cockpit design, spitfire to typhoon

8/3/2019 Cockpit Design, Spitfire to Typhoon

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Lancashire & Cumbriawww.iee.org/lancscumbria

Newsletter Vol.2 No.1

September 2005


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Lancashire and Cumbria Branchwww.iee.org/lancscumbria

Whither the IEE? ............................2Chairmans welcome ......................4Event booking slips ........................5Forthcoming events ........................7Event planner ..............................8-9Recent events ................................12Contacts ........................................16

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Contents

One of the most important events inthe history of the Institution of Electrical Engineers takes place thismonth, when members will vote onproposals to merge with theInstitution of IncorporatedEngineers (IIE), to form a newinstitution: the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET).With this in mind, IEE trustee John

Loughhead and Director of Qualifications, Dorrie Giles,travelled to Lancashire on 21 July tobrief members on the proposals andtake questions. About twenty

members were present. A summaryof the discussion follows you canread arguments in favour of themerger on the internet atwww.newinst.org, and contribute tothe online discussion forum atwww.iee.org/forums.

The IIE was formed in 1998 fromthe Institution of Electronic andElectrical Incorporated Engineers(IEEIE), the Institution of Mechanical Incorporated Engineers(IMechIE), and the Institute of Engineers and Technicians (IET). Itreceived its Royal Charter in 2001

Cover Picture: from iceto fireOur cover picture illustrates ourfirst event of the session in thenorth of the branch: Dr. RobinCatchpoles talk on the solar system(see page 7 for details). In this

artists visualization, the newlydiscovered planet-like object,dubbed Sedna, is shown where itresides at the outer edges of theknown solar system - so far awaythat the Sun appears as a brightstar. Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech.

Champagne winnerThe winner of the bottle of champagne, drawn by branch

past president Brian Flynn at the guest evening on 9June, was Cdr Carl Haythornthwaite who used a replyslip from the April Newsletter to book his place on thebranch visit to Keswick Mountain Rescue (see report onpage 12). For your chance to win a bottle, use the replyslips on page 5 to book your place to hear aboutCumbrias future and the life and times of Elizabeth I.

Whither the IEE?


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Newsletter September 2005www.iee.org/lancscumbria

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and is now an institution of some40,000 members in a wide range of engineering disciplines, few of whom are chartered. The IEE is amuch larger institution: 122,000members of which around half areChartered Engineers. Despite theirdiffering backgrounds and histories,

the IEE and the IIE are said to sharea common vision of the future, inwhich they would join forces toform a new institution which wouldbe interdisciplinary, global andinclusive. The Institution of Mechanical Engineers, which took part in early negotiations, does notshare this vision and will not bepart of any new institution. The

new institution would be the majorbody promoting EngTech and IEngqualifications.

The current IEE trustees think thatElectrical Engineer does notproperly describe the current andpotential future membership, mostof whom are active in fields outsidewhat they consider to be

traditional electrical engineering.The Institution of Engineering andTechnology has been chosen onthe understanding that it will beacceptable to Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Science andInnovation, Lord Sainsbury, actingon behalf of the Privy Councilwhich must approve a revisedCharter. Postnominal letters formembers and fellows of the newinstitution would be MIET andFIET, although existing memberswill be able to retain theirMIEE/FIEE designations, and the

IEE brand will be retained insome other cases, notablypublishing activities.

Some interesting points were put bythe members present at the meeting.The main point of controversy wasthe proposed new name. One pointof view was that the changes wereinsufficiently bold, and that the useof IEE should be abandonedcompletely. Others thought that thenew name was provocative toexisting engineering institutions: asthe name implies, the Institution of Engineering and Technology wouldregister engineers at all levels in anyengineering discipline. There wasalso discussion about the financialstate of the IEE: John Loughheadassured the meeting that the IEE isin a sound financial position, andthat the proposals were notmotivated by any financialconsideration.

The IEE trustees think we need toact now to secure the future of theprofession. What do you think?Are the changes necessary to bringthe IEE into the 21st century? Orare they a dilution of what the IEEstands for? Does the name properlyreflect the future of our profession,or is it provocative? If you are avoting member you should alreadyhave received a voting paper in thepost. Please use it. Votes must be

received by post or online by 19September. A simple majority is allthat is needed to determine thefuture of the institution.

Simon Platt


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May I extend a very warm welcometo members and supporters of theLancashire and Cumbria Branch.

The IEE programme of changecontinues. As you probably alreadyknow, recent changes include thewidening of membership scope andthe separation of chartered statusfrom membership. This has madethe institution less exclusive and hasopened the doors to those who donot find chartered status relevant totheir situation.

Members of the IEE benefit notonly from the branch activity butalso from the ProfessionalNetworks (PNs) initiative thatcreates a link for networking andraises knowledge in diversedisciplines that are of relevance toall members backgrounds. Wehave 35 PNs that are delivering ahigh-quality programme and give anawareness of local and large-spectrum conferences for sharingupdated information andestablishing professionalnetworking. There is no charge forthis service and the informationavailable is substantial.

The membership has also recentlyvoted that we should become acertificating body for bothincorporated engineers and fortechnicians aspiring to Eng. Tech.status; this means that we can nowcertificate engineers across the fullspectrum. As with all things inbusiness, further major changesmay be on the horizon.

The formation of a new institutionfrom the IEE and IIE is beingdiscussed and voting by members of the two institutions is taking placeas I write. I personally find theprospects of an institution with evengreater strength and diversity veryexciting. This is an opportunity tostrengthen our partnership workingwith other institutions andorganisations to improve theservices offered to members and ourindustry. It is a bold step intouncharted waters. I believe it isimportant and timely for the 40-plusdisparate professional engineeringbodies to move together into fewer,but larger, groupings.

Jon Field

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Chairmans welcome


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Cumbrias futureRheged Centre, Penrith,6 October 2005, 10.30 for 11 a.m.Please reserve . places for the talk and lunch @14each. I enclose a cheque for made payable toFriends of the IEE Lancashire & Cumbria Branch

Name(s) ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Address ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Email ..............................................Tel ............................................................Please indicate your choice of menu overleaf and return to: RobertHardman, Pippins, The Knoll, Hest Bank, Lancaster LA2 6BU.Closing date 22 September.Booking confirmation and directions will be sent.

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Elizabeth I - her life and timesNetherwood Hotel, Grange over Sands,1 December 2005, 10.30 for 11 a.m.Please reserve . places for the talk and lunch @16each. I enclose a cheque for made payable to

Friends of the IEE Lancashire & Cumbria BranchName(s) ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Address ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Email ..............................................Tel ............................................................

Please return to: George Heaton, Garth Cottage, Yealand Conyers,Carnforth, Lancs. LA5 9SG. Closing date 18 November.Booking confirmation and directions will be sent.


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Cumbrias futureRheged Centre, Penrith, 6 October 2005 PersonLunch menu 1 2 3 4Drink of wine or juice preceding mealMain course options(all dishes served with a selection of vegetablesand potatoes)

Steak and Cumberland ale pie with shortcrust pastry s s s sBaked fillet of codling with traditional parsley sauce s s s s

Italian vegetable pasta with olives, tomatoes s s s sand peppersDessert optionsApple and blackberry crumblewith warm custard sauce s s s s

White chocolate mousse s s s s

Cheddar cheese and biscuits with celery and grapes s s s s

Freshly brewed tea or coffee

Retired members and guests at Keswick Mountain Rescue Headquarters (see page 13).


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Nuclear fuel production ,Jon Field,Chairman,IEE Lancashire& Cumbria BranchWed 21 Sep,7 for 7.30Novotel,Bamber Bridge

Contact Jon Field: 01772 762830, [email protected]

From ice to fire - the birth,life and death of our solarsystem ,Dr.Robin CatchpoleWed 21 Sep,7 for 7.30Forum 28,Barrow in Furness

Our solar system was formed froma vast cloud of dust of assumeduniform composition. Our speaker,recently retired from CambridgeUniversity and the RoyalObservatory, will explain where thisstardust came from, how it startedto collapse onto a spinning disc,how the dust formed into clumpsand then into planets, and howphysical and chemical processescreated the sun at the centre, fourterrestrial (rocky) planets, two gasgiants, two liquid giants, the KuiperBelt and finally the Oort Cloud

(potential comets). He willconsider the geological processes,which made Mercury, Venus, Earthand Mars so different from eachother. Finally, he will look at the

likely demise of the sun in about 5billion years time (give or take afew weeks!!). Joint with IMechE &CMI

Contact Ralph Hobson: 01229

583762, [email protected]

Cumbrias future ,Rt.Hon.Lord Inglewood DLThu 6 Oct 10.30 for 11.00Rheged Centre,Penrith

We are delighted that LordInglewood, a local farmer,

landowner and businessman fromHutton-in-the-Forest, has agreed tospeak to us in October. LordInglewood (Richard Vane) is afascinating speaker, drawing on animpressive range of interests andresponsibilities.

Lord Inglewood was appointedDeputy Lieutenant for Cumbria in1993, after being a member of theNorth West Water Authority and theLake District Special PlanningBoard. He succeeded his father in1989 and joined the House of Lords, where he has been aGovernment Whip and the Ministerresponsible for Broadcasting and

for Tourism. He is one of thehereditary peers elected to remainin the House of Lords in 1999. Hehas also been a Member of theEuropean Parliament.

Forthcoming events


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In addition, he is Chairman of theCN Group and Chairman of theReviewing Committee on theExport of Works of Art. LordInglewood is a Barrister, CharteredSurveyor and a Fellow of theSociety of Antiquaries (FSA).

The Rheged Centre is an all year

round, visitor attraction with amplecar parking and excellent facilities.It has easy access, being less than 1mile from Junction 40 (Penrith) of the M6 Motorway.

Tea/coffee will be served at10.30am, and lunch will beavailable after the talk, with achoice of meal. The cost of the

meal is 14 per person. Allmembers, partners and guests arevery welcome. To book (and forthe chance to win a bottle of champagne), please return the replyslip on page 5 by 22 September.Please indicate your choice of mealon the reverse of your reply slip.Booking confirmation anddirections will be sent.

Contact Robert Hardman: 01524822828

Replacing hips,knees andother joints ,Andrew Smith,Barrow HospitalWed 12 Oct,7 for 7.30Forum 28,Barrow in Furness

Our speaker, consultant orthopaedicsurgeon at Barrow Hospital, willdiscuss joint replacement includingthe engineering aspects of joint

design, materials used,compatibility with body fluids,expected life of the joint etc. Jointwith PESC.

Contact Ralph Hobson: 01229583762, [email protected]

Hovercraft and hovercraftracing ,Tony BroadThu 13 Oct,7 for 7.30Swallow Hotel, SamlesburyJoint with IPlantE.

Contact Jim Hindle: 01282 771355, [email protected]

Lifeskills :CV compilation,Younger Members SectionWed 19 Oct,7 for 7.30Westlakes Science Park, Ingwell,Moor Row,WhitehavenThe perfect CV:

If you are looking for a job, thenits very important that youunderstand how to offer yourself thebest way to an employer. This isdone by writing a CV of your lifestory.

By the end of the session thedelegate will be able to

Recognise and develop a targeted,chronological and functional CV.

Select a presentation style.

An employer may have severalhundred applicants for a single job,

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he or she will only choose a fewpeople to interview - make sure oneof them is YOU.

Contact Craig Brannigan: 01946785805, [email protected]

Nuclear fuel production,Geoff Burnett ,BNFLWed 23 Nov,7 for 7.30Crooklands Hotel,KendalContact Jon Field: 01772 762830,

[email protected]

Elizabeth I her life andtimes,Dramalogue presentation by LizzieJones,local historian

Thu 1 Dec,10.30 for 11

NetherwoodHotel,Grangeover Sands

Lizzie Jones returns (after a greatreception at Whalley Abbey) to tellus all about Elizabeth I. This is hermost elaborate presentation; wherein period dress she tells us aboutElizabeth I - her life and times.Combined with the characterfulNetherwood Hotel at Grange-over-Sands, where we have previously

enjoyed a warm reception and goodfood, this should be a top-levelevent. Make sure you apply forplaces early or you will bedisappointed!

The Netherwood Hotel is in animpressive setting, overlookingMorecambe Bay. A cup of coffee/tea will be available onarrival from 10.30 a.m. and thepresentation will commence at11.00 a.m. Afterwards a Christmaslunch, with coffee, will be availablein the Dining Room at a cost of 16per person. Disabled facilities andlift access are available.

On this occasion, due to limitedspace, the talk will only be availableto those who book lunch. The costof the meal is 16 per person. Allmembers, partners and guests are

very welcome. To book (and forthe chance to win a bottle of champagne), please return the replyslip on page 5 by 18 November.Booking confirmation anddirections will be sent.

Contact George Heaton:01524 736554,[email protected]


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Cockpit Design from theSpitfire to the new TyphoonMs. Katharine Wykes repeated herwell-received talk at LonglandsHotel, Carnforth on 29 March. She

introduced the subject by showing aslide of the Wright brothers aircraftand pointed out the lack of acockpit on this machine, the flyingposition was the equivalent beingastride a bike with all the inherentluxuries. The first cockpit as wewould recognise it today was that of the Sopwith Pup; this was equippedwith light switches of the day forthe magnetos and a bubble vial forthe bank indicator - a giant leapforward from the Wrights but stillvery basic compared with theSpitfire. This fighting machine hadto be developed quickly to satisfythe needs of the time. Headclearance within the canopy andsufficient room to enable the pilot

to clamber out in case of emergencywere all new aspects, as was thenew instrumentation. Later, withthe advent of ejector seats, thecockpit needed further refinementso that in the event that the pilot didtake the quick route out of theaircraft all his body parts went withhim as opposed to being wrenchedoff by protruding parts of thestructure.

As new aircraft were designed moreinstrumentation was needed tomonitor and control the flying

functions. Companies designedspecial instruments for particularcockpits depending who may be thefinal user. The tailor-madeapproach whilst giving the end usera bespoke design could not be cost

effective. Head up displays wereintroduced to enable the pilot tomonitor certain aspects whilstmaintaining forward vision withoutrefocusing his eyes. The evolutioncontinued with introduction of more visual display screens whichwere not without their own inherentproblems. With the use of bubble

canopies there were times when thebright sunlight would wash out theVDU and conversely at night theywould be too bright! Helmetmounted displays were introduced.

With regard to the new Typhoon thecockpit layout is more clinical andspacious. There are no protrudingparts and the arms and legs are all

restrained and gathered in duringejection. The instrumentationfeatures multifunctional displaysand switches, which with the aid of software, by multiple or sequentialoperation will bring up differenttasks. In one array five switchesoperated by one hand whilst saycontrolling the throttle may have upto 125 different functions this incontrast to the Spitfire where onebutton did one job and all theinstruments were dedicated!

Chris Webster2

Recent events


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Mountain RescueA long time ago, so long ago thatsome of us can hardly remember,even though it was only in May of this year, over seventy members of the Retired Members Section withtheir wives, partners, and guestsfrom around Lancashire andCumbria, gathered at BraithwaiteMemorial Hall near Keswick toattend a talk on mountain rescue.

The talk was given by PaulCheshire CEng MIEE, himself amost active member of the Keswick mountain rescue team, and amember of our Institution andChartered Engineer, with his ownbusiness in Keswick. Paul is one of a dedicated team of caring, public-spirited, and philanthropicindividuals who have the welfare of the likes of us, who come to LakeDistrict and its mountains, at theirhearts.

Paul started by outlining the

circumstances that led in 1947 tothe formation of the Keswick team,and the continuous improvement inworking facilities, equipment, andtechniques that have evolved tothose in use today. As expected, thelocation, time of year, weather,daylight or darkness, all play animportant part in the successfulconclusion of any incident, with the

mountain rescue team being fullyintegrated with the usual emergencyservices, the Keswick team beingone of seven independent teamswhich serve the Lake District.

In 1997, (its 50th Anniversary year)the team moved into a new purpose-built headquarters building, fundedby donations from many friends andsupporters. After the buffet lunch atBraithwaite, members and gueststhen moved on to Keswick toreceive a guided tour of the KMRTHeadquarters accommodation, theincident control room andcommunication apparatus, as wellas the response vehicles fitted outwith all types of rescue equipment.

As a direct result of the IEE visit,the Keswick Mountain RescueTeam has benefited from donationsapproaching 600, and the KMRThas expressed their appreciation forthe generosity of the donations.The KMRT is totally funded frompublic donations and does notreceive any form of local authorityor state financial assistance.

The Retired Members Committeewould particularly wish to thank Pat& George White for arranging suchan excellent event which wasreceived with great enthusiasm byall those who attended. The venuein the particularly pleasing northernextremities of our Branch area,coupled with the excellent hot &cold buffet laid on by local caterers,ensured that the event maintained

the usual high standards of interestand hospitality that we have nowcome to expect as the norm fromthe Retired Members Section.Brian Flynn


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Boeing 787 Dreamliner


Younger Members Childrens Lecture:Funtastic Engineering!

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Johnny Ball:Funtastic Engineering!

The Younger Members annualChildrens Lecture took place at theUniversity of Central Lancashire on20 May 2005. The lecture is aimedat capturing the interest of schoolchildren and encouraging them tothink about a career as an engineer.Childrens entertainer Johnny Ballreturned to Preston to entertain andenthuse children from primary

schools across Lancashire with anexciting talk on the application of maths and engineering through theages. The event was organised byYounger Members and supportedby SETNET, BAE Systems, BNFL,Datel Defence, North-WestAerospace Alliance, the Learningand Skills Council and theUniversity of Central Lancashire

Thursday 9 June saw the branchsannual Guest Evening at TheCrofters, Cabus. Guest of honourwas IEE President, Prof. JohnOReilly; the main speaker wasKevin Bruce, Boeing RegionalMarketing Director, who gave an

illustrated talk on the Boeing 787Dreamliner, more than an airplaneto a large audience.

Three 787 variants are indevelopment with extensiveinternational cooperation, including


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Rolls-Royce, QinetiQ, Smiths andMessier-Dowty in the UK. TheDreamliner is intended to exploitincreased demand for air travelfrom regional airports, creating newnon-stop routes such as Glasgow-Los Angeles, Birmingham-Delhiand Manchester-Hong Kong. Arange of advanced technologies willmake this possible, includinglargely composite aerostructuresand advanced aerodynamics,engines and avionic systems leadingto improved maintainability, greaterfuel efficiency and reduced acousticemissions. Other features aredesigned to aid comfort forpassengers, including advanced in-flight entertainment andcommunications systems as well as

the biggest widows available - allpart of Boeings plan to put thefun back into flying.

First flight is due towards the endof 2007, and we can expect theDreamliner to enter service sometime in 2008.

Kevins talk was followed by dinnerat the Crofters after which JohnOReilly spoke with enthusiasmabout plans for the new institution -the Institution of Engineering andTechnology.

This sessions Guest Evening willbe on Friday 9 June, once again atthe Crofters. Bookings will betaken from April - see Aprilsnewsletter for further details.

Kevin Bruce:Boeing 787 Dreamliner,more than an airplane


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ChairmanJon FieldTel: 01772 762830Email: [email protected]

Honorary SecretaryMike BellTel: 07736 810173Email: [email protected]

TreasurerRich GrantTel: 07769 728722Email: [email protected]

Programme SecretaryBarry LewthwaiteTel: 01539 733767Email: [email protected]

Newsletter EditorSimon PlattTel: 01772 893341Email: [email protected]

Younger MembersChairmanKylie BrennenTel: 01946 776469Email: [email protected]

Younger MembersSecretaryAndy MarlandTel: 07074 433572Email: [email protected]

Retired Members ChairmanDavid PittsTel: 01539 735525Email:[email protected]

Retired Members SecretaryDoug HoweTel: 01772 743948Email: [email protected]

Regional OfficeIEE Regional CoordinatorDeborah-Claire McKenziePO Box 251SaleM33 2ZYTel: 0161 973 3812Fax: 0161 973 8634Email: [email protected]

Lancashire and Cumbria BranchContactsWebsite http://www.iee.org/lancscumbria

cockpit design, spitfire to typhoon

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