Improved Rolling Behaviour using Folding Wingtips

Numerical and experimental studies at the University of Bristol, in collaboration with Airbus, have considered the effect of floating folding wingtips on aircraft rolling behaviour.

The work has built upon previous investigations to demonstrate the benefits of “Semi-Aeroelastic Hinge” devices to enable reduced drag through increased aspect ratios whilst passively reducing the gust loads.

These tests have shown that the roll rate of high aspect ratio wing aircraft designs can be increased by employing such wingtips without the need for an increase in the control surface area.

Moreover, the roll-rate is shown to be similar to that of a wing without any extension, suggesting retro-fitting an aircraft with such a device may be possible.

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New FlyZero project aiming to produce a low carbon aircraft within next 10 years needs academics

The Aerospace Technology Institute (ATI), with support from the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS), has launched the FlyZero project to determine the concept for a new low carbon aircraft to be introduced within a decade.

This work is a national effort that aims to define concepts to give the UK a lead in low-carbon aviation. It will inspire a number of larger research programmes providing academics with the opportunity to make a mark and bolster university innovation.

The UK Aerospace Research Consortium (UK-ARC) is the focus for academic engagement but there will be engagement beyond the 11 UK-ARC aerospace research-intensive universities.

The ATI are looking for academics to participate in the project and opened a secondment recruitment process in September to draw expertise into the core team (expected to be up to 100 people) to work through many conceptual aspects of the challenge.

Leading academics in relevant fields of expertise are encouraged to apply for these 12 month full-time posts.

The FlyZero project has also identified the need for an Academic Coordinator and this post will be advertised during September on the ATI FlyZero website.

Whilst the main concept development work will be undertaken within the FlyZero core team, it has been recognised that promising technologies are likely to need deep technology team analysis within separate academic teams along the lines of those previously stood up by DARPA in the US.

FlyZero represents an exciting opportunity for academia as this is lower TRL work where expertise within UK-ARC universities could have a real impact and spur new multi-year projects.

For more information about the project and the secondment roles please visit their website https://www.ati.org.uk/flyzero/ or contact Dr Adrian Cole via email A.C.Cole@cranfield.ac.uk.

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UK-ARC Supports First Virtual Farnborough 2020

Members of the UK Aerospace Research Consortium (UK-ARC) representing the UK’s leading aerospace research universities were pleased to support the Farnborough International Airshow Connect (“Virtual Farnborough”) programme.

During the five day event the members took part in a series of technical presentations, careers events and panel sessions showcasing the universities as being a key part of the UK’s aerospace research capability.

Some of the events during the week included;

  • “Aircraft Cabin of the Future” – a 360 VR video by Dr Tom Budd (Cranfield University)
  • “Careers in Digital Aviation” – Panel Session hosted by Prof Graham Braithwaite (Cranfield University) and including representatives from Boeing and Blue Bear Systems Research
  • “Women in Aviation and Aerospace Charter Panel Session –  How do we maintain the focus on diversity and inclusion as the industry recovers from COVID-19”

In addition to the above events UK-ARC members provided a full range of materials through the Farnborough website including; Technical insights, PhD research “snap shots” plus a variety of downloadable information.

UK-ARC continues to strive to serve the UK aerospace industry through world-leading research expertise and research infrastructure.  UK-ARC member universities also make a vital contribution to the aerospace skills supply chain by developing and supporting aerospace engineers key to the future of the UK’s aerospace sector.

The UK Aerospace Research Consortium brings together leading UK universities, acting collectively to facilitate high-level, strategic engagement with the UK aerospace sector on transformational aerospace research and coordinated access to the best of the UK research base. The UK-ARC members are:

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Bio-Safe Flight – Areas Of Research Expertise

The UK-ARC recently surveyed its members to assess the breadth and depth of multidisciplinary expertise and research activity which could be brought to bear to ensure a bio-safe flight environment should a future pandemic occur at some point in the future.

Nearly 60 areas of relevant expertise and research activity were identified such as the development of anti-viral surfaces using a myriad of strategies; sensor development for virus detection; advanced computational modelling, data analytics and artificial intelligence to track the spread of pathogens; new techniques for passenger tracking and monitoring safe distances; future bio-safe cabin concepts; rapid disinfection strategies, cyber and hardware security and agile, and rapid manufacturing strategies for sudden high demand PPE and medical equipment provision.

By adopting a whole system approach to this challenge, other areas of expertise offered by the consortium include policy development for workforce protection and safe operating practices, labour laws, mitigation strategies for workplace stress, mental health, and behavioural science.

For further details please contact enquiries@ukarc.ac.uk

 

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