Abstract

There is a recent explosion in new aircraft configurations and operating concepts based on electrification and automation. This seminar will provide an overview of the emerging trends in aircraft design and operations which may be enabled by these technologies. It will discuss the mobility and environmental drivers which have motivated the interest in these new configurations. It will provide an overview of the different vehicle configurations and automation approaches as well as a realistic assessment of the performance, certification and operational challenges these technologies must overcome to operate in the National Airspace System.

Biography

R. John Hansman is the T. Wilson Professor of Aeronautics & Astronautics at MIT, where he is the Director of the MIT International Center for Air Transportation. He conducts research in advanced technologies for operational aerospace and transportation. Dr. Hansman holds 7 patents and has authored over 300 technical publications. He has over 6500 hours of pilot in-command time in airplanes, helicopters and sailplanes including meteorological, production and engineering flight test experience. Professor Hansman chairs the US Federal Aviation Administration Research Engineering & Development Advisory Committee (REDAC). He is co-director of the national Center of Excellence in Aviation Sustainability Center (ASCENT). He is a member of the US National Academy of Engineering (NAE), is a Fellow of the AIAA and has received numerous awards including the AIAA Dryden Lectureship in Aeronautics Research, the FAA Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award, the ATCA Kriske Air Traffic Award, a Laurel from Aviation Week & Space Technology, and the FAA Excellence in Aviation Award.

Hosted by College of Engineering and the school of Aeronautics and Astronautics.