Keywords
Citation
(2001), "Hands on" design course gets applause from BAe Systems", Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, Vol. 73 No. 2. https://doi.org/10.1108/aeat.2001.12773bab.024
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2001, MCB UP Limited
"Hands on" design course gets applause from BAe Systems
"Hands on" design course gets applause from BAe Systems
Keywords Cranfield College of Aeronautics, Aircraft engineering, Design, Education
It is reported that an aircraft engineering course credited with putting 20 years' experience into just three years of part-time study hes been acclaimed by BAe Systems' CEO John Weston as "a unique course that trains our up-and-coming engineers to be the best".
The Cranfield College of Aeronautics Masters degree, now in its sixth year, is believed to be the only one of its kind which gives young design engineers the opportunity to work on a real project from drawing board to flight in the comprehensive, "Design, Build & Fly" project.
It is this unique experience that Weston says provides BAe Systems with the calibre of graduate recruits to work on its broad range of military projects. He said: "This is hard won experience which would be difficult to deliver in any other way and equips the students with important experience modules for future chief engineer roles".
Weston was speaking at a reception for students past and present at Cranfield College of Aeronautics recently. Since the course was launched in 1995 almost 70 students have graduated with the "hands-on" MSc. During the event, test pilot Roger Bailey put the students' flying Proof of Concept demonstrator, the Cranfield Al-400 Eagle, through its paces. Redesigned as a two-seater by students in 1998, the aircraft was further modified by last year's intake to achieve enhanced performance by the design, manufacture and installation of a new composite material fin and rudder.
Also on view was the Eclipse jet-powered unmanned aerial vehicle designed by last year's graduates as well as on-going project work from current students, including a 600+ seat blended wing body sub-wide demonstrator and a high altitude long endurance unmanned air vehicle (UAV) proof-of-concept vehicle "HALE".
Further details are available from Cranfield University. Tel: +44 (0)1234 754635.