put
7 of the April edition headed white! All this happened a
basis of modern aircraft its house in order after this @KenZeroHarm [On the
‘Regional Airlines go under’. long time before anyone had
cabin air systems. The less international calamity largely RAeS podcast archive(4)]
The article infers that Flybe ever heard of Coronavirus.
economic older 100% exacerbated by existing Must listen to Hugh Dibley!
collapsed solely because of We should get the facts
external air systems was aircraft cabin air systems. @atrainability
the Coronavirus outbreak. straight; Flybe failed because
clearly safer from the infection
For years Flybe was beset of commercial reasons, not a
transmission standpoint Bill Andrews
with poor management global pandemic that no one
decisions over a period of saw coming. @someoneorother The
f i
time, loss making routes Joe Kittinger one. Standing
that perpetuated, expensive Tim Proctor FRAeS on the edge not knowing if
you’re gonna go up or down
when you step off.
UK to leave EASA RAeS NHS appeal
@hlockett6 Amazing 1920’s
Clayton P Henderson Naveed Kapadia [On recording that takes you on a
[On Breaking formation(2)] RAeS appeal for volunteers flying lesson in a de Havilland
Very informative. However to provide technical expertise Moth. A beautiful listen.
Puzzling balloons HMS Prince of Wales (to clarify), an ICAO Annex 1 to the NHS] Tried registering #avgeek How to fly an
compliant National Aircraft but seems there is an over aircraft by Sir Alan Cobham
RAeS/NAL
maintenance license issued subscription, so will wait until Hon FRAeS.
by the UK CAA (irrespective it reopens. British altruism at
of any form of BASA), must its finest.
be used in conjunction with
an organisational certification
authorisation – with respect
From the RAeS photo archives
to both UK and non-UK
RAeS/NAL
The Royal Navy’s newest registered aircraft.
aircraft carrier HMS Prince of
Wales visited Liverpool at the
Challenge yourself! Order end of February. Paul Cotton No doubt
a jigsaw from our National recent events will bring some
Aerospace Library such as Captain Ameen Budagher priorities to focus on and this
this 400-piece jigsaw of first [On board Britain’s new will not be one.
aerial voyage in a hydrogen supercarrier(1)] An amazing
balloon on 1 December 1783 world-class technology and
made by Jacques Alexander
RAeS Briefing Note
fire power, ruling the blue
César Charles and Monsieur waters. Jordan Penning [On RAeS
Ainé Robert. Our library has
briefing note of UK decision
one of the most extensive Geoffrey Wardle Good to leave EASA(3] A fantastic
early ballooning collections article, well illustrated brought document, such a good
in the world, reproductions of to mind an excellent RAeS amount of detail. Lt-Col Charles E Yeager (centre), the first pilot to exceed
which are available. lecture presentation at the the speed of sound in level flight; with (right) Sqn Ldr Neville
Preston Branch in December Duke, at that time Chief Test Pilot, Hawker Aircraft, who, in
on the F-35B trials on HMS Yves Morier Thank you 1953, became holder of the world air speed record when he
Dave Dunphy maybe we Queen Elizabeth. for sharing. Very thorough flew a Hawker Hunter at 727.63mph; and (left) Peter Twiss,
could get Somme Sadler
document. Fairey Aviation, who, on 10 March 1956, broke the world air
jigsaws made?
speed record, raising it to 1,132mph. They are at the Royal
Deepak Chandra Aeronautical Society’s HQ at No.4 Hamilton Place, prior to
Dave Davies Good idea ! Chandola Interesting article Yeager’s RAeS lecture, High speed test flying, delivered on
We have some great images! to read. 19 April 1956.
12 AEROSPACEeasyJet to cancel UK to leave EASA Red Arrow makes quarantine cleaning find
Airbus orders
@AviationLed [On the UK @RAFRed1 During
@Coxy847 [On Stelios goes leaving EASA(2)] In a post quaracleaning, found this
to war with easyJet to cancel Covid-19 crisis universe, all @AeroSociety centenary
outstanding Airbus orders] bets are off and the UK could journal from 1966. Insightful
Why can’t the new order once again become a beacon articles but the MOST stark
be deferred until such time for leadership, as it was six indication of change? The
that capacity in the sector decades ago. Who dares adverts Included
increases raising the need wins? @British_Airways
for additional aircraft? They predecessors (and BEA
don’t have to shell out billions. paint) and lots of VC10s/
Airbus doesn’t have cancelled @AS332L Given some of BAC 1-11s. Heyday of
orders. From an outsider the c*** that has come out of aircraft production?
looking in this would seem EASA over the years – not
entirely logical to me. sure I am too worried!
@Patrici63579136 What @DavidFischak Call me a @66figgy66 First time I flew
a marvellous find Martin. I weirdo, but I honestly envy was in a BAC 1-11.
@jay27sx Because it’s @AviationVincent The love the old write ups and the Brits for their history in
not going to go back to decision adds pain to pain. It the styles etc, I just love aerospace.
pre-Coronavirus level for was taken before the basic discovery of any kind. Have @iain_cardwell I like how
quite some time. No point impact of the pandemic was a wonderful Easter, and they use the word silent to
in deferring the order for a understood. A wise politician please, Stay Safe. describe a VC10! My first
@TheLadyFicton I
year if they’re not going to be would reverse it or at least posting was
managed to procure an
needed for five. Airlines have defer it. The world is going to @RAFBrizeNorton as a
original of the Queen’s visit to
instead started to speed up look so different in 2021. sootie... those engines were
@RAF_Odiham a while back
aircraft disposal timelines, @ionasurveyor A mention for the inspection of the air definitely the opposite of
such as the 747. of the Comet! My Grandfather force, and in the programme silent. British-made aircraft
used to say it was his there were adverts for the though... they were the
Photo challenge favourite passenger plane. dehavilland vampire and days.
RAeS webinair topics venom! Amazing stuff.
@AviationVincent [On
Online RAeS webinars –
what topics would YOU like
@philip_e_davies
New RAeS Fellow
Clyde Space
to see covered?] When you
have a safe system how do Awesome – welcome to the
you make it safer? Is SMS Society, the Space Group is
@AACClydeSpace We’d
working or not? What’s next? very active and our Group
like to congratulate
chairman, Howard Nye
@craig_s_clark, Founder &
(retired from ESA), is the next
CSO of @AACClydeSpace,
@Nickel23Matt Electric Society President.
on becoming a Fellow of the
Aircraft developments – first Royal Aeronautical Society
GA electric aircraft gained @AeroSociety, the world’s
EASA certification this week. @Craig_S_Clark I’m so
only professional membership
happy and honoured to
Join the challenge of posting association dedicated to the
New RAeS Fellow – Craig become a Fellow of
an aviation photo. Just a #aerospace and #aviation
Clark, founder and CSO of @AeroSociety. I have seen
@Sivrup1980 Aerospace industry. #FRAeS bit.
photo, no description. The Clyde Space. first hand the support they
medicine!
goal is to post positives give their members, promote
instead of spreading negativity. STEM with young people
@SouthernFairy16 Air @SpaceCraigUK Wicked. @kcourtneybis
Just copy the text and post it and help the aerospace
accident investigation. Congratulations. Congratulations Craig!
with a nice picture.’ sector evolve in changing/
https://twitter.com/RAeS_ challenging times. Thank you
@APrelicz Air and space law.
Dawn/ Royal Aeronautical Society.
@MattCosby Well done @dokataria Congratulations
Craig! Craig.
1. https://www.aerosociety.com/news/on-board-britain-s-new-supercarrier/
2. https://www.aerosociety.com/news/the-uk-and-easa-breaking-formation/
3. https://www.aerosociety.com/media/13609/raes_brexit_briefing_civil_aerospace_aviation_and_space_post_transition_period_april_2020_final.pdf
4. https://www.aerosociety.com/events/catch-up-on-events/video-audio-archive/
@aerosociety i linkedin.com/raes f facebook.com/raes www.aerosociety.com MAY 2020 13AEROSPACE
Mobilising against the pandemic
San Francisco International Airport
Hope given wings
BILL READ FRAeS provides a snapshot of how all sections of the global aerospace
community are helping to keep the world’s aerial lifelines open for the transport of
people, cargo and medical supplies, to produce vital medical equipment and to assist
frontline medical staff in the battle against the Coronavirus pandemic.
T
he spread of the Coronavius pandemic British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, Easyjet, Jet2 and
around the world has resulted in Titan Airways to provide flights to repatriate British
unprecedented changes to the global nationals from Australia, New Zealand, Singapore,
airline and aerospace industry as aircraft Peru, China, Japan, Africa and India.
are grounded, airports closed and Other countries around the world have also
manufacturing output halted. However, the aerospace been organising special evacuation flights to return
industry around the world has responded to the their citizens home, including Germany, Austria,
crisis in a remarka q qble outpouring of talents, Switzerland, France, Sweden, Norway, Denmark,
Christchurch Airport
skills and dedication, to providing vital medical and Turkey, Singapore, India, Australia and the USA.
cargo transport, refocusing production to produce Because of the current international air space
vital medical equipment and providing much-needed restrictions, many of the flights were operated
volunteers to assist frontline medical staff. over very long distances. El Air flew a 787-9 from
Melbourne to Tel Aviv while Austrian Airlines flew a Above: Austrian Airlines
Getting back home 777-200 16,000km from Vienna to Sydney. repatriation flight.
Top: ‘Heart and Hope’ window
One of the many problems resulting from the lighting at San Francisco
Medical evacation International Airport.
grounding of most of the world’s airlines has been
that many tourists and overseas workers who Other aviation companies have also been involved Below: Leonardo helicopters,
such as the AW139, have been
are aboard have been unable to get back home with medical evacuation (medivac) flights transporting
equipped with biocontaiment
to their own countries. As a result, many national infected patients to hospitals. In Germany, ADAC stretchers.
governments have been organising repatriation flights Luftrettung, the air rescue division of Germany’s
to bring their citizens home. largest automobile association, is using its fleet
of over 50 H135 and H145 air ambulances to
International rescue flights support the country’s emergency services. German
air ambulance specialists FAI rent-a-jet AG has
In the UK, a statement from the Foreign & been busy evacuating both infected patients and
Commonwealth Office on 30 March said that it repatriation flights for healthy individuals in different
had signed a memorandum of understanding with locations around the world.
14 AEROSPACENational military forces are also helping with Slovakia and the Czech Republic. On 14 April UK-
medivac operations. The Italian Air Force has made based charter company Chapman Freeborn arranged
its Leonardo HH-101A Caesar helicopter available a flight on an Antonov An-225 to carry nearly
to the Italian civil authorities for biocontainment 1,000m³ of supplies from China to Warsaw in Poland.
transport. The Spanish air force has deployed an Other specialised aircraft operators are also
A400M to deliver medical materiel from China to offered their services. US aerial firefighting company
Spain, as well as using two C295 transport aircraft Bridger Aerospace has offered its fleet of Daher
to deliver medical supplies to the Canary Islands. Kodiak 100s and Twin Commanders not required
Spanish armed forces are also keeping Super Puma for firefighting missions to support local health and
helicopters on alert to transfer patients. The German regional blood-donation efforts.
air force has operated a number of medivac flights General aviation pilots are also involved. Pilots
using an A310 and an A400M while the RAF flew a working for the UK Civil Air Patrol (UKCAP) are
A400M with a critically ill patient from the Shetlands delivering supplies and spare parts for medical
Islands to intensive care in Aberdeen. equipment on behalf of the NHS. One recent flight
Offshore aviation company Bristow Helicopters is saw a Van RV-7 flown by UKCAP pilot Paul Stone
using three specially-configured Sikorsky S92 search deliver an electrical circuit board for a medical
and rescue (SAR) helicopters to transport Covid-19 ventilator from Oxford to Kingston upon Hull.
patients from North Sea oil platforms.
Airfreight resurgence
Regional ambulance
Virgin Atlantic
Scottish regional airline Loganair has converted one
of its Twin Otter aircraft into an air ambulance. The
aircraft has been adapted to carry epishuttle isolation
pods for the safe carriage of Covid-19 patients by
air. Loganair is also converting a larger Saab 340
Right: Virgin aircraft
regional turboprop into an air ambulance to carry two
transporting essential
freight. epishuttle pods and accompanying medical teams.
Below: BA aircraft loading
medical supplies at Medical supply flights
Shanghai. While the need to transport medical equipment and
Many airlines are using aircraft to carry medical supplies is currently a major factor driving demand
supplies, including Iberia, IAG Cargo, Virgin Atlantic, for airfreight, there is also a demand for conventional
British Airways
Wizz Air and Air India. The US Government has set up air cargo shipments to keep the world’s trade flowing.
Project Airbridge to charter private carriers to transport The International Air Transport Association (IATA)
vital medical supplies needed by US hospitals. issued a statement saying that: ‘Since the crisis
began, air cargo has been a vital partner in delivering
Airbus, Boeing and Lockheed Martin much-needed medicines, medical equipment
(including spare parts/repair components), and in
Airbus has been purchasing and supplying millions of keeping global supply chains functioning for the most
face masks from China to Europe using an A330-800, time-sensitive materials. Air cargo is also instrumental
an A330 Multi-Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) and its in transporting food and other products purchased
A350-1000 test aircraft. online in support of quarantine and social distancing
Boeing has donated masks, gloves and other policies implanted by states.’
equipment to hospitals, as well as offering its The past month has seen a resurgence in air
Dreamlifter cargo carrier to help transport healthcare cargo movements. In the UK, Heathrow airport has
supplies. Meanwhile, Lockheed Martin donated the use reported a 53% rise in cargo movements, as more
of its corporate aircraft and vehicle fleet for Covid-19 airlines and cargo operators start to transport medical
relief logistical support and medical supply delivery. supplies. Meanwhile. Amsterdam Schiphol Airport has
reported an increase in cargo flights from an average
Freight forwarders and firefighters of 35 per day to 70.
On 22 March Virgin Atlantic operated its first ever
Support is also coming from a wide variety of other cargo-only charter, transporting 12,490kg of medical
Leonado
aviation businesses. German ground handling and pharmaceutical goods from Heathrow to JFK
company Frankfurt Cargo Services (FCS) reports that Airport in New York. Air India is operating cargo flights
it has provided handling services for flights carrying from Shanghai to Delhi to bring in critical medical
medical supplies from the US, China and Mexico. equipment. Logistics company Move One reported
On 31 March French freight forwarders GEFCO that it recently arranged a 737F cargo charter flight
also arranged a shipment of medical supplies from carrying urgently required foodstuffs from France to
Shanghai to Bratislava to help tackle Covid-19 in Benghazi in Libya.
MAY 2020 15AEROSPACE
Mobilising against the pandemic
Many airlines have begun redeploying passenger Disinfectant, car keys and coughs
aircraft for freight haulage. At the end of March,
around 40 airlines were operating an estimated 130 In addition to monitor people, modified agricultural
passenger aircraft as freighters, including American drones are being used to spray disinfectant over
Airlines, Delta, United Airlines, Southwest, Etihad, Qatar potentially contaminated areas. Drones are being
Airways, Jin Air, Korean Air and Air New Zealand. used to disinfect urban areas in China while, in South
Korea, DJI agricultural drones are being used to spray
Do Don’t put luggage on the seats disinfectant on city streets.
UAVs from Japanese manufacturer Terra Drone
Passenger aircraft are not ideally adapted for carrying have been used in China to transport medical
cargo, as they lack the large doors in the size of the samples and quarantine supplies between a hospital
fuselage fitted to cargo-only aircraft which enable in Xinchang county to the disease control centre
large pallets to be loaded on and off. However, this of Xinchang . Chinese carmaker Geely has also
does not preclude their use for carrying smaller items introduced a service for customers to buy a car online
of freight. While some airlines have removed the seats and have the car keys delivered by drone.
from passenger cabins to convert them into cargo The University Of South Australia (UniSA) is
holds, other carriers are carrying cargo stored on developing a ‘pandemic drone’ which can remotely
passenger seats. While small boxes (such as those monitor and detect people with infectious respiratory
containing medical or pharmaceutical supplies) can conditions. UniSA has fitted drones manufactured
be carried on passenger seats, there is a safety issue, by Canadian company Dragonfly with a specialised
as the boxes need to be secured to the seats with sensor and computer vision system which it claims
straps or restraints to avoid them shifting in flight. can remotely monitor temperature, heart and
In response to the increased demand for respiratory rates, as well as detecting people sneezing
freighters, the European Union Aviation Safety or coughing in places where groups of people may
Agency (EASA), issued updated guidance for work or congregate.
passenger-as-freighter aircraft operations. EASA has Spain and Italy are also reported to be using
given supplementary type certification approval for an drones fitted with thermal cameras to take people’s
interior modification for Airbus A320 family aircraft temperatures, as well as for medical deliveries.
which enables seats to be used to carry cargo using
Left: Leonardo is
a cargo seat-bag configuration. Cargo seat bags
Leonardo
producing 3D printed
have been developed by several companies, including plastic valves for
Colibri Aero and Trip & Co. respirators at its
aerostructures plants in
Send in the drones Italy.
Below: Reaction Engines
Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) have also been is 3D printing visors for
put to use to assist with combating the Covid-19 key workers.
outbreak. A number of national governments and Below left: Terra Drone
enforcement agencies are using UAVs to monitor transporting medical
samples in China.
the movement of people in restricted areas to help
enforce lockdown and social distancing, including
Leonardo
the UK, The Netherlands, Spain, Malaysia, China and
India.
PPE production
Terra Drone
Reaction Engines
Meanwhile, aerospace manufacturers are using
their resources to help manufacture much needed
personal protective equipment (PPE). Many
manufacturers are equipped with 3D printing
machines which can be configured to producing PPE
components.
In the UK, a consortium of aerospace, automotive
and medical companies have come together to
produce 10,000 medical ventilators. Named the
VentilatorChallengeUK consortium, participating
companies include Airbus, BAE Systems, GKN
Aerospace, Meggitt, Rolls-Royce, Smiths and Thales.
Airbus is using over 20 3D printers at its Spanish
16 AEROSPACEproduction facilities to manufacture polylactic acid new St John Ambulance Covid-19 volunteering
plastic visor frames which will be distributed to local programme which places trained volunteers into
hospitals and medical centres. Boeing has begun essential NHS wards and departments around the
using its additive manufacturing machines at its UK to free up professional health staff.
facilities in St Louis, El Segundo, Mesa, Huntsville and
Philadelphia to manufacture face shields. Lockheed Project Wingman
Martin is to donate $2m for personal protective
equipment items, as well as starting limited production Pilots and other airline crew from British Airways,
of PPE and medical face shields. BA CityFlyer, easyJet and Norwegian are also
helping with Project Wingman in which part of the
Engineers, GA and firefighters staff canteen at the Archway hospital run by The
Whittington NHS Trust is turned into a ‘first class
Profect wingman
Switzerland-based IMI Precision Engineering has lounge’ to provide off-duty health staff with ‘tea and
adapted its manufacturing capability to produce the sympathy’.
IMI FAS FLATPROP valve, an essential component in
healthcare ventilator units. Above: Participants of
Engineers working for US GA manufacturer Piper ‘Project Wingman’.
Aircraft have designed and produced a prototype Left: SAS Cabin Crew
face shield with off-the shelf material. US aerial healthcare training in
firefighting company Bridger Aerospace is using a Sweden.
newly constructed hangar to assemble plastic medical
face shields for local medical providers while heavy
lift helicopter operator, Billings Flying Service, has
reprogrammed its 3D printer to produce protective
face masks for local medical personnel.
SAS
Rocketeers, UAM and MRO
Sweden and Singapore
Scottish rocket launch company Skyrora has
restructured its manufacturing division to produce In Sweden, furloughed cabin crew from Scandanavian
face visors using their 3D-printing facilities. The airline SAS are being offered a three-day fast track
company has also begun making hand sanitiser, with healthcare training course at Sophia Hemmet
the target of over 10,000, 250ml bottles per week. university to build upon their basic First Aid
US urban air mobility company Beta Technologies knowledge so that they can assist the Swedish
is working with the University of Vermont Medical healthcare system battle the Covid-19 pandemic.
Center and other state businesses and institutions to In Singapore, over 300 cabin crew from Singapore
create a reusable N95 personal protective equipment Airlines (SAI) have volunteered to be 300 ‘care
mask. The company is also developing ‘an automated ambassadors’ at local hospitals.
emergency-use smart ventilator’ to assist critical-care
patients. Nebraskan maintenance, repair and overhaul Project Caircraft
(MRO) facility Duncan Aviation is using its aircraft
interior refurbishment skills and contacts to design There have also been calls to use grounded aircraft
and manufacture protective face masks for local as temporary hospitals. A group known as Project
hospitals. Caircraft spearheaded by aviation expert Chris Tarry is
calling upon airlines to convert their larger widebodied
Volunteer army aircraft into care wards to treat Covid-19 patients. The
group explains that aircraft have the advantage that
Meanwhile, airline air crews are redeploying their they already are hermetically sealed and fitted with
skills to work on the ground. Cabin crew from British one-way laminar airflow systems crucial to controlling
Airways, Virgin Atlantic, easyJet and Aer Lingus have airborne contamination. Aircraft fitted out as intensive
volunteered to assist with the new NHS Nightingale care units (ICU) could also be flown to other countries
Hospital and other hospitals, the London Ambulance which might need them. Using aircraft also has the
Service and for the NHS Volunteer Responders. advantage that the adjacent airports already offer
Eleswhere, TUI Airways cabin crew have joined the transport links, parking and hotels for medical staff.
RAeS Appeal: In March the RAeS was asked by the Royal Academy of Engineering on behalf of NHS England,
to ask how the Society, as a Professional Engineering Institution, could support the NHS in providing technical
expertise. The RAeS is currently asking members to volunteer to provide Auxiliary Engineering Support to hospitals.
An extended version of this article can be found in Aerospace Insight on www.aerosociety.com
MAY 2020 17You can also read
