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Technology update
From auto to aero?The links between engineering in the aerospace and automotive industries tend to be ill defined. However, that may change—at least, in the UK. There is growing concern in some areas of the aerospace industry about a shortage of engineers with appropriate skills and knowledge. Now, INCAT (a global company that supplies engineering design training, information technology, and consulting as well as outsources engineering services) and the UK's Cranfield University have established a joint venture training initiative, which they believe might attract automotive engineers to the aerospace industry. The program will incorporate a generic module covering the characteristics of aerospace design and manufacture, plus specific modules on stress analysis, structural design, and tooling. Cranfield's Dr. Ip-Shing Fan said of the scheme, "INCAT has already proven its ability to cross-train engineers from aerospace into automobile industry practices, so it is an ideal partner for us in this initiative, bringing valuable 'real-life' practical experience to our academic skill-set." Dr. Gary Wallace of INCAT added, "Planned plant closures, the strength of Sterling, and vehicle over-capacity are all creating difficulties for those working in the automotive sector. Meanwhile, aerospace engineering is booming, but is experiencing a real talent shortage that looks set to get worse. Major civil aircraft programs such as the Airbus A380, A400M, and A310 replacement have created strong demand for engineers of various disciplines to deliver against stringent time and cost budgets over the next few years." - Stuart Birch Boeing looks to speed and range
With attributes such as speed and range at the top of airlines' wish lists, the Boeing Co. has announced plans to develop a faster, long-range commercial transport. "This is the airplane our customers have asked us to concentrate on," said President and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes Alan Mulally. "They share our view that this new airplane could change the way the world flies as dramatically as did the introduction of the jet age." The ability to fly at speeds of Mach 0.95 or faster over extended ranges will allow passengers to fly where they want to, when they want to, and directly to their destinations, avoiding congested hubs and the hassle and delay of intermediate stops. "When we combine higher speed, longer range, the comfort of flight at higher altitudes, and the environmental benefits of quieter landings and takeoffs, we have an airplane that will open a new chapter in commercial aviation," said Mulally. "We are changing our new product development efforts to focus more strongly on this airplane that has caused such excitement among our customers. It will be an ideal complement to our current family." According to Mulally, the company's aircraft families already hit a number of markets successfully. He also said that Boeing would continue to reexamine the market for the need to do a larger 747. However, it has named 747X Program Manager Walt Gillette to lead the development of the new high-speed, long-range aircraft. Boeing plans to work with airlines to determine the new airplane's final configuration and operational performance targets. However, the company is still left with the question of what range the aircraft should have. Today's long-range aircraft can fly from 6600-8500 nmi at speeds between Mach 0.80 and Mach 0.85. The Longer-Range Boeing 777-200, due to enter service in 2004, will be capable of routes as far as 8810 nmi. With speeds of Mach 0.95 or higher, the new aircraft being proposed by Boeing will make trips even quicker on any existing routes and may introduce entirely new routes that are up to 9000 nmi or farther. If even longer range is required, the airplane will be designed to fly more than 10,000 nmi. For example, this would open service between London, England, and Sydney, Australia, as well as between Sydney and New York. Such nonstop trips will take a little over 18 h to complete. Today, it takes much longer and requires a layover to fly from London to Sydney. - Frank Bokulich
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