Conference Centre, Bristol
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Overview
The development of autonomous e-VTOL air vehicles continues at pace, with several companies world-wide already testing their products. Aimed at a market for urban air mobility, these high-technology products present a new challenge to the regulatory agencies and several national certification authorities are addressing the need to make arrangements to accommodate these innovative vehicles.
Amongst the new technologies that feature in these vehicles is electric propulsion. Although battery technology is improving, viable fully-electric propulsion technology for current commercial aircraft is not expected for another decade; however, the endurance requirements for urban air mobility vehicles can be met today. Although traditional aerospace companies based in the UK such as Airbus and Rolls-Royce have unveiled their e-VTOL concepts, a number of start-ups have already carried out test flights.
Samad Aerospace is developing an eVTOL business jet concept that will represent a viable, cost-effective alternative to both business jets and high-performance passenger helicopters. Their Starling Fleet product range will be based on a Blended-Wing-Body design with all-composite airframe and full VTOL capability. The technology that Samad Aerospace is developing is applicable in many ways to the evolving Urban Air Mobility market. The seminar aims to explore and discuss the issues around development and certification of these innovative products.
Day 1
12:50 - Seminar Programme
12:50 – Introduction and Welcome
13:00 – Samad Aerospace
14:00 – CAA
15:00 – Coffee and Networking
15:30 – Rolls-Royce
16:30 - End of Seminar
Sonya White: UAM Specialist and Innovation Case Officer, UKCAA
Sonya has been working at the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) for seven years, with a background in Intelligence, Offshore and Emergency Helicopters, Airworthiness, and Commercial Spaceflight Regulation. Her current role is within the Innovation Hub as the Urban Air Mobility (UAM) specialist and case officer. Her main responsibilities include working with industry to trial UAM concepts in the UK, representing the CAA on national and international UAM working groups, developing risk models, and providing regulatory advice to innovators. Sonya has a Bachelor’s degree in Physics (with a particular focus on astrophysics, computer programming, and mathematics), and is currently studying a Data Science degree part time.
Norman Wijker: Head of Engineering Research and Development, Samad Aerospace
Norman is an aeronautical engineer with 30 years of experience in commercial aerospace and marine engineering. His background in aerospace structures includes experience with Airbus and Boeing in landing gear design, future projects and aircraft integration and he has lectured at a number of UK universities. His skills in design and systems thinking bring a holistic approach to research strategy, particularly in the area of industrial/academic partnerships when planning the research activities for Samad Aerospace.
Alex Georgiades: Autonomous Systems Specialist and Innovation Case Officer, UKCAA
Alex has been working at the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) since early 2019 as the Autonomous Systems Specialist of the organisation and one of the case officers of the Innovation Hub. He is primarily responsible for providing technical expertise on matters such as Artificial Intelligence and Autonomous Systems. Furthermore, he is collaborating with innovators to safely trial novel solutions aiming at modernising the aviation and aerospace industries; with a particular emphasis on autonomous drones and beyond visual line of sight operations. Alex obtained his PhD in Aerospace Engineering from Cranfield University while working at Airbus, after which he joined the University of Bristol as a postdoctoral research associate in aerial field robotics.
Nick Makinson: E-Fan X Programme, Rolls-Royce
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