Call for Papers: Joint VFS-UK and RAeS Conference 2023

Conference Topic: “Turbulence, the unseen threat to vertical flight”
Venue: Shrigley Hall Hotel & Spa, Pott Shrigley, Cheshire, SK10 5SB
Date: 24th – 25th May 2023

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This conference focusses on the topic of operating vertical lift aircraft from maritime, urban locations and any other location where mechanical and/or thermal turbulence is a threat to safety. Both thermal and mechanical turbulence continues to be an issue when landing and taking off from helidecks located close to other structures, such as a ship super structure or an oil platform. There is also emerging evidence that the turbulence from large wind turbines will affect helicopter handling qualities, for example when conducting Search and Rescue missions inside a wind farm. Furthermore, many of these issues will also apply to future Advanced Air Mobility or Unmanned Aerial Systems as buildings can generate similar levels of turbulence. This conference is specifically aimed at bringing together all the interested parties to address the various elements of safely operating vertical lift vehicles in a turbulent environment. Papers to examine these problems are sought in the following areas:

1.  Modelling, test, and certification

What are the best techniques for identifying and modelling the effects of turbulence on a vehicle’s response? How can additional sources of data, such as Flight Data Monitoring and LIDAR be used to contribute towards modelling, testing and certification? Identification of new certification standards requirements for the assessment of turbulence on a vehicle’s response?

2. Training

Operational issues with operating in a turbulent environment: how to train and prepare pilots for operating in turbulent conditions. Flight simulator fidelity requirements to replicate turbulent conditions.

3. Design

Vessel, platform, building and wind farm design and layout to minimise/mitigate turbulence.

Organising Committee:

George Barakos George.Barakos@glasgow.ac.uk, Mark White mdw@liverpool.ac.uk, Antonino Filippone a.filippone@manchester.ac.uk, Tao Zhang tz77@leicester.ac.uk, Mark Prior Mark@mpriorconsulting.com

Abstract submission:

Abstracts, between 500 and 1000 words, should be submitted to one of the members of the organising committee by 12/02/23. Selected papers will be published in a special edition of an archival journal.

Notification of authors: 28/02/2023, Submission of papers: 12/05/2023

VFS UK Chapter Awards 2023 Announced!

The VFS UK Chapter would like to congratulate the following individuals for their 2023 awards:

Mariya Tarabanovsk of Flight Crowd, for her David Gibbings Award for Early Career Achievement

Nick Bojdo of Manchester University, for his award for Extraordinary Work in Vertical Flight

Malcolm Foster of GKN Aerospace, for his President’s Award for Lifetime Achievement.

The awards are to be presented to their recipients during the VFS UK annual meeting on February 16th.

Participation to the event is free and all members should try to attend. Please reserve your place on Eventbrite using the following link:

VFS-UK Annual Event Tickets, Thu 16 Feb 2023 at 10:00 | Eventbrite

VFS-UK Chapter Annual Event 2023

The VFS-UK annual event will take place at the Royal Airforce Club in London on 16 Feb 2023. All members living or working in the UK are invited. The event is devoted to military helicopters and includes presentations from experts in the field. It is also an opportunity to discuss and shape the future of the chapter, its activities, and offices.

Attendance is free though it is advisable that members register their attendance via Eventbrite at: Link

The agenda is attached as follows: