The Aeronautical Journal July 2024 Vol 128 No 1325

Beyond the Clouds There is Light.  This is an appropriate descriptor of our industry. It is now emerging from the dark clouds of the Covid-19 pandemic, stronger and with a primary aim to improve environmental performance. 

Air traffic is reaching and passing, globally its pre-pandemic level and the flying public is as keen as ever to fly to distant places in search of togetherness, business, leisure, cultural and other benefits.

The third (or fourth, depending on how you count) revolution of aviation is well under way. This comprises the dual goals of environmental performance and digital benefits. Our industry is doing this while continuing to pursue growth to accrue large social and economic benefits.

A plethora of environment enhancing avenues is being explored with large investments being made in electric and hybrid electric propulsion, hydrogen propulsion, development of a Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) infrastructure, route improvements to mitigate contrails and other relevant topics. 

The deployment of digital capabilities is being pursued at a fast pace to enhance environmental performance, hasten the deployment of novel propulsion concepts and enhance the operational effectiveness of our sector.

A factor that is increasingly recognised by many industries, including ours, is the need to attract very large streams of young talented individuals to cultivate the promise of aviation to deliver its very beneficial fruit. With this in mind, ISABE has appointed two new members to its Board: one is for youth engagement, the other for diversity. These have the objective of making our industry an attractive source of careers for a wider range of individuals seeking the contribution and to reward a very broad spectrum of talented and motivated persons.

Notwithstanding the optimistic outlook, there are many important issues requiring a large short term concentration of resources.  With optimism our industry looks forward to overcoming these short term challenges and to accrue the longer term promise that aviation holds. 

To find out more, we invite you to join us in Toulouse, a global aerospace hub, in September 22-27 to participate in our exciting global ISABE Conference. Here, you will interact with leading participants of the aerospace propulsion world. 

This upcoming Special Issue of The Aeronautical Journal will give you a flavour of our interests and, hopefully, engagement in this advanced technology and highly rewarding sector. To be the first to read this new issue, you can sign up for notifications here.

We hope to see you there.

Frank Haselbach, Stephane Burguburu, Suresh Sampath and Pericles Pilidis
President, Vice-President and Board Members Communication and Education of ISABE, the Global Propulsion Forum

The Royal Aeronautical Society is the world’s only professional body dedicated to the entire aerospace community. Established in 1866 to further the art, science and engineering of aeronautics, the Society has been at the forefront of developments ever since.

National Aerospace Library catalogue & e-books

Lastly, book reviews covering academic, scientific and technical books covering aeronautical engineering and topics relating to it can be found here: www.aerosociety.com/news-expertise/national-aerospace-library/book-reviews