Newsletter of the Aeronautical Society of South Africa

Transcription

1 A Division of the Royal Aeronautical Society Newsletter of the Aeronautical Society of South Africa December 2017 In This Issue New AeSSA president & 2018 council members AeSSA Annual Conference 2017: All about it! 2018 Annual Conference #AerospacePeople: YP Networking Women in Aerospace Student winners A-rating for UP s Prof Josua Meyer Marié Botha elected as President The Aeronautical Society of South Africa (a division of the Royal Aeronautical Society) announced its new president, the CSIR s Marié Botha, at the Annual General Meeting on 15 November Botha succeeds the outgoing president, Dr Glen Snedden, of the CSIR. Marié is responsible for a basket of deliverables at the CSIR. She is programme manager for the Aerospace Industry Support Initiative, an initiative of the Department of Trade and Industry, which is hosted by the CSIR. Her office is also responsible for the implementation of the Department of Science and Technology s composites initiatives, as well as the Office of Outreach: Aerospace Challenge Aerospace careers Young Falcons Wings Parade AeSSA lecture: Comair Limited AeSSA-branded jackets on sale! Digital Advantage (ODA) monitoring the implementation of the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) roadmap. She plays an important strategic role as key account manager: aerospace at the CSIR. She is a Stellenbosch University alumnus with a Master s degree in commerce, with particular focus on optimisation and supply chain management. Her specialisation includes technology management, value chain mapping, lean manufacturing and the aerospace industry. The first woman president of the Society, Marié has an invaluable network of local and international stakeholders and collaborators in industry, academia, government and science councils. These benefits, combined with her passion for local innovation, and drive for youth development, will ensure that the key activities of the society continue smoothly on the strong basis laid by her predecessors. 1

2 AeSSA Annual Conference All the latest information on this event RAeS The website of the Royal Aeronautical Society Council members for 2018 confirmed At the Council meeting held on 29 November 2017, the office bearers and council members for 2018 were confirmed as follows: President: Vice-President: Honorary Secretary: Honorary Treasurer: Cape Chapter: Outreach: New members of council: Marié Botha Danie Loots Liza Barnard Glen Snedden René Heise & Ron Powrie David Toma & John Monk Andy Crawford (Flight Test Society of South Africa); Johnnie van den Berg; Jyotika Singh; Refilwe Ledwaba All the news on AeSSA s Annual Conference 2017 Contact Us Aeronautical Society of South Africa NPC Registration number 2000/026325/08 P.O. Box Die Hoewes (0) info@aessa.org.za 2 A record number of international keynote addresses and side events, 30 abstract presentations as well as two special lectures were some of the highlights of the 2017 Annual Conference of the Aeronautical Society of South Africa (AeSSA). Held under the theme, Today s Research and Technology for Tomorrow s Aerospace, the event took place at the CSIR International Convention Centre in Pretoria from 25 to 26 October 2017 and was attended by some 120 local and international delegates, representing industry, government, academia and science councils. The aim of the annual event is to maximise post-graduate student and industry participation.

3 The Annual Conference was preceded by the CSIR-hosted 8th summit of the International Forum for Aviation Research (IFAR), from 23 to 25 October 2017, at which 38 participants from 17-member countries were represented. The AeSSA Young Professionals Networking event at the CSIR International Convention Centre on 24 October, ended in time for participants to join the IFAR Summit Open Session and networking event. Read the article in the next section. Four IFAR international speakers joined the AeSSA event on 25 October to give keynote addresses. They were opening keynote speaker Dr Jaiwon Shin of NASA: Future Trends in Aeronautics R&D; Hamburg Aviation s Prof Joachim Szodruch: The Power of Networking; Prof Sergey L. Chernyshev of the Central AeroHydrodynamic Institute: Future of Aeronautics: Existing Challenges; and NASA s Jay Dryer: Opportunities in Commercial Supersonic Flight. On 26 October Prof Thomas Jones of S-Plane delivered the Alan Nurick Rotorcraft Lecture: Modern, Effective Rotorcraft Flight Automation; he received the Alan Nurick medal. Denel Dynamic s Kevin Ward <hyperlink to presentation> was the second local keynote who spoke on the topic, Why having completed a UAS Certification Programme raises more questions than answers. Don Schenk of Wonders in Aviation gave the John Weston lecture titled People, Knowledge & Innovation; on behalf of Wonders of Aviation, he was presented with the 2017 John Weston Award by AeSSA in recognition of the work by the NGO to develop human capital and support previously disadvantaged youth in the South African aviation industry. More information and selected keynote addresses An informal networking event, the Women in Aerospace breakfast, on 26 October at the CSIR Knowledge Commons, was well attended by both women and men. The guests of honour were three women pilots: Major Vanessa Starke of the VIP Squadron; Major Nandi Zama, Commander of a Lockheed Martin C130, and Ms Refilwe Ledwaba of Women and Aviation. Read the article in the next section. The abstract presentations ran over both conference days, and required an unprecedented third track to cater for the range of topics; technical sessions covered flight test and control; industry support mechanisms; education; manufacturing technologies; aircraft propulsion; flow and structural analysis; space propulsion; and supersonic flows. Commenting on the submissions, Technical Chair Dr Glen Snedden said, The quality and quantity of the submissions made the decision to add an extra track on both days imperative. Jean-Gerard de la Bat of Stellenbosch University was the winner of the student competition, with Duran Martin of the University of KwaZulu- Natal and Coenraad Swanepoel of Stellenbosch University in second and third place, respectively. Read the article in the next section. Ahrlac at Wonderboom Airport was the ideal venue for the conference tour and dinner on 25 October Fifty conference delegates were taken on an informative tour through the production facility prior to the dinner, held right next to the runway within sight of an Ahrlac aircraft. The conference concluded with a networking cocktail event at which newfound acquaintances were cemented, and existing acquaintances renewed. Photo galleries of the event 3

4 ANNOUNCEMENT: AeSSA Annual Conference 2018 The AeSSA Annual Conference committee is delighted to announce the dates for the 2018 conference. Dates: October 2018 Venue: Western Cape, tbc Details will be updated on #AerospacePeople: movers and shakers in South African aerospace Young Professionals Networking event tests innovative thinking and team work The Young Professionals Networking event, now in its second iteration, provided the opportunity for aeronautics professionals of 35 years of age and younger to network and share innovative ideas. The theme for the event (a side-event to the AeSSA Annual Conference 2017) was Disruptive and ground-breaking innovations in aerospace. The event was hosted by the AeSSA in partnership with the Aerospace Industry Support Initiative, an initiative of the Department of Trade and Industry hosted by the CSIR, on 24 October 2017 at the CSIR International Convention Centre. Keynote speakers Don Schenk of Wonders in Aviation and Pfumelani Mbulayeni, Head of Quality at Denel Aviation worked with facilitators Busi Nkonki and Elizna Miles, both from the CSIR, to introduce the topic and inspire delegates to participate in groups. Each group was required to address a question: 4

5 What are some of the factors that influence the successful integration and growth of young professionals in their aerospace-related careers and what can their senior counterparts do to be sure that they are nurturing the next generation of young professionals? (Consider the following points in your discussion) What impact do awards, incentives, and other forms of appreciation have on today s young professionals? The benefit of mentor/mentee relationships or a buddy system for young professionals by senior and/or retired aerospace counterparts What are some of the opportunities and/or areas for knowledge transfer that young professionals could benefit from? Conversely, what challenges currently hinder their successful integration and growth in the aerospace industry? All five groups vigorously investigated aspects of the question in the context of the theme of the day, and compiled responses which were presented by a group representative. Judges Lulu Makapela (CSIR), Leehandi de Witt (NewSpace Systems) and Radeshen Moodley (CSIR) identified the winning group as Livison Mashoko (CSIR); Lesetja Mogoba (Denel Aeronautics); Kai Broughton (University of KwaZulu-Natal); Nyangani Mtimkulu (Tshwane University of Technology) and Dawie Marais (Qfinsoft). Informal interactions encouraged further networking before the event concluded ahead of the IFAR Summit open session and networking event, which was attended by the Young Professionals delegates. Women pilots charm delegates at AeSSA Women in Aerospace breakfast The Women in Aerospace breakfast on 26 October at the CSIR Knowledge Commons brought together both women and men with an interest in the role of women in aeronautics and space. The guests of honour were Ms Refilwe Ledwaba, Executive director, Women and Aviation (W&A) (second from left); Major Vanessa Starke, 21 Squadron, home of the VIP Transport Jets (fourth from right); and Major Nandi Zama, Commander of the Lockheed Martin C130BZ (third from right). The informal networking event was enlivened by interaction with the women pilots, facilitated by the CSIR s Busi Nkonki and Elizna Miles. All three women pilots responded with spontaneity and a willingness to share their passion for flying and their various experiences. Ms Ledwaba, a qualified pilot, is Executive director, Women and Aviation (W&A, a hybrid organisation dedicated to the sustainable economic empowerment and personal development of women in the STEM field with a focus on aviation and aerospace. Major Starke flies the aircraft used for transporting the President of South Africa, the Deputy 5

6 President, and the Minister of Defence. Major Zama is the first black female to command the Lockheed Martin C130BZ in the South Africa Air Force. Congratulations to winners in student abstract competition The prize for the best abstract presentation went to Jean-Gerard de la Bat (centre), a Master s student in mechanical engineering at Stellenbosch University s Department of Department of Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering. Jean-Gerard gave his presentation on day 2 of the conference in the Space Propulsion 2nd session. Titled Theoretical simulation, manufacture and experimental evaluation of a free piston Stirling engine for deep space application, the paper focused on the theoretical simulation, manufacture and experimental evaluation of a 100 We free piston Stirling electric generator prototype, that may be used for electricity generation in deep space application. The theoretical model was developed by discretising the working fluid into a network of one-dimensional control volumes, for which the principle of conservation of mass, momentum and energy was solved using a FORTRAN computer simulation. The geometrical layout of the prototype was based on the work done by Microgen Engine Corporation, but with the addition of a linear motor that attaches to the displacer shaft. In-lab testing was performed under various heat inputs, charge pressures and electrical loading conditions, and served to validate the theoretical model. The paper concludes by discussing key design and manufacturing improvements that have been identified from the study. As part of the thermo-fluids division, Jean-Gerard concludes his studies under the supervision of senior lecturer Robert Dobson at the end of November Jean-Gerard is enthusiastic about the future. He says, I would love to be involved in research and development projects at the CSIR, specifically relating to the energy sector. In 10 years time I would like to see myself at the head of a research division, working on cutting-edge technologies like, for example, the supercritical CO2-Brayton cycle that is currently under investigation at Sandia National Laboratories in the USA. 6

7 He plans to become more involved with space and aviation technologies, as he says that these technologies often driving the forefront of engineering innovation really excite me. After attending the AESSA conference, he looks forward to becoming an AESSA member and attending future conferences. NOTE: The second and third prizes went to Duran Martin (second left) of the University of KwaZulu-Natal for the presentation on the paper titled Injector design for a LOX/RP-1 liquid propellant rocket engine, and Coenraad Swanepoel (far right) of Stellenbosch University for the presentation on the paper titled Experimental Validation of a Mixed- Flow Compressor and Cross-over Diffuser, respectively. Prof Meyer of UP receives NRF A-rating Prof Josua Meyer, Head of the Department of Mechanical and Aeronautical Engineering in the Faculty of Engineering, Built Environment and Information Technology, is the latest researcher from the University of Pretoria to receive an A- rating from the National Research Foundation (NRF). He is currently the only A-rated researcher in mechanical and aeronautical engineering in South Africa. Prof Meyer joined the University of Pretoria as professor and Head of the Department of Mechanical and Aeronautical Engineering in In 2004, he was also appointed as Chair of the School of Engineering. He is now serving his fourth term as both Head of Department and School Chair. In addition to these duties, Prof Meyer leads the Clean Energy Research Group that he established in the Department, where his work focuses on thermal-solar, wind and nuclear energy. He has grown this group to approximately 50 full-time graduate students and ten staff members over the years. He has also established various labs with state-of-the-art instrumentation, and with his group members has designed and constructed more than 12 unique experimental setups. The AeSSA congratulates Prof Meyer on this achievement and wishes him well for the future. Read the full article 7

8 Outreach: Aerospace Challenge AeSSA s 2017 Aerospace Challenge draws enthusiasts By John Monk Despite dire predictions of howling winds, the AeSSA 2017 Aerospace Challenge took place in windy but flyable conditions on Saturday, 14 October JOMAC (Johannesburg Model Aircraft Club) was the hosting club for the 2017 event at its club venue on a new field. Jon Hancock, one of the club committee members, was again a great help with the generation of the new maps and directions before the event and onthe-day assistance which included organising and even flying the odd model for the teams. With an increased budget this year from the AeSSA to assist new teams and for prizes, more teams entered. 11 university teams competed: seven from the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) University (three up on last year) and four teams from the University of Pretoria (Tuks). Wits has been involving students from as early as second year in the competition, and therefore providing a larger number of teams and more depth and experience. The Tuks students were typically from the aeronautical stream and in final year, where the design of these aircraft forms a part of their curriculum. Teams competing in the AeSSA 2017 Aerospace Challenge 8

9 Also competing at this year s event along with the universities were two school teams, Cornerstone College (Pretoria) and St. Matthews High (Soweto) who were flying balsa gliders built from kits made up at the CSIR for the event; more about that later! With typically novel team names such as Laminar Brothers, Candy Crusher and Victorious Secret, the fun seems to start for these teams long before the models are built and what a range of models we had this year! One of the models sported a custom-made retractable undercarriage, hand-machined from aluminium stock and driven by modified servos. Not all the teams were able to supply their own pilots and so a range of pilots flew the models on the day, some organised by the teams and some utilising the JOMAC club members. In most cases the flying skills of the pilots were severely challenged by the models, some of which had not been flown before, and one or two of which didn t make it too far down the runway! Every year there are amusing sights in the pits and this year was no exception. One team was seen sawing through their model s rear fuselage on the morning of the competition in a somewhat desperate attempt to improve the model s flying characteristics. The rules of the competition are essentially that the teams must design their own model aeroplane, with a span no less than 1 m and fitted with a specified electric motor, to fly up and down a four-leg course of 150 m, 600 m in total in the shortest time. The range of concepts that emerge from that requirement is always interesting. As part of the AeSSA s expanding outreach initiative, a new school competition was included this year. Several schools were approached, and learners received balsa glider kits made up of a fuselage (with nose weights and launch hook installed), a set of wings and a fin and stabiliser. Learners also received superglue to assemble the kits. The models were designed at the CSIR and the parts cut, and the wing profiled by a CNC router out of sheet balsa by the UAV research group. The school team leaders (Tshepo Nkodi and Gift Kgadima) came to the CSIR to learn how to assemble the models and teach the learners how to assemble their own models for the competition. The CSIR-designed and manufactured balsa glider 9

10 The rules of the glider competition were simple. The models had to be launched with an elastic band to normalise launch strength between the contestants and scores were allocated at one point per second of flight time. The launch was counted down and on 'zero eight gliders were shot into the air. The prevailing wind did blow the models quite far downwind after launch but the learners quickly learned to launch the models to the one side on a flatter trajectory. They enjoyed chasing after them while their timekeepers recorded their flight times. The contestants ready to launch Results Several certificates were awarded to the students of the University Challenge. The choice of award winners in each category was made by consensus between the officials who helped on the day. Those winners were: Best Built Aircraft Best Design Wits FW Victorious Secret Best Crash Airforce 2 Hard Luck The Laminar Brothers The score for the overall positions in the competition was based on the total of the scores from their attempts combined. 3 rd place - Candy 3 10

11 2 nd Place - FW st place - Victorious Secret Team Extreme won the balsa glider event followed by KB and TJ. They all received certificates and a small gift. Read the full results and see pictures of the models flown this year The exciting future of aerospace engineering Contribution by Des Barker The combination of new technologies, aircraft demand in back-log and increasing activity in emerging markets, raises the question of aerospace engineering capacity as well as the type of expertise that will be needed to address the multitude of challenges in existing and new markets. Does the industry have the skills and expertise in the right places to meet current and future needs? QS Top Universities, a publisher of university rankings by Quacquarelli Symonds (QS), in a recent article, places aerospace engineering at number two in the top five most in demand engineering jobs in the future. Read more 11

12 News from the Cape Chapter Young Falcons Wings Parade By René Heise The beginning of November saw the conclusion of this year s youth development programme, which is hosted by Air Force Base Ysterplaat with the support of the AeSSA. The function for the passing out parade took the form of a Wings Parade, with the cadets from the programme who have completed their two years receiving their wings. The parade opened with the cadets marching on, led by Captain Tshefu. After the arrival of Brig. General J.C.J. Butler, the general salute was taken while a C-47TP gave the flypast. Gen. Butler gave a few words of congratulations and encouragement to the cadets, and their parents, and then proceeded to pin the wings on the chests of the graduate cadets. This year was also the first time that wings were awarded to the Advanced Aero Tech cadets. The Aero Tech course focuses more on the technical and engineering aspect of aviation, as opposed to the Young Falcon programme, which has a focus on the piloting and flying aspect of all things aviation related. The success of the programme cannot be mentioned without naming the efforts of Col. Kahn, Cpt Tshefu, the Virtual Flying association of SA, AFB Ysterplaat and the unstoppable Col. Nelson. Support for the Young Falcons programme is growing, as is the interest amongst the youth in joining the programme. Flypast at the opening of the Passing Out Parade 12

13 Group photo of the Aero Tech Cadets with Cpt Tshefu (middle) AeSSA Lectures Col. Miller lecture on civil aviation: COMAIR This lecture by Captain Martin Louw of Comair Limited (left with Glen Snedden), followed the AeSSA AGM on 15 November Comair is best known for operating local and regional services within southern Africa under the British Airways livery (part of its licence agreement with British Airways Plc), and kulula.com, South Africa's well-known low-fare airline. Capt Louw is Director: Operations, Director Operations, and in charge of pilots, cabin crew, ops control, catering and airports. An accomplished and engaging speaker, he gave the audience an overview of Comair s history since 1943 to date. He attributed Comair s business success in the complex South African airline environment to the company s focus on skill, culture and technology. Other factors include its agile way of working; its value-added support; its frontline-focused, flat structure; its coordinated systems and its emphasis on profit-driven operations. It is now a diversified business, running several aviation-related services including travel 13

14 brands, a catering company unit, SLOW lounges at several South African airports and the Comair Training Centre at O.R. Tambo International Airport. The company operates between 110 and 130 flights per day, and carries an average of 4.8 million passengers per annum locally and regionally. With unwavering commitment to its staff and meticulous attention to detail in its decision making and operations, Comair looks set for a bright future. Plans include new aircraft, upgrading of its system, and expansion of training, catering and travel services. As the saying goes, it seems that the sky is the limit for Comair. Upcoming AeSSA lecture: All lectures are advertised on An informal meeting has been planned for January 2018; more details about this event will be shared in the new year. For more information, contact Kevin Jamison AeSSA-branded jackets on sale We take pleasure in offering you an Aeronautical Society of South Africa-branded Hi-Tec jacket for sale. All members have the opportunity to buy one jacket at a 50% discounted price. Should you wish to purchase additional jackets at the full price, please send an to info@aessa.org.za to request the price list. Purchasing of jackets for non-members can be arranged, following the successful application to the Aeronautical Society of South Africa. Membership forms are available at All jackets feature the logos of both the Royal Aeronautical Society as well as the Aeronautical Society of South Africa, as displayed on the Lady Neri insulated vest (left). As the AeSSA has secured a limited number of these items, you are encouraged to forward details below (1&2) to info@aessa.org.za with the following information: 1. Jacket style e.g. ORION 3 in 1 Jacket. 2. Size (M, L, XL, 2XL, 3XL, 4XL) NB: No items can be exchanged after delivery. Your jacket can be collected from Liza Barnard, Building 12, CSIR, Meiring Naudé Road, Brummeria. Postage can be arranged at a minimum cost of R100 per item; please supply the address of your closest Postnet office. 14