WE ARE PLEASED TO CONFIRM THAT THE ANNUAL CONFERENCE WILL TAKE PLACE AS PLANNED

Seldom, if ever, has the RAeS conference been held in times of such challenge for the profession of aeronautics, both civil and military.

Since the conference last year, we have seen a global financial crisis of an unprecedented severity. This has resulted in most nations having to take dramatic action to maintain stability in their economies, leading to significantly elevated levels of government debt and the consequent need for major public budget constraints. Equally, major companies have also reconsidered investment in new equipment, none more so than the airlines.

Over the same period, ever-increasing international concern over global warming has led to strong pressure on the aeronautics community to dramatically reduce pollution resulting from civil air travel, even to the extent of limitations of travel volume through regulation or taxation being seriously considered.

In addition to these two major challenges, we continue to see an increasing threat of terrorist attack on civil airliners, driving much enhanced security procedures and necessitating ever more advanced detection techniques. Meanwhile, in Afghanistan, military aircraft are being tasked to expand their capabilities into non-traditional areas so as to defeat the Taleban.

In meeting these challenges, the aeronautics community must consider all aspects of the possible future of the sector. Some solutions may be found through the adoption of novel technologies, changes in the way air travel is organised and aircraft are operated. Equally, changes in the defence environment and mission will necessitate innovative approaches to equipment, force structure and operational concepts.

During this conference, we are seeking to explore the long-term future environment for the aeronautics sector, considering all aspects. We will be looking at potential global economic and political changes which may affect both civil air transport and the defence needs of nations. Defence aeronautics will be under threat from budget constraints and from the changes in the primary defence mission whilst civil aeronautics will need to make dramatic strides in reducing pollution and operating cost.

From the standpoint of technology, we will be seeking to consider the very long term view of transformational technologies and the ways in which these can be brought into regular and reliable usage.

This conference is essential for anyone concerned with, or about, the very future health of the aeronautics profession. It should be regarded as a priority event for all transport and defence strategists, be they from government, manufacturing industry, the air transport sector, the Armed Forces or academia.