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<p>The aviation sector, pivotal to global connectivity, is under increasing pressure to align with global sustainability targets. With aviation responsible for around 2-3% of <a href="https://ourworldindata.org/global-aviation-emissions">global carbon emissions,</a> the shift toward electric aircraft is more than an innovation&mdash;it's a necessity. As the industry faces stringent regulatory demands and evolving environmental expectations, electric aviation is emerging as a critical solution to decarbonize the skies.</p>
<p>In this article, VHR take a look into electric aircrafts, the technical challenges being tackled, and what these developments mean for the future of aviation.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h2>Electric Aircraft: Progress in the Industry</h2>
<p>Electric aircraft are not new to the aviation landscape. Over the past decade, we&rsquo;ve seen significant strides in propulsion systems, battery technology, and hybrid-electric configurations. However, the race to achieve viable, fully electric commercial aviation is intensifying as manufacturers aim to meet both operational demands and environmental targets.</p>
<h3>Regional Flights: Leading the Transition</h3>
<p>Short-haul routes provide the ideal proving ground for electric aircraft, allowing manufacturers to refine technologies within controlled, scalable environments. Aircraft like <a href="https://www.eviation.com/">Eviation&rsquo;s Alice</a>&nbsp; - capable of flying 440 nautical miles on a single charge&mdash;are spearheading this effort, offering an emission-free alternative for regional air travel.</p>
<p><a href="https://heartaerospace.com/es-30/">Heart Aerospace&rsquo;s ES-30</a>, another key player, integrates hybrid systems to extend range while keeping emissions low. These developments not only address environmental concerns but also reduce operational costs, potentially reshaping regional aviation economics.</p>
<h3>Hybrid-Electric Systems: Bridging the Gap</h3>
<p>Full electrification remains a challenge for long-haul flights, making hybrid-electric systems a critical intermediary. By integrating traditional turbine engines with electric propulsion, manufacturers can achieve lower emissions and improved fuel efficiency without sacrificing performance.</p>
<p>Projects like Rolls-Royce&rsquo;s hybrid-electric propulsion systems demonstrate the feasibility of transitioning larger aircraft toward sustainability. Such initiatives also allow operators to phase in technology upgrades, reducing risk and cost while maintaining operational reliability.</p>
<h3>Battery Innovations: The Key to Scalability</h3>
<p class="MsoNormal">The commercial viability of electric aircraft hinges on breakthroughs in battery technology. Today&rsquo;s lithium-ion batteries, while effective for small aircraft, lack the energy density required for larger commercial models. Promising advancements in solid-state batteries and lithium-sulfur technology are being closely monitored, offering the potential to deliver greater range and faster charging times without significantly increasing weight.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h3>Technical and Operational Challenges</h3>
<p>While the progress in electric aviation is undeniable, key challenges remain before widespread adoption becomes feasible:</p>
<p><strong>Energy Density vs. Weight:</strong> Achieving a balance between battery capacity and aircraft weight is critical for scalability. Current solutions often trade off performance for environmental benefits, a compromise the industry cannot afford for larger fleets.</p>
<p><strong>Infrastructure Readiness:</strong> Supporting electric aviation requires a complete overhaul of airport infrastructure. Charging facilities, energy storage systems, and grid capacity upgrades are essential to integrate electric fleets seamlessly.</p>
<p><strong>Certification and Standards: </strong>Regulatory frameworks must evolve to accommodate electric and hybrid-electric aircraft, ensuring they meet rigorous safety, performance, and environmental standards. The certification process for emerging technologies remains lengthy and complex.</p>
<p><strong>Cost of Innovation:</strong> Developing electric aviation solutions is capital-intensive, and the financial risk can deter widespread investment, especially for smaller operators. Collaborative funding models and government incentives may be required to mitigate this barrier.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h3>Opportunities for Aerospace Professionals</h3>
<p>The shift to electric aviation presents not just technical challenges but also significant opportunities for industry professionals and organisations:</p>
<p>&middot;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Specialised Engineering Roles: As manufacturers develop new propulsion and energy storage technologies, demand is rising for engineers specializing in electric systems, aerodynamics, and materials science.</p>
<p>&middot;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Operational Adaptations: Airlines and MROs will need talent skilled in managing hybrid-electric systems, battery maintenance, and energy optimization strategies, creating new career pathways within the industry.</p>
<p>&middot;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Collaborative Innovation: The complexity of electric aviation demands cross-sector collaboration, bringing together expertise from aerospace, energy, and technology sectors. This opens doors for multidisciplinary teams to lead game-changing projects.</p>
<p>VHR&rsquo;s expertise in aviation recruitment ensures that companies have access to the technical talent they need to navigate this transformation. By connecting aerospace leaders with top-tier professionals, we support the innovation required to achieve a sustainable future.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h3>The Industry&rsquo;s Path Forward</h3>
<p>Electric aviation is not an end goal but a step in the broader journey toward sustainability in aviation. While fully electric long-haul flights may still be decades away, the rapid pace of progress in regional and hybrid-electric technologies signals a promising shift.</p>
<p>Manufacturers, operators, and regulators must work in unison to address the remaining challenges, from scaling battery technology to upgrading infrastructure. Collaboration across the aerospace ecosystem is critical to achieving the shared vision of a decarbonized aviation industry.</p>
<p>At VHR, we are proud to play a role in shaping the future of aviation. Our commitment to securing the industry&rsquo;s best talent ensures our clients are equipped to meet the demands of this new era. As electric aviation takes flight, we&rsquo;re here to support organizations driving innovation and sustainability in the skies.</p>
<p>Looking to enhance your team with specialised talent or explore opportunities in electric aviation? <a href="https://www.v-hr.com/our-offices/">Contact VHR</a> today and discover how we can support your recruitment needs.</p>
<p>Looking for a job in aviation? <a href="https://www.v-hr.com/jobs/">Take a look at our latest roles.</a></p>
<p>Stay ahead of the latest developments in the aviation sector by exploring more insights on our <a href="https://www.v-hr.com/blog/" target="_new">blog page</a>.</p>

Electric Aircraft: Driving Sustainability in the Aviation Industry

<p>There are over&nbsp;<u><a href="https://airlinehistory.co.uk/planned-airlines/">150 airlines</a></u>&nbsp;planned for operations but yet to start trading. Europe is the most popular destination for budding Aviation leaders, however the past decade has seen an increase in start-ups from all over the world.</p>
<p>In 2023, around 19 new airlines were launched globally. These included several notable entrants such as Uzbekistan&rsquo;s Centrum Air, Malta&rsquo;s Valletta Airlines, Nigeria&rsquo;s NG Eagle, and the luxury boutique airline BeOnd from the Maldives. Despite the economic challenges in the aviation industry, new ventures continued to emerge, driven by both regional and international opportunities.&nbsp;</p>
<p>In 2023, a total of <strong>19 airlines</strong> shut down globally due to financial hardships, market pressures, and operational issues. Key closures included major players like <strong>Viva Air Colombia</strong>, <strong>Go First</strong>, and&nbsp;<strong>Air Moldova</strong>, alongside smaller carriers such as <strong>Niceair</strong>&nbsp;and <strong>Fly Gangwon</strong>. These shutdowns were influenced by factors like rising fuel costs, competition, and regulatory challenges. Several other regional airlines, like <strong>Equair </strong>and <strong>Aeromar</strong>, also ceased operations</p>
<p>VHR looked at the reasons behind the success and failures of start-up airlines.</p>
<h3><strong>4 Factors Determining the Success of a New Airline</strong></h3>
<h3><strong>1.</strong>&nbsp;<strong>Lack of Resources</strong></h3>
<p>Flyr, a Norwegian low-cost airline, launched in June 2021 with ambitions to become a significant player in the budget travel market. However, by early 2023, Flyr ceased operations after less than two years. Despite initial optimism, the airline struggled with liquidity issues, exacerbated by the pandemic's lingering effects on travel demand and rising operational costs. Flyr's small fleet and limited route network made it particularly vulnerable to fluctuations in passenger numbers.</p>
<p>In January 2023, the company filed for bankruptcy following unsuccessful attempts to secure further funding, and all flights were canceled, marking the end of its short-lived operations.</p>
<h3><strong>2.</strong>&nbsp;<strong>Internal Operations</strong></h3>
<p>Infamous start-up ValuJet lasted only three years. Notorious for its dangerous cost-cutting measures, the carrier prioritised finances over worker and passenger safety, which ultimately led to its downfall. Staff received scant and infrequent training, contract workforces were improperly managed, internal communication was inconsistent and the company&rsquo;s entire fleet of aircraft was purchased already used from other carriers</p>
<p>In addition to poor operations, the airline neglected to listen to customers, market experts and industry authorities. In 1995, the military&nbsp;<u><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ValuJet_Airlines">refused</a></u>&nbsp;ValuJet's bid to fly military personnel over safety worries, and the FAA wanted the airline to be grounded. However, the fatal crash of Flight 592, which exploded in Florida due to faulty oxygen generators that were scheduled to be removed, saw the grounding of all flights in 1996.</p>
<h3><strong>3.</strong>&nbsp;<strong>Planning</strong></h3>
<p>A sustainable business plan is key to launching any new venture, but planning is particularly vital to building a successful airline.&nbsp;<u><a href="https://www.boeing.com/company/about-bca/startupboeing.page">Boeing</a></u>&nbsp;lists the following considerations for potential CEOs before take off:</p>
<p>&middot; Market analysis</p>
<p>&middot; Competitor analysis</p>
<p>&middot; Branding and positioning</p>
<p>&middot; Operational strategy</p>
<p>&middot; Management team experience and fit</p>
<p>&middot; Exploration of risks and obstacles</p>
<p>&middot; Financial projections</p>
<p>&middot; Implementation strategy.</p>
<p>In April 2016, start-up FlyKiss met its end before it had even begun operations. The carrier was designed to connect cities with limited travel links, however a confused proposition of non-stop and one-stop services, longer flight times due to indirect routes, and a niche of a few small city destinations in England and France served only by 49-seater jets did not receive enough demand to launch. FlyKiss had sold several tickets well in advance, leaving multiple passengers in the lurch when it was cancelled.</p>
<h3><strong>4.</strong>&nbsp;<strong>Differentiation</strong></h3>
<p>Launching in June 2018, a new Canadian low-cost airline from parent company WestJet, was voted the world&rsquo;s best start-up airline by CAPA Centre of Aviation.&nbsp;<u><a href="https://www.flyswoop.com/">Swoop</a></u>&nbsp;won the title for creating a brand within a brand by successfully introducing the ultra-low-cost model in Canada on a large scale.</p>
<p>Swoop&rsquo;s business model is based on &lsquo;ultra-customisation&rsquo; to make travel more affordable and accessible to individuals and families of all income levels. Passengers only pay for their seat, with complete control over adding in-flight food, Wi-Fi or check-in baggage for an additional cost if desired. Swoop&rsquo;s personalisation model empowers customers to travel the way they want, every time they fly. Fuel efficiency is favourable to consumers looking to minimise their carbon footprint, and further helps cut costs and deliver customer savings.</p>
<p>To thrive in competitive environments, start-ups must find a true gap in the market and capitalise on it with unique services that add value to the customer experience. Differentiation of brand and business model saw Swoop transport circa 1million passengers during its first year of service.</p>
<p>Explore the&nbsp;<u><a href="https://blog.v-hr.com/blog/global-aviation-challenges-market-predictions-report-2020">Aviation Challenges &amp; Market Report for 2020</a></u>.</p>
<p>Read our&nbsp;<u><a href="https://blog.v-hr.com/blog/step-by-step-recruitment-strategy-for-brexit">Step-by-Step Guide to Recruiting After Brexit</a></u>.</p>

4 Reasons Why Start-Up Airlines Fail or Succeed

<p>The aviation industry faced unprecedented challenges during the pandemic, which not only slowed growth but also forced a rapid transformation across every facet of the sector&mdash;changes that seemed unimaginable before 2020. </p>
<p>However, the pandemic didn&rsquo;t initiate these shifts; it accelerated them. Many airlines already had plans to embrace digital transformation, and the global crisis fast-tracked their implementation. </p>
<p>Today, airlines are investing heavily in cloud-based services, data management solutions, and automation technologies&mdash;tools that have long existed but are now central to the industry&rsquo;s evolving digital strategy.</p>
<p>Operating on razor-thin margins and highly susceptible to volatile market forces, such as fluctuating fuel prices, airlines must embrace these digital strategies to stay competitive. Meeting the expectations of a new generation of tech-savvy customers, who demand seamless, digital-first experiences, is no longer optional&mdash;it&rsquo;s essential for long-term success. </p>
<h2><span data-contrast="none">The benefits of a digital strategy for the aviation industry</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}">&nbsp;</span></h2>
<p><span data-contrast="none">One of the main benefits of a digital strategy is that it captures and generates data points allowing for faster delivery of services, as well as analysis into how things could be made better or more efficient. </span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}">&nbsp;</span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="none">If the aviation industry focuses on digitalisation and integrates AI, data, and other technologies, we could see improvements in fuel efficiencies, cost savings, new revenue opportunities, increased passenger engagement and brand advocacy from customers, better passenger flows through airports, and most important of all, increased levels of safety. </span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}">&nbsp;</span></p>
<h2><span data-contrast="none">Digitalisation in Aviation</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}">&nbsp;</span></h2>
<h3><span data-contrast="none">Airlines will give customers more control over their flight experience through an omnichannel approach</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}">&nbsp;</span></h3>
<p><span data-contrast="none">With everything from food shopping to paying bills becoming easier to do online, every industry has had to start thinking about their service in terms of digital impact. </span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}">&nbsp;</span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="none">The aviation industry is no exception, and while we&rsquo;ve been able to book flights and tailor experiences online for years, the industry has stepped up the online experience considerably in the wake of the pandemic. </span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}">&nbsp;</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}">&nbsp;</span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="none">Digitalisation, when implemented correctly, should offer a seamless experience for the customer. </span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}">&nbsp;</span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="none">Omnichannel delivery allows for a continuous customer experience no matter which device is being used to access information. Customers can book using their laptop at home, and purchase extra luggage space or entertainment add-ons via their phone on the way to the airport. </span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}">&nbsp;</span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="none">Notifications and updates allow customers to stay informed of changes to the flight schedule, rather than only finding out once they get to the terminal. </span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}">&nbsp;</span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="none">Lastly, more and more of us are expecting to be able to check-in via mobile, instead of going through long queues. </span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}">&nbsp;</span></p>
<p>Digitalisation enhances customer control, which in turn significantly boosts customer satisfaction. According to the 2023 Global Passenger Survey by IATA, the percentage of airline passengers willing to share their personal data for better, more personalized services has risen to 75%. This reflects an increasing comfort among passengers with sharing biometric data and personal information in exchange for more streamlined and convenient travel experiences, such as faster processing through airports and enhanced customer service​.&nbsp;</p>
<p>In 2023, Delta Airlines' loyalty program continued to see significant growth. The airline earned close to $7 billion in remuneration from its partnership with American Express, reflecting a 22% year-over-year increase. This growth in loyalty program revenue underscores the increasing importance of personalized, digital-first experiences as Delta continues to invest in enhancing customer engagement through its SkyMiles program and premium offerings​.</p>
<h3><span data-contrast="none">Digitalisation of flight systems</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}">&nbsp;</span></h3>
<p><span data-contrast="none">Digitalisation doesn&rsquo;t just help customers, it can also help the aircraft pilots by assisting with every stage of the flight, improving overall operations.</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}">&nbsp;</span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="none">A network of apps help with flight processes, improving operational efficiency, situational awareness, collaboration ability between pilot and co-pilot, and compliance with safety protocols.</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}">&nbsp;</span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="none">Each digital tool helps reduce the burden on pilots, improving efficiency, as well as safety. Establishing a single digital ecosystem for application testing and training makes it easier for pilots and ground-based operators to interact more efficiently, sharing data in real-time. </span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}">&nbsp;</span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="none">Greater consistency and communication can be achieved by providing everyone involved in flight operations with the same information, regardless of where they are situated. Having more eyes on the same data increases the likelihood of detecting problems or opportunities for improvement. </span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}">&nbsp;</span></p>
<h3><span data-contrast="none">Digital tools are changing aircraft design</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}">&nbsp;</span></h3>
<p><span data-contrast="none">It&rsquo;s not just the operations and customer service areas of the industry that can be improved with digital tools. The very design of aircraft is changing thanks to new technology. </span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}">&nbsp;</span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="none">New prototype models are designed and tested in an entirely digital space, with computers able to simulate weather patterns, stresses, emergency scenarios, and more, to completely test a new design in ways that couldn&rsquo;t possibly be accurately recreated in the real world. </span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}">&nbsp;</span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="none">When prototypes are built and tested in the real world however, again data is helping make things more accurate, with the testing of a new aircraft design requiring thousands of data parameters be tested, capturing tens of thousands of data points every second. Even a full team of scientists couldn&rsquo;t analyse all that data, but machines can. </span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}">&nbsp;</span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="none">Mechanical computer-aided designs (MCAD) and electronic computer-aided designs (ECAD) are widely used across aviation and other technical industries, but new technology allows for systems and designs to be synced automatically, while also highlighting the changes for human review. These designs can then be viewed in virtual reality, allowing designs to see the project from all angles, in greater detail than ever before. </span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}">&nbsp;</span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="none">This kind of virtual reality-mapping can also be used in maintenance and repair, with engineers working with virtual reality glasses that display what needs to be done. </span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}">&nbsp;</span></p>
<p><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}">&nbsp;</span><span data-contrast="none">To reap the real rewards of digitalisation the industry needs to put it at the centre of every decision moving forward. Digitalisation should not be an afterthought but the first point of call for new initiatives as well as existing processes. The aviation industry shouldn&rsquo;t see digitalisation as a challenge but rather, an exciting opportunity to grow. </span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}">&nbsp;</span></p>

How the Aviation Industry Is Shifting To A Digital Strategy

6 Ways to Attract the Best Aviation Talent

<p>A career in the aerospace industry is a coveted aspiration for many young engineers. This field is not only highly lucrative but also provides opportunities to work with advanced technology, innovative designs, and groundbreaking fuel systems. The industry is evolving and expanding, driven by the fresh perspectives and contributions of new engineers who are propelling it to thrilling new heights.</p>
<p>Those who work in aerospace acquire a wide array of skills, including mechanical engineering, data analysis, and design, and can go on to work in other fields, or specialise in one area, becoming an expert over the course of their career.</p>
<p>&nbsp;If you&rsquo;re thinking of getting a job in aerospace, here are just some of the great choices available.</p>
<h2>5 great jobs in aerospace</h2>
<h3>Aircraft Mechanic</h3>
<p>While every job in aerospace is important, the mechanic has arguably the most important job of all. Aircraft mechanics are essential to ensuring that aircraft operate safely. They supervise, manage, and perform maintenance on the aircraft to ensure it meets the highest possible standards for safety and functionality, and perform inspections before and after flights. Without them, the plane doesn&rsquo;t fly.</p>
<p>This is a practical job, with great levels of satisfaction. Every day millions of planes take off and land safely thanks to the hard work of aircraft mechanics.</p>
<h3>Data Analyst</h3>
<p>&nbsp;Data analysts collect, analyse, and report data to help others in the industry understand what&rsquo;s happening, and make evidence-based decisions that help improve designs, or move towards the goals of the team.</p>
<p>Analysts often have extensive knowledge of data modelling software and computer programming techniques that can help them in their day-to-day work.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>
<p>Data analysis is an increasingly important aspect of virtually every industry, but especially in aerospace where precision is paramount. As such, analysts often specialise in a particular field, working in tandem with others to provide a complete picture of the project, and how it can be improved.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h3>Drafter</h3>
<p>A drafter is an engineering professional who prepares technical drawings and plans using specialised software. These drawings allow engineers to build prototypes which can go on to become exciting new designs that change the industry, all stemming from that first drawing.</p>
<p>&nbsp;Drafters often specialise within a particular industry, and in aerospace there are often new designs or concepts to test. This is an excellent career option for those who want to make their mark on the industry by creating new designs, they also get to collaborate with engineers and other professionals, meaning you can build your network and get known in the industry.</p>
<h3>Materials Engineer</h3>
<p>These engineers analyse the materials used in construction, and evaluate their use for different parts, areas, and roles. They can work with steel, titanium, carbon fibre, and composite structures. Thanks to 3-D printing, they can even work with plastics.</p>
<p>They can create new components, or even create new composites that improve reliability or strength. They often spend much of their time researching materials, and new manufacturing processes.</p>
<h3>Inspector and Compliance Officer</h3>
<p>Finally, one of the most important jobs in the industry is inspector and compliance officer. They&rsquo;re responsible for ensuring everything is up to code, which is vital for safety. Their work helps protect the crew, the passengers, and also the engineers who work on the planes between flights.</p>
<p>They also train staff on new procedures and evaluate their performance.</p>
<h2>How to choose a career in aerospace</h2>
<p>It's important to choose a career that aligns with your professional interests, goals, and preferences. If you hate programming, consider a job that leans more towards the mechanical side, or if you know you want to be head of design, you&rsquo;ll need to master various design software, as well as developing a deep understanding of the technical aspects, and the physics that impacts a plane during flight.</p>
<p>&nbsp;Any job in the aerospace industry requires many years of hard work and training, so having a passion for the career is important for helping you stay motivated through any challenges along the way.</p>
<p>Aerospace is a rewarding field, with some of the best engineers in the world choosing to dedicate their careers to the industry. Whether you&rsquo;re looking to start a career, or change to something different, aerospace could be the right move for you.</p>
<p>Read more about&nbsp;<a href="https://blog.v-hr.com/blog/how-the-aviation-industry-is-shifting-to-a-digital-strategy">how the aviation industry is shifting to a digital strategy</a>, or read our<a href="https://blog.v-hr.com/blog/aerospace-aviation-trends-report-2021/22">&nbsp;aerospace and aviation trends report</a>.</p>

The Best Careers in Aerospace

<p>When most people think of the aviation industry, they most likely think of planes. Millions of flights take off and land every day, and planes transport vast amounts of global trade.</p>
<p>But that isn&rsquo;t all that makes up the aviation industry. The global helicopter industry is worth around $58 billion today, and is predicted to be worth $76 billion by 2030. Used around the world in all kinds of environments, including cities, deserts, over oceans, and the arctic, helicopters are powerful, versatile means of transport that have performed under conditions that planes simply could not handle.</p>
<p>When it comes to the aviation industry, while there are many jobs working with planes, don&rsquo;t forget about the chance to work with helicopters. With specialisations leading to higher salaries and increased job security, many new engineers getting into the aviation sector are considering careers as helicopter mechanics.</p>
<p>Commonly called &lsquo;rotorcraft&rsquo; in the industry, helicopters are agile and versatile, and so are their mechanics.</p>
<h2>What does a helicopter mechanic do?</h2>
<p>A helicopter mechanic&rsquo;s job is to carry out maintenance and repair work on the airframe and powerplant. Some mechanics choose to specialise in just one particular section or a particular type of aircraft.</p>
<p>As a helicopter mechanic, your most important job is to maintain the safety of the aircraft, the same as any other aviation engineer.</p>
<p>Your day-to-day responsibilities might include:</p>
<ul>
<li>Inspecting aircraft</li>
<li>Diagnosing faults and deciding how best to repair them</li>
<li>Carrying out any necessary repairs or replacing parts</li>
<li>Testing repairs and measuring general performance</li>
<li>Ensuring that the aircraft meets all safety regulations</li>
<li>Keeping records of all work carried out on the aircraft</li>
<li>Being available on-call for emergency repairs</li>
<li>Providing clients with technical advice</li>
</ul>
<h2>Why you should consider a career as a helicopter engineer</h2>
<h3>Helicopter engineers&rsquo; salaries are high</h3>
<p>One of the most important things to consider about any job is the salary you can expect from it.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.glassdoor.co.uk/Salaries/helicopter-engineer-salary-SRCH_KO0,19.htm">Average helicopter engineer salaries in the UK</a>&nbsp;start at around &pound;30,000 annually. As you gain experience, you may end up on around &pound;57,000 annually, possibly higher if you&rsquo;re leading divisions.</p>
<h3>Helicopters are used in emergency services and rescue operations</h3>
<p>Many helicopter engineers feel a deep sense of pride in their work due to the fact that helicopters are routinely used in rescue operations.</p>
<p>The coastguard, police, fire service, armed forces, and search and rescue services all use helicopters in missions which save lives. This sense of purpose, that their work makes a real difference, is often invaluable for engineers.</p>
<h3>You learn transferable skills</h3>
<p>While working as a helicopter mechanic, you&rsquo;ll learn plenty of skills that could serve you across any engineering career.</p>
<p>You&rsquo;ll not only work with the physical machinery, but also the software and data to do with performance, which can be used across all aspects of engineering.</p>
<p>You&rsquo;ll gain more than just technical knowledge: analytical thinking, problem solving, time management, and teamwork are all key elements of working with helicopters. These skills can help you in any career.</p>
<h2>How you can become a helicopter mechanic</h2>
<p>Many helicopter engineers will have bachelor&rsquo;s or master&rsquo;s degrees, but it isn&rsquo;t 100% necessary. Some aircraft engineering companies offer graduate training schemes which can be a way into the industry.</p>
<p>In the UK, to keep in line with the safety standards set out by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), a helicopter mechanic must be licensed.</p>
<p>To do this, you will need to take exams, as well as gain a certain amount of practical maintenance experience with a European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) 145 Maintenance Organisation. This usually takes around 3-4 years, where you will qualify as an aircraft fitter.</p>
<p>You can then prepare for the CAA examinations to get your license.</p>
<p>A category A licence is required for minor maintenance tasks and the replacement of parts.</p>
<p>A category B licence is required for work on more complex aircraft, with more difficult maintenance required.</p>
<p>Both licenses need to be renewed every five years.</p>
<h2>The UK helicopter industry</h2>
<p>Many UK-based aviation companies work in the helicopter industry. Leonardo Helicopters is one major manufacturer and has a partnership with the UK Government. Other firms that supply components for rotary-wing aircraft include Rolls-Royce, Smiths Industries, and BAE Systems.</p>
<h2>Career progression for helicopter mechanics</h2>
<p>A helicopter mechanic&rsquo;s role can branch into several different career options. Once you have enough qualifications and experience, you could become a lead mechanic, an avionics supervisor, or even a maintenance controller.</p>
<p>Some mechanics are even able to branch out into design, developing the blade technology, engine design, airframes, or electrical systems for some of the biggest aviation companies in the world.</p>
<h5>When you&nbsp;<a href="https://blog.v-hr.com/engineering-jobs">look for your next aviation job</a>, consider applying to work with helicopters. Your work could help you stand out across your career, and even save lives.</h5>
<h5>Read more about the&nbsp;<a href="https://blog.v-hr.com/blog/tag/aerospace-aviation">aviation sector</a>, or learn&nbsp;<a href="https://blog.v-hr.com/blog/5-ways-to-find-out-what-hiring-managers-are-looking-for">how to figure out what hiring managers are looking for</a>.</h5>

Why Working as a Helicopter Engineer Could Be the Perfect Aviation Career For You

<p>Saudi Arabia is aiming to attract $100bn in investments into its aviation sector by 2030. This is part of the kingdom&rsquo;s push to diversify away from a purely oil-based economy, via the Vision Project 2030. The project is vast, huge in scope, made up of several &lsquo;giga-projects&rsquo; designed to transform Saudi Arabia&rsquo;s economy and infrastructure.</p>
<p>Tourism is set to be one of the main drivers of its economy in the future, and to do that, it needs to grow. To support this, Saudi Arabia&rsquo;s aviation strategy aims to reach 330 million passengers, 250 international destinations, and 100 million tourists annually by 2030.</p>
<p>According to the World Travel &amp; Tourism Council, travel and tourism accounted for 6.5% of the Saudi Arabian economy in 2021. The Vision plan aims for tourism to make up 10% of the economy by 2030, and generate around one million new jobs.</p>
<p>Some of the key initiatives of the Kingdom&rsquo;s National Aviation Strategy include opening a new airport in Riyadh, opening eight new regional airports, and launching a new airline to manage the increased demand.</p>
<h2>&nbsp;</h2>
<h2>How Saudi Arabia plans to grow their aviation industry</h2>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h3>Flynas aims to become the biggest low-cost airline in the Middle East</h3>
<p>Low-cost air carrier Flynas is expanding its global presence by opening new units in two countries. This is in service of its aim of becoming the largest budget airline in the Middle East, and becoming more well-known across the world.</p>
<p>Flynas reported a 91% growth in passengers over 2022. This was in part due to Flynas launching 30 new routes, and 16 new destinations, as well as bringing the total fleet number up to 43, allowing for far more flights to take place.</p>
<p>They aim to continue this growth across this year and beyond: the Riyadh-based airline is looking to expand its existing fleet to 250 planes, ensuring it will play a key role in the growth of the aviation section throughout the kingdom, as well as the region as a whole.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h3>Transforming existing airports</h3>
<p>While the plan aims to create new commercial airports, existing airports are going to be refurbished and upgraded to improve efficiency and customer experience.</p>
<p>The goal is to upgrade these airports to be better at handling more passengers, which will of course be arriving in greater numbers than ever before, but also to create transportation and logistics hubs that will compete on a global scale, that travellers choose to connect at.</p>
<p>&nbsp;Dubai is likely an inspiration here, having proved that it is possible to take an airport and transform it, changing the way people travel.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><img src="https://blog.v-hr.com/hs-fs/hubfs/backer-sha-ZC1go68bTic-unsplash.jpg?width=467&amp;height=350&amp;name=backer-sha-ZC1go68bTic-unsplash.jpg" sizes="(max-width: 467px) 100vw, 467px" srcset="https://blog.v-hr.com/hs-fs/hubfs/backer-sha-ZC1go68bTic-unsplash.jpg?width=234&amp;height=175&amp;name=backer-sha-ZC1go68bTic-unsplash.jpg 234w, https://blog.v-hr.com/hs-fs/hubfs/backer-sha-ZC1go68bTic-unsplash.jpg?width=467&amp;height=350&amp;name=backer-sha-ZC1go68bTic-unsplash.jpg 467w, https://blog.v-hr.com/hs-fs/hubfs/backer-sha-ZC1go68bTic-unsplash.jpg?width=701&amp;height=525&amp;name=backer-sha-ZC1go68bTic-unsplash.jpg 701w, https://blog.v-hr.com/hs-fs/hubfs/backer-sha-ZC1go68bTic-unsplash.jpg?width=934&amp;height=700&amp;name=backer-sha-ZC1go68bTic-unsplash.jpg 934w, https://blog.v-hr.com/hs-fs/hubfs/backer-sha-ZC1go68bTic-unsplash.jpg?width=1168&amp;height=875&amp;name=backer-sha-ZC1go68bTic-unsplash.jpg 1168w, https://blog.v-hr.com/hs-fs/hubfs/backer-sha-ZC1go68bTic-unsplash.jpg?width=1401&amp;height=1050&amp;name=backer-sha-ZC1go68bTic-unsplash.jpg 1401w" alt="backer-sha-ZC1go68bTic-unsplash" width="467" height="350" loading="lazy"></p>
<h3>Giga-projects</h3>
<p>&nbsp;Until now, most tourists and visitors have been domestic. For the tourism sector to be transformed, bringing in international visitors, there will need to be new tourism attractions. This is where the giga-projects come in.</p>
<p>&nbsp;The &ldquo;Red Sea eco-system&rdquo; is a key area of investment and development, and consists of three giga-projects: AMAALA, NEOM, and the Red Sea Project.&nbsp;</p>
<p>The area is close to both Jordan and Egypt, each with their own resorts along the Red Sea, showing that the region is already a viable tourist zone, which has led to each project being aimed at specific groups of tourists to maximise revenue potential.</p>
<p>AMAALA is an ultra-luxury tourism destination currently being developed, spanning more than 4,000 square kilometers.</p>
<p>When complete in 2027, it will be home to more than 3,000 hotel rooms across 25 hotels, and approximately 900 luxury residential villas, apartments, and estate homes, alongside high-end retail establishments, fine dining, wellness, and recreational facilities.</p>
<p>A former military airport, NEOM Bay has been redesigned for commercial travel, and started handling passengers earlier this year. NEOM sits between three continents, with around 40% of the world accessible within a six-hour flight. Customer-centric connectivity is the aim for the airport, with cutting-edge technology providing an unparalleled experience.</p>
<p>The Red Sea International Airport is due to open next year and is designed to be able to handle up to a million passengers at its busiest times. The airport is planning to innovate on the traditional travel model, perhaps the most exciting way being the removal of the baggage claims area, with luggage instead being delivered to guests&rsquo; hotel rooms to shorten time spent at the airport.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><img src="https://blog.v-hr.com/hs-fs/hubfs/abdulrhman-alkhnaifer-kUANvJwGN4M-unsplash.jpg?width=479&amp;height=319&amp;name=abdulrhman-alkhnaifer-kUANvJwGN4M-unsplash.jpg" sizes="(max-width: 479px) 100vw, 479px" srcset="https://blog.v-hr.com/hs-fs/hubfs/abdulrhman-alkhnaifer-kUANvJwGN4M-unsplash.jpg?width=240&amp;height=160&amp;name=abdulrhman-alkhnaifer-kUANvJwGN4M-unsplash.jpg 240w, https://blog.v-hr.com/hs-fs/hubfs/abdulrhman-alkhnaifer-kUANvJwGN4M-unsplash.jpg?width=479&amp;height=319&amp;name=abdulrhman-alkhnaifer-kUANvJwGN4M-unsplash.jpg 479w, https://blog.v-hr.com/hs-fs/hubfs/abdulrhman-alkhnaifer-kUANvJwGN4M-unsplash.jpg?width=719&amp;height=479&amp;name=abdulrhman-alkhnaifer-kUANvJwGN4M-unsplash.jpg 719w, https://blog.v-hr.com/hs-fs/hubfs/abdulrhman-alkhnaifer-kUANvJwGN4M-unsplash.jpg?width=958&amp;height=638&amp;name=abdulrhman-alkhnaifer-kUANvJwGN4M-unsplash.jpg 958w, https://blog.v-hr.com/hs-fs/hubfs/abdulrhman-alkhnaifer-kUANvJwGN4M-unsplash.jpg?width=1198&amp;height=798&amp;name=abdulrhman-alkhnaifer-kUANvJwGN4M-unsplash.jpg 1198w, https://blog.v-hr.com/hs-fs/hubfs/abdulrhman-alkhnaifer-kUANvJwGN4M-unsplash.jpg?width=1437&amp;height=957&amp;name=abdulrhman-alkhnaifer-kUANvJwGN4M-unsplash.jpg 1437w" alt="abdulrhman-alkhnaifer-kUANvJwGN4M-unsplash" width="479" height="319" loading="lazy"></p>
<h3>A new flag-carrier</h3>
<p>There&rsquo;ll also be a new flag carrier, possibly branded as RIA (Riyadh International Airlines), based at Riyadh, designed to compete with other leading Middle Eastern airlines.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>
<p>That means an extensive long-haul network, enabling international transit traffic, and bringing high value tourists into the kingdom from all over the world. With initial investment said to be in the region of $30 billion, and rumours of a large order of Airbus A350 aircraft, the airline may be set to make a big impact on the aviation industry.</p>
<p>Saudi Arabia has always been able to attract investment, and with these plans in place, there is no doubt that the kingdom will change the future of the aviation industry, both in the region, and around the world.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><img src="https://blog.v-hr.com/hs-fs/hubfs/haidan-RhkbHU14MoA-unsplash.jpg?width=465&amp;height=310&amp;name=haidan-RhkbHU14MoA-unsplash.jpg" sizes="(max-width: 465px) 100vw, 465px" srcset="https://blog.v-hr.com/hs-fs/hubfs/haidan-RhkbHU14MoA-unsplash.jpg?width=233&amp;height=155&amp;name=haidan-RhkbHU14MoA-unsplash.jpg 233w, https://blog.v-hr.com/hs-fs/hubfs/haidan-RhkbHU14MoA-unsplash.jpg?width=465&amp;height=310&amp;name=haidan-RhkbHU14MoA-unsplash.jpg 465w, https://blog.v-hr.com/hs-fs/hubfs/haidan-RhkbHU14MoA-unsplash.jpg?width=698&amp;height=465&amp;name=haidan-RhkbHU14MoA-unsplash.jpg 698w, https://blog.v-hr.com/hs-fs/hubfs/haidan-RhkbHU14MoA-unsplash.jpg?width=930&amp;height=620&amp;name=haidan-RhkbHU14MoA-unsplash.jpg 930w, https://blog.v-hr.com/hs-fs/hubfs/haidan-RhkbHU14MoA-unsplash.jpg?width=1163&amp;height=775&amp;name=haidan-RhkbHU14MoA-unsplash.jpg 1163w, https://blog.v-hr.com/hs-fs/hubfs/haidan-RhkbHU14MoA-unsplash.jpg?width=1395&amp;height=930&amp;name=haidan-RhkbHU14MoA-unsplash.jpg 1395w" alt="haidan-RhkbHU14MoA-unsplash" width="465" height="310" loading="lazy"></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>&nbsp;Learn&nbsp;<a href="https://blog.v-hr.com/blog/why-civil-engineering-is-growing-in-the-middle-east">why civil engineering is growing in the Middle East</a>, or learn about the&nbsp;<a href="https://blog.v-hr.com/blog/contracting-and-construction-in-the-middle-east-how-technology-and-the-engineering-skills-shortage-are-linked">technical skills shortage in the Middle East</a></p>

How Saudi Arabia’s Transformation Plan Will Impact The Future Of Aviation

<p>While every industry suffered during the Covid-19 pandemic, aviation was one of the worst hit, and took a long time to recover.</p>
<p>It wasn&rsquo;t just airlines that struggled: airports, aircraft and engine manufacturers, and supply chain businesses worldwide felt the dramatic impact of the pandemic.</p>
<p>The industry is, by its very nature, global, meaning it was one of the main vectors that allowed Covid to spread around the world. Many countries shut down their airports immediately, while others allowed flights to operate at a fraction of what they usually would. By mid-April of 2020, international air traffic in Europe was down by 95% from what it was the previous year. In 2020, industry revenues totaled $328 billion, just 40% of what was made in 2019.</p>
<p>This was necessary to combat the spread of the virus, but brutally damaged the aviation industry. There are many lessons the industry can learn from how the pandemic unfolded which should be a priority to act on, as they can help the industry become more resilient to sudden disruption of any kind in the future.</p>
<h2>Lessons the aviation industry should learn from the pandemic</h2>
<h3>Flexibility is vital</h3>
<p>Every business and industry had to suddenly pivot to new models of working almost immediately when lockdown began. For many, this meant changing to a 100% digital offering, regardless of whether this suited their business.</p>
<p>The aviation industry had to invent creative new ways of providing value for customers, while also abiding by new rules, regulations, and laws.</p>
<h3>Communication and collaboration between airlines and governments</h3>
<p>Due to government loans or bailouts, it&rsquo;s likely that airlines will have more interaction with governments. While this may bring additional scrutiny, it is also an opportunity for industry leaders to develop better relationships with governments.</p>
<p>As an example of this, the ICAO introduced the Council Aviation Recovery Task Force (CART), which provides guidance to both governments and industry operators to support the aviation industry and recover from the impacts of COVID-19.</p>
<h3>Build stronger supply chains</h3>
<p>There was widespread disruption across supply chains of virtually every kind during the pandemic. Aviation was no different, and this issue could pose a problem again if not addressed.</p>
<p>The industry as a whole needs to be able to source materials and parts quickly and easily, and we&rsquo;ve seen what happens when this can&rsquo;t happen. Industry leaders must not rely on a single supplier, and build a wide and robust network that can allow them to source whatever they need.</p>
<h3>Sustainable fuel should be a priority</h3>
<p>There has been disruption in the availability of oil and fuel for some time, but the pandemic put more pressure on supply, making it difficult to get regular, dependable fuel.</p>
<p>If the aviation industry were able to fully transition to sustainable fuel, it would provide far more security, with fuel readily available and easy to source and supply wherever it is needed.</p>
<h3>Digital experiences are more important than ever</h3>
<p>Lastly, the pandemic brought into focus just how vital digital experiences are for aviation customers.</p>
<p>Creating leading digital experiences and apps isn&rsquo;t cheap, so airlines need to accept a certain level of investment. Before the pandemic, the average annual airline spend on IT and digital technology was low, certainly compared to the cost of maintaining the fleet.</p>
<p>But now, it&rsquo;s absolutely necessary for every airline to have a digital offering, and to have staff able to use digital tools to provide a seamless experience for customers. Check-in and boarding should be simple, and able to do from your phone. Certain airlines are leading the way for this, with dedicated apps that allow customers to earn points, manage their bookings, and have more control over their travel experience.</p>
<p>Analytics are similarly important, allowing for enhanced, intelligent decision making. As more airports make the transition to becoming smart buildings, they&rsquo;ll be able to better understand the needs of their customers.</p>
<p>If the aviation industry at large learns the lessons from navigating the challenges of the pandemic, it will be stronger, more resilient, and in a better position to meet the changing needs of customers, allowing the industry to thrive, even in uncertain times.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>Read more about&nbsp;<a href="https://blog.v-hr.com/blog/airport-challenges-2022-23">challenges airports faced over the last year</a>, or learn&nbsp;<a href="https://blog.v-hr.com/blog/how-covid-changed-the-job-market">how Covid changed the job market</a>.</p>

Lessons the Aviation Industry Learned From the Covid-19 Pandemic

<h1><strong>What is Air Force One?</strong></h1>
<p>Air Force One is&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/about-the-white-house/air-force-one/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">the modified plane</a>&nbsp;flown in by the President of the United States of America. It has been featured in countless films and TV shows and is intrinsically linked to the concept of governmental power and absolute safety for the US President. Weighing 800,000 pounds, the plane is stocked with everything you would expect the president might need, as well as several high-tech surprises you wouldn&rsquo;t find on a normal commercial aircraft.</p>
<h2><strong>What Makes Air Force One Special?</strong></h2>
<h3><strong>1. Unique Status</strong></h3>
<p>Considered by many to be a kind of flying fortress, the title of Air Force One is actually given to any air force-piloted plane that is carrying the president. The current model designated Air Force One is a modified Boeing VC-25A. The name &lsquo;Air Force One&rsquo; was established after an incident in 1953, when an Eastern Airlines flight with the same designation crossed paths with the president's plane, then called Air Force 8610, although the Air Force One name was not made official until 1962. In service since 1990, the current Air Force One model has carried five different presidents.</p>
<h3>2.&nbsp;<strong>Luxury Rooms and Facilities</strong></h3>
<p>The "flying Oval Office" has 4,000 square feet of interior floor space. Among its accommodations are:</p>
<ul>
<li>Conference/dining room</li>
<li>Quarters for the US President and the First Lady, including a bathroom and gym</li>
<li>An office area for senior staff members</li>
<li>Another office that converts into a medical facility when necessary</li>
<li>Work and rest areas for the presidential staff, media representatives and Air Force crews</li>
<li>Two galleys that can provide 100 meals at one sitting</li>
<li>Multi-frequency radios for air-to-air, air-to-ground and satellite communications</li>
</ul>
<h3><strong>3. Unrivalled Travelling Ability</strong></h3>
<p>With a full tank of 53,611 gallons of fuel, Air Force One can fly halfway around the world. The state-of-the-art communications are set up to ensure connectivity at all times, for the passing of information and intelligence. The plane is fitted with 238 miles of wiring to power 85 telephones, 19 televisions and countless radios. It costs around $56,000 an hour to operate.</p>
<h3><strong>4. Tailored Protection for the US President</strong></h3>
<p>The medical facility has an operating table and is equipped for a wide variety of emergencies. A supply of the sitting president&rsquo;s blood type is kept on the plane at all times. Beyond that, it also has a suite of technological and aerial combat capabilities, including anti-missile defences.</p>
<h3><strong>5. Cutting Edge Technology</strong></h3>
<p>A new model is slated to be the next Air Force One: the Boeing 747-8. Although it won&rsquo;t be ready for some time, it is being fitted with advanced shielding to protect it from an electro-magnetic pulse that would accompany a nuclear strike. This, as well as other upgrades, are set to cost around $3.7 billion. Recent new refrigerators for the current plane cost $24 million and are now able to hold 3,000 meals.</p>
<h3><strong>6. Flight Speed and Ability</strong></h3>
<p>Every flight is considered a military operation, with the possibility that attack could come at any moment. Jammers and anti-missile defences give the plane enhanced security. The plane can refuel in mid-air, allowing it to stay airborne in the event of an emergency.</p>
<p>It can also fly faster and higher than any commercial plane. The plane can reach heights of 45,000 feet, whereas commercial planes usually travel at 30,000. During 9/11, when the government weren&rsquo;t sure if an attack on the president was imminent, the plane climbed to 45,000 feet and stayed there for some time to avoid detection. It can reach speeds of 600 mph, almost the speed of sound. On that same flight, F1 fighter pilots accompanying the plane had to ask the pilot to slow down, as they couldn&rsquo;t keep up with it.</p>
<p>Air Force One is one of the most advanced, highly specialised planes in the world. As technology improves, it is likely more and more upgrades will be fitted to the plane, keeping it at the cutting-edge.</p>
<p>Read more about&nbsp;<a href="https://blog.v-hr.com/blog/why-working-as-a-helicopter-engineer-could-be-the-perfect-aviation-career-for-you" target="_blank" rel="noopener">why working as a helicopter engineer could be the perfect role for you</a>, or learn&nbsp;<a href="https://blog.v-hr.com/blog/the-secrets-to-finding-top-engineering-candidates" target="_blank" rel="noopener">our secrets behind finding the top engineering candidates</a></p>

What Makes Air Force One Special?

<p>Aviation is currently responsible for around 2.5% of all CO2 emissions globally. That may not sound like much, but when you consider, that around 40 billion tonnes of CO2 is released into the atmosphere each year, even small percentages can have a big impact.&nbsp;</p>
<p>With former customers turning down flights due to the environmental damage, many airports and airlines are looking at ways they can reduce their CO2 emissions.&nbsp;</p>
<p>The UK has set out its Jet Zero strategy to reach net zero in domestic aviation by 2040 and for all airports to have achieved zero-emissions by the same year.</p>
<p>Individual airports, like Farnborough, have set out to meet this target even sooner, in just eight years.&nbsp;</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h2>How Farnborough airport is aiming to reach net zero</h2>
<p>Farnborough airport has adopted the goal of becoming net zero by 2030, an ambitious goal for a busy aviation hub. But they&rsquo;ve proven before they&rsquo;re capable of drastically reducing their carbon footprint: in 2018, it was the first business aviation airport in the world to achieve carbon neutral status, and over the last decade the airport has reduced its emissions by 70% by introducing LED lights, utilising electric vehicles, and using REGO energy (Reliable Energy Guarantees of Origin), energy produced through sustainable methods.</p>
<p>Farnborough was also the first airport in the world to offer sustainable aviation fuel at the same price as traditional fuel, to help push their vision for a net zero aviation industry. More initiatives like this will be needed to help push the aviation industry as a whole towards a greener future, but let&rsquo;s look at how aviation can achieve net zero.&nbsp;</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h2>How the Aviation industry can reach net zero</h2>
<h3>Sustainable Aviation Fuel</h3>
<p>Sustainable aviation fuel is a greener alternative to traditional fuel. It can reduce lifecycle CO2 emissions by up to 80%, so is one of the fastest ways for airlines to drastically reduce their carbon footprint.&nbsp;</p>
<p>SAF is made from waste materials such as household waste, sewage, or used cooking oil, so not only does it limit the emissions made from flying, it also helps clean up the planet while being made.</p>
<p>The government is introducing legislation to ensure at least 10% of jet fuel is sustainable aviation fuel by 2030. To support this, the government is planning at least 5 commercial-scale SAF plants in the UK by 2025.&nbsp;</p>
<p>This will be vital, as the biggest barriers to widespread adoption are the production and purchase cost. These plants will help increase use of SAF not just in this country, but also around the world as more airlines begin to follow the UK&rsquo;s example.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Pioneering SAF projects can also now apply to the &pound;165 million Advanced Fuels Fund, making it easier to get them off the ground. Hopefully over the coming decades we&rsquo;ll see a more widespread adoption of SAF, and possibly even&nbsp;<a href="https://blog.v-hr.com/blog/rolls-royce-are-building-the-fastest-electric-plane-in-history" target="_blank" rel="noopener">fully-electric planes</a>.&nbsp;</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h3>Modernise airports</h3>
<p>It&rsquo;s not just the planes and the fuel that contribute to pollution. The materials used in airport construction, the vehicles that carry passengers and luggage, the electricity used to run the lights and systems, everything has the potential to add to CO2 emissions if not carefully considered and upgraded to a new, green version.&nbsp;</p>
<p>The UK government is providing &pound;3.7 million between now and next year to help airports upgrade their existing infrastructure.&nbsp;</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h3>Carbon Removal Technologies</h3>
<p>While cutting down on emissions is a smart move, we can also begin to deal with the existing carbon dioxide and other pollutants in the atmosphere by actively removing it.</p>
<p>Greenhouse gas removal can be done through two ways. The simplest is by introducing more plants and trees into the local environment, capturing CO2 they use to grow.&nbsp;</p>
<p>The second method of carbon removal is direct air capture (DAC) technology. The DAC market could potentially reach $100 billion by 2030. Airports will likely invest in both methods over the coming years, to help reduce their overall pollution levels.&nbsp;</p>
<p>The aviation industry has a responsibility to lower its carbon emissions. There are many ways it can do this, as well as government funds available to help cover the costs of new fuel, aircraft, and infrastructure. If the UK can lead the way, hopefully other countries, airlines, and airports will be encouraged to lower their environmental impact using similar strategies.&nbsp;</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>Read more about <a href="https://blog.v-hr.com/blog/establishing-strategies-for-sustainable-aviation" target="_blank" rel="noopener">establishing strategies for sustainable aviation</a>, or learn&nbsp;<a href="https://blog.v-hr.com/blog/how-the-aviation-industry-is-shifting-to-a-digital-strategy" target="_blank" rel="noopener">how the aviation industry is shifting to a digital strategy</a>.&nbsp;</p>

Can the UK reach net-zero in Aviation?

<p><span data-contrast="none">The skills shortage is one of the biggest issues facing the technical sector today. Across different industries, whether aviation, automotive, marine, or energy, businesses are struggling to attract and retain top talent. </span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}">&nbsp;</span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="none">Given these industries have generally offered security, competitive salaries, and rewarding work, why is there such a shortage of talent?</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}">&nbsp;</span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="none">Why is there a skill shortage in technical industries</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}">&nbsp;</span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="none">The main issue is a lack of widespread available talent in the first instance. As roles require more skill and expertise, the less people there are that are qualified for those roles. As competition rises, so do salary offers, meaning skilled workers have the incentive and security to change companies. </span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}">&nbsp;</span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="none">This means that there&rsquo;s both a lack of new talent entering the workforce, and senior technicians and engineers are unlikely to stay at a company long enough to train or upskill junior workers, leaving a talent vacuum at both ends of the ladder. </span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}">&nbsp;</span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="none">This can be rectified by educating and bringing more people into the industry, but this kind of widespread change requires help from the government, as well as from schools and universities. </span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}">&nbsp;</span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="none">However, there are things businesses can do to proactively find, engage, and retain engineering talent. </span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}">&nbsp;</span></p>
<h2><span data-contrast="none">How technical businesses can find and retain engineering talent</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}">&nbsp;</span></h2>
<h3><span data-contrast="none">Aviation </span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}">&nbsp;</span></h3>
<p><span data-contrast="none">Across the pandemic we&rsquo;ve seen the aviation industry struggle due to a lack of staff, whether from furlough, illness, quarantine, or leaving the industry entirely. Given the instability of the industry over the last two years, it&rsquo;s not hard to see why.</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}">&nbsp;</span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="none">However, according to the International Civil Aviation Organisation, by 2026, we will need </span><a href="https://www.icao.int/newsroom/pages/icao-addresses-shortage-of-skilled-aviation-professionals.aspx"><span data-contrast="none">480,000 new technicians to maintain the industry</span></a><span data-contrast="none">.</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}">&nbsp;</span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="none">This leaves aviation companies with precious few senior engineers left to upskill new workers, and a lot of jobs to fill. A solution to this is more aggressive recruitment of new workers, combined with rigorous training and development while on the job. </span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}">&nbsp;</span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="none">Increased education and support for engineering students will help ease the talent shortage for every technical industry, but businesses can take the long view of looking at the potential of new talent and investing in them, instead of thinking only of what they can do today. </span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}">&nbsp;</span></p>
<h3><span data-contrast="none">Automotive &amp; F1</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}">&nbsp;</span></h3>
<p><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}">&nbsp;</span><span data-contrast="none">According to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, staff turnover rose to more than 14% in 2020. Following on from this, the number of job vacancies rose by 40% in the first three months of 2022, to a five year high for the industry. As demand for roles increases, so does the salary, which is why the salary for vehicle technicians has risen by around 8% on average, year on year. </span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}">&nbsp;</span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="none">While raises in salary can help attract and retain workers, the Institute of the Motor Industry has warned that the automotive retail sector currently </span><a href="https://www.am-online.com/news/aftersales/2021/08/18/imi-calls-for-15m-skills-funding-boost-to-get-technicians-ev-ready"><span data-contrast="none">does not have the skills pipeline</span></a><span data-contrast="none"> necessary to service and repair electric vehicles, calling on investment from the government to help contribute towards additional training. </span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}">&nbsp;</span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="none">As with all technical industries, more needs to be done to upskill existing workers, as they can then train and mentor new recruits. </span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}">&nbsp;</span></p>
<h3><span data-contrast="none">Marine</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}">&nbsp;</span></h3>
<p><span data-contrast="none">One of the best ways for the marine industry to stay ahead of talent shortages is for businesses to identify the specialised talent they need, and when they need it. Marine-specific talent with experience are in high-demand, and can be difficult to source and scale when production calls for it, so knowing ahead of time when projects will be going live can save a headache later on.</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}">&nbsp;</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}">&nbsp;</span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="none">A recruitment company that understands your needs can locate and supplement your current workforce, and is critical in today&rsquo;s labour environment. </span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}">&nbsp;</span></p>
<h3><span data-contrast="none">Energy</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}">&nbsp;</span></h3>
<p><span data-contrast="none">The energy crisis has shown how much could be solved if we developed more renewable energy infrastructure, prompting fresh interest from businesses, the government, and young engineering students. However, in the UK, the offshore wind sector alone requires 69,000 workers to reach the government&rsquo;s 40 gigawatt target by 2030, leaving a large gap to be filled.</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}">&nbsp;</span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="none">While new workers in traditional fossil fuels have been declining, there still aren&rsquo;t enough new workers entering the renewable field, which is somewhat surprising considering how secure the long-term job prospects are.</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}">&nbsp;</span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="none">This may be due to a lack of focused, secure contracts with the government. Plans should last for years or even decades, not months. This would encourage younger people to begin a career in energy, knowing that there will still be good job prospects when they are fully qualified. </span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}">&nbsp;</span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="none">The government has introduced a raft of new skill programmes for young people, but these largely rely on teachers securing placements themselves, on top of their already full schedules. Put simply, it isn&rsquo;t enough to just offer new programmes, more must be done to raise awareness, and support those who express an interest. </span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}">&nbsp;</span></p>
<h3><span data-contrast="none">Engineering, Infrastructure, and Manufacturing</span></h3>
<p><span data-contrast="none">Manufacturing businesses were struggling with a skills gap long before the pandemic: in 2015, manufacturers reported 35% of their positions were challenging to fill, this climbed to 46% last year, according to a study by Deloitte.</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}">&nbsp;</span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="none">As with many of the industries listed above, one of the easiest ways to increase recruitment into engineering and manufacture is to offer an increased salary.</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}">&nbsp;</span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="none">As engineers are often needed onsite, remote working or other perks aren&rsquo;t always able to be offered, but a higher salary is always attractive no matter what the job may be. </span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}">&nbsp;</span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="none">Of course, beyond salary there are other areas the technical industry needs to address in order to fill the skills gap. </span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}">&nbsp;</span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="none">Firstly, there needs to be more awareness and guidance for early career professionals and young people about careers in the industry, and secondly, employers need to invest in education and upskilling to retain skilled professionals and create the next generation of industry experts.</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}">&nbsp;</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}">&nbsp;</span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="none">While industry leaders are of course devoting time and resources to combatting the skills gap by training the next generation of tech experts, there also needs to be consideration for how the skills gap presents itself right now. </span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}">&nbsp;</span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="none">Providing training for existing professionals is a good start, but business leaders also need to consider the transferable skills of those outside the tech industry. </span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}">&nbsp;</span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="none">These skills provide unique problem-solving skills, which is well-suited to a rapidly evolving industry. Tech moves quickly, and with most young people being digital natives, or working in adjacent fields, it can be worth utilising their perspectives for technical roles.</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}">&nbsp;</span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="none">Candidates with varied or non-traditional engineering backgrounds may not just provide the necessary labour the industry is seeking, it may even help improve processes, increase efficiency, and help propel businesses forward. Specialised technical recruitment is one of the best ways you can find new workers outside the established talent pool of your industry.</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}">&nbsp;</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}">&nbsp;</span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="none">The skills gap is not unsolvable, it simply requires industry leaders to adopt new solutions to this old problem.</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}">&nbsp;</span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="none">For help finding top talent, </span><a href="https://info.v-hr.com/recruitment-services-request?hsCtaTracking=031bd555-7bf4-402d-9e75-1c55dd740139%7C8d9b22a6-89ab-4fcb-afa5-42abf04dbcfb"><span data-contrast="none">contact us today</span></a><span data-contrast="none">. </span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}">&nbsp;</span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="none">Read more about the </span><a href="https://blog.v-hr.com/blog/how-security-leaders-can-close-the-cyber-skills-gap"><span data-contrast="none">skills gap in cyber security</span></a><span data-contrast="none"> or read our </span><a href="https://blog.v-hr.com/blog/the-civils-and-infrastructure-employment-market-outlook"><span data-contrast="none">civil infrastructure employment market outlook</span></a><span data-contrast="none">.</span></p>

How To Address The Skills Shortage In The Technical And Engineering Industries

<p><span data-contrast="none">We&rsquo;re living at a critical moment in the fight against climate change. </span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}">&nbsp;</span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="none">According to some estimates, emissions need to fall by 7.6% each year over the next decade to limit global warming to 1.5C. This is a huge undertaking, and every industry needs to play its part.</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}">&nbsp;</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}">&nbsp;</span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="none">The aviation sector has come under scrutiny due to being a large contributor to global emissions.</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}">&nbsp;</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}">&nbsp;</span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="none">In 2019, the global aviation industry was responsible for 12% of all transport-related CO2 emissions that year, over 900 million tonnes of carbon dioxide. </span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}">&nbsp;</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}">&nbsp;</span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="none">Realising things had to change, the aviation industry has made significant progress in fuel and CO2 efficiency, halving the amount of fuel used per flight compared to 1990. This has been achieved through technological advancement, as well as improvements in operations and infrastructure.</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}">&nbsp;</span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="none">Each new generation of aircraft is roughly 15% more fuel-efficient, and manufacturers invest billions per year in research into greater efficiency. </span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}">&nbsp;</span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="none">The UK aviation industry has set decarbonisation targets of at least 15% by 2030, and 40% by 2040, which has reaffirmed its commitment to net-zero by 2050, a crucial target year for the entire industry. </span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}">&nbsp;</span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="none">But how will this be achieved?</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}">&nbsp;</span></p>
<h2 aria-level="2"><span data-contrast="auto">How the Aviation Industry can become more sustainable</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:360,&quot;335559739&quot;:120,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}">&nbsp;</span></h2>
<h3 aria-level="2"><span data-contrast="auto">Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF)</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:360,&quot;335559739&quot;:120,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}">&nbsp;</span></h3>
<p><span data-contrast="none">One of the easiest ways for the aviation industry to tackle its carbon footprint is by using a more sustainable fuel than traditional jet fuel. Luckily, a reliable fuel alternative has been in use for some time: Sustainable Aviation Fuel, or SAF. While it doesn&rsquo;t have the most imaginative name, it works and is growing in popularity.</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}">&nbsp;</span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="none">Part of what makes this fuel so powerful in the fight against emissions is that it doesn&rsquo;t require additional equipment or infrastructure investment, as it can be mixed with existing fuel. </span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}">&nbsp;</span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="none">This fuel isn&rsquo;t just cleaner than traditional fuel, it can be made from the by-products of other industries, so it helps recycle materials that might otherwise go to waste or cause harm. Sustainable Aviation Fuel also reduces the number of harmful particulates that are produced from air travel, such as SOx and NOx emissions.</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}">&nbsp;</span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="none">If used alone, SAF can reduce emissions by up to 80%. In its pure form, however, it is not yet able to meet the standards set by the aviation industry, so it&rsquo;s blended with conventional jet fuel, helping to limit the carbon footprint of air travel. </span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}">&nbsp;</span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="none">Although the use of SAF is increasing in the aviation industry and is expected to become much more common in the future, it represents less than 1% of the types of aviation fuel currently in use by the industry. This is partially due to the cost: it is around four times more expensive than traditional fuel. It is also due to availability. SAF has to be manufactured, and while it is readily available in some locations, it has to be shipped to others. </span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}">&nbsp;</span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="none">This presents a problem since the environmental benefit of a &ldquo;green product&rdquo; such as SAF is diminished if it has to be transported long distances by truck before it can be used. Consuming SAF close to where it is produced is crucial for the aviation industry to reduce its carbon footprint.</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}">&nbsp;</span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="none">That&rsquo;s where &ldquo;book-and-claim&rdquo; comes in. This is an emerging practice in the aviation field, where SAF is purchased by one customer and used by another, helping to limit the environmental impact. </span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}">&nbsp;</span></p>
<h3 aria-level="2"><span data-contrast="auto">Operational Improvements</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:360,&quot;335559739&quot;:120,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}">&nbsp;</span></h3>
<p><span data-contrast="none">Fuel is only one part of the equation, the way the planes are built, flown, and maintained is another.</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}">&nbsp;</span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="none">New fleets are being made lighter, and more efficient. Even the way air traffic control operates is changing. Landing using a continuous descent instead of the more traditional method saves around 150kg of carbon dioxide per flight. </span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}">&nbsp;</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}">&nbsp;</span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="none">Even the wingtip devices can have an impact on the overall fuel efficiency of the plane, so every component, every technique, everything from the seats we sit into the cutlery we use is being optimised for sustainability. </span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}">&nbsp;</span></p>
<h3 aria-level="2"><span data-contrast="auto">Government policies that incentivise carbon removal technologies</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:360,&quot;335559739&quot;:120,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}">&nbsp;</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}">&nbsp;</span></h3>
<p><span data-contrast="none">Aviation businesses have been looking at cutting their emissions for decades, but this comes at a massive cost to their bottom line. Government policies, incentives, and subsidies help ease the financial impact, making it easier for progress to be made faster than would be possible if the industry was working alone. </span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}">&nbsp;</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}">&nbsp;</span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="none">As such, the industry is asking for more support from governments around the world to help shoulder the cost of increased sustainability. </span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}">&nbsp;</span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="none">One such initiative is the international Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA), which has helped the industry make great leaps towards carbon neutrality. </span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}">&nbsp;</span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="none">When it comes to sustainability projects like electric cars and solar power, there have been landmark projects showing the effectiveness of government policies and subsidies in speeding up sustainable action, as well as aiding with widespread adoption. </span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}">&nbsp;</span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="none">More needs to be done on a national level to support airlines around the world, so we&rsquo;ll likely see more initiatives as we get closer to 2050 and governments begin to see the tangible benefits of supporting the aviation industry become more sustainable. </span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}">&nbsp;</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}">&nbsp;</span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="none">Read more about the aviation industry in our </span><a href="https://blog.v-hr.com/blog/aerospace-aviation-trends-report-2021/22"><span data-contrast="none">aviation trends report</span></a><span data-contrast="none">, or learn about other </span><a href="https://blog.v-hr.com/blog/the-future-of-green-energy"><span data-contrast="none">sustainable energy sources</span></a><span data-contrast="none">. </span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}">&nbsp;</span></p>

Establishing Strategies for Sustainable Aviation

<p>Aerospace&nbsp;and Aviation generates 2% of the world&rsquo;s carbon emissions, with one flight producing&nbsp;<a href="https://blog.v-hr.com/blog/aircraft-design-challenges-and-solutions-for-2020">more CO2</a>&nbsp;than the average human produces in one year.&nbsp;&nbsp;Airports are exceeding or reaching capacity due to the increased demand and accessibility of business and leisure travel. In an aim to reverse the climate change caused by the sector&rsquo;s emissions, the United Nations have targeted airlines globally to monitor their CO2 emissions as part of the Pairs Agreement and regularly review emissions to identify reductions, and the UK&rsquo;s Sustainable Aviation Commission industry&nbsp;<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2020/feb/04/uk-air-industry-sets-zero-carbon-target-despite-70-more-flights">recently pledged</a>&nbsp;to cut net carbon emissions to zero by 2050.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Made even more difficult by Covid-19. The pandemic has set new hygiene and safety standards for the year ahead, and these requirements are sure to continue into the near future as increased globalisation prepares international leaders to expect other contagious disease outbreaks. Necessary cabin decontamination will use additional energy and water utilities for every flight, airport sanitisation will be made possible through the use of various chemicals, and disposable products that protect travellers and employees from cross-contamination will build up a high volume of excess waste.&nbsp;</p>
<p>&nbsp;However, many Aviation leaders and sector specialists are already stepping up to the challenge. Here are five ways that carriers can meet sustainability targets whilst maintaining business continuity and protecting passengers and crew.&nbsp;</p>
<h3><strong>5 Environmentally Sustainable Aviation Innovations</strong><strong>&nbsp;</strong></h3>
<h3><strong>1. Biofuels&nbsp;</strong></h3>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>Aircraft fuels are one of the largest culprits for Aviation pollution, and rising fuel prices have been attributed as a major factor in the collapse of multiple airlines around the world in recent years. The EU&rsquo;s Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (<a href="https://ec.europa.eu/clima/policies/transport/aviation_en">Corsia</a>) aims to stabilise CO2 emissions at 2020 levels. The measures will be voluntary until 2027, after which European counties and their airlines will be targeted to reduce or offset their emissions &ndash; and fuel innovation could provide the solution.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>
<p>Biofuels created from renewable energy sources and more environmentally-friendly materials are becoming a more popular investment across the industry.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.transportenvironment.org/publications/role-electrofuel-technologies-europes-low-carbon-transport-future">Electrofuels</a>&nbsp;such as power-to-liquid are a potential source of zero or lower carbon alternatives. Sustainable Aviation fuels could&nbsp;<a href="https://aviationbenefits.org/environmental-efficiency/climate-action#:~:text=Sustainable%20aviation%20fuels%20have%20great,systems%20or%20engines%20of%20aircraft.">reduce CO2 emissions by 80%</a>&nbsp;compared with fossil fuels, without the need to radically change the fuel supply systems or engines of aircraft, presenting a mutually beneficial situation for environment, legislators, manufacturers and airlines in terms of compliance and cost.&nbsp;</p>
<h3><strong>2. Reducing Flight Times &nbsp;</strong></h3>
<p>The European Commission set new performance times for air journeys in 2019 with the aim of increasing efficiencies and decreasing pollution through shorter flight times. The EU Transport Commission&nbsp;<a href="https://ec.europa.eu/transport/modes/air/news/2019-05-29-targets-improve-air-traffic_en">advises</a>, &lsquo;The average actual distance flown by aircraft should be shortened by an additional 0.2 percentage point as compared to the target for 2019. This would improve flight efficiency, reducing fuel burn, and thus avoid a large amount of CO2 emissions per year.&rsquo;&nbsp;</p>
<p><br>Shortening flying times by just one minute saves&nbsp;<a href="https://aviationbenefits.org/environmental-efficiency/climate-action#:~:text=Sustainable%20aviation%20fuels%20have%20great,systems%20or%20engines%20of%20aircraft.">at least 100kg</a>&nbsp;of CO2 per flight. Boeing are currently&nbsp;<a href="https://simpleflying.com/worlds-fastest-aircraft/">leading the way</a>&nbsp;with Research and Development, aiming to release the next fastest plane in the world before the end of 2024, and pursuing the ambitious mission of building planes that can travel from London to New York in under two hours. &nbsp;</p>
<h3><strong>3. Air Traffic Management Efficiencies&nbsp;</strong></h3>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>The Single European Sky (SES) concept, created to reform the continent&rsquo;s air traffic management systems using cross-country collaboration in an aim to increase capacity, safety, sustainability and efficiencies, has been hotly contested but now appears increasingly welcome. More flexible airspace management using combined efforts are aiming to help address the high numbers of flight delays: in June 2019&nbsp;<a href="https://flightchic.com/2019/12/07/europe-moves-towards-greener-skies-with-ses-regulation/">over 210,000 flights</a>&nbsp;(20% of all flights) were delayed, with delays lasing 17 minutes on average.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>
<p>As global passenger traffic is predicted to double in the next 20 years, to double by 2037, air traffic management efficiencies are vital to meeting passenger demand whilst minimising the environmental impact of a greater volume of flights. That will require the innovation of air navigation service providers, better communication between national jurisdictions, the integration of unmanned systems, infrastructure upgrades and the full digitisation of air traffic management. &nbsp;</p>
<p>IATA reports that the implementation of SES over the next 15 years could accommodate 50% more flights than the total number of air journeys operated in 2017, whilst simultaneously cutting a staggering 18 million tonnes of Europe&rsquo;s CO2 every year.&nbsp;</p>
<h3><strong>4. 3D Printing&nbsp;</strong><strong><br></strong></h3>
<p>Manufacturers such as Airbus and Boeing have&nbsp;<a href="https://blog.v-hr.com/blog/3d-printing-can-change-the-aviation-industry">already begun using 3D Printing</a>&nbsp;to create thousands of flying and non-flying parts. As some airplane parts can weigh up to a third less than traditional metal components, 3D technology could significantly reduce the weight of planes, requiring less fuel and therefore reducing pollution.&nbsp;</p>
<p>The rapid prototyping of 3D printing also means faster build and maintenance processes, creating further efficiencies, and significantly reducing waste. The reduction in error when designing and building parts also aids any necessary redesign, further reducing the volume wasted energy or materials, and delivering cost savings which could free up funds for environmental and further efficiency investment.&nbsp;</p>
<h3><strong>5. Green Planes&nbsp;</strong></h3>
<p>Following the revolutionary technological advancements of the Automotive and Engineering industries, which have seen such innovation as electric and autonomous vehicles and robotic design and manufacturing using Artificial Intelligence (AI), the&nbsp;Aerospace&nbsp;&amp; Aviation industry has been investing into the research and testing of new technologies to solve the sustainability challenge.&nbsp;</p>
<p>After displaying the new model at the Paris Air Show in June 2019, the world&rsquo;s first all-electric commuter aircraft is set to launch later in 2020. Returning from a difficult start to the year, which saw implementation delayed due to the Covid-19 pandemic restrictions and the destruction of a prototype in a fire,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.eviation.co/">Eviation&rsquo;s Alice</a>&nbsp;aims to signal the aircraft evolution of the future with affordable, sustainable air travel for all. &nbsp;<br><br></p>
<p>The so-called &lsquo;green plane&rsquo; will run on an efficient power system run by a combination of batter and propellers that reduce noise and fuel pollution, and utilises a streamlined supply chain that reduces waste. The smaller design empowers the aircraft with aerodynamic flight and fast speeds across 1,000km distances.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Earlier this year, Automotive giants Rolls Royce&nbsp;<a href="https://www.aerospacetestinginternational.com/news/electric-hybrid/rolls-royce-reveals-300mph-electric-aircraft.html">released the first model</a>&nbsp;from their ACCEL (Accelerating the Electrification of Flight) Project which aimed to build the fastest electric plane in history.&nbsp;Rolls Royce partnered Motorsport innovators Formula E to design the plane&rsquo;s advanced 6,000-cell yet featherlight battery, which is reported to be the most powerful and energy-dense battery ever used for an aircraft. The single seater aircraft should be able to reach speeds of 300 miles per hour (beating current records of 210mph) through an all-electric powertrain generating 750 volts and a propeller powered by three motors that generates 500 horsepower.&nbsp;</p>
<p><br>The 90% efficient plane will reduce fuel consumption and therefore pollution through shorter journeys, and the aircraft will generate its own data that can be analysed to further improve efficiencies and inform the next generation of green plane design. Rolls Royce are looking to incorporate electrical energy into their long-term strategy over the coming decades, and could pave the way for sustainable manufacturing and operations across the transport sectors.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Discover&nbsp;<a href="https://blog.v-hr.com/blog/4-award-winning-aviation-companies-the-story-of-their-successes">4 Award-Winning Airlines and Airports and the Stories Behind Their Success</a>. &nbsp;</p>
<p>&nbsp;Find out more about our&nbsp;<a href="https://www.v-hr.com/about-us/">specialist Aviation recruitment services</a>.</p>

How Airlines Can Meet Sustainability Targets

<p>Following the devastating impact of Covid-19 upon the entire world and the majority of its industries and communities, the job market is predicted to become even more competitive. The coronavirus has seen millions of staff receive redundancies or lose employment contracts, and the UK particularly is expecting one of the worst periods of unemployment &ndash; during one of the worst economic recessions &ndash; in the past century.</p>
<p>Amongst the doom and gloom, many individuals are now reassessing what they most want from their lives. A new career path could provide the answer to more stability, a more exciting day-to-day job or simply a better quality of life &ndash; but with so many options available, how can you choose which vocation is right for you?</p>
<p>Here are five myths about working in the Aerospace &amp; Aviation industry, and five facts to set the record straight.</p>
<h3><strong>1. Myth: It&rsquo;s Too Competitive</strong></h3>
<p>Fact: The sector is suffering one of the world&rsquo;s most urgent skills shortages.</p>
<p>The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.boeing.com/commercial/market/commercial-market-outlook/">latest predictions</a>&nbsp;from leading aircraft manufacturer Boeing forecast that the demand for pilots around the world will double in the next seven years alone. In the next 20 years, airlines will need to recruit and train 800,000 new commercial pilots for passenger planes and 98,000 new pilots for private jets.</p>
<p>The skills shortage also extends to the international Maintenance, Repair and Operations (MRO), which is already experiencing a significant reduction in the hiring of new technicians. More than 2 in 5 (42%) of Aerospace &amp; Aviation leaders say a labour shortage in the maintenance technician field is the most important business problem &ndash; ahead of Brexit, climate change and airport capacity &ndash; in the next decade.</p>
<p>Whilst an unprecedented challenge for industry CEOs, the shortage of talent presents an excellent opportunity for prospective employees. Recruiters and hiring managers are already looking to expand their sourcing and training programmes to incorporate a wider, younger and more diverse pool of talent than ever before.</p>
<h3><strong>2. Myth: You Need a University Degree</strong></h3>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>Fact: You can join the sector at any stage of your career path.</p>
<p>A popular belief surrounding the industry is that unless you choose and commit to a specific career path at a very young age, you will be locked out of many professional avenues forever. With the Aerospace industry, this is surprisingly not the case. Despite a focus on science, mathematics, technology and engineering, the sector is increasingly welcoming individuals without these skills and training them up themselves instead.</p>
<p>Apprenticeships in the industry are fast becoming a new industry standard &ndash; even pilot apprenticeships are available for people of any age and background. Major international airlines like Virgin Atlantic, British Airways, easyJet and TUI are already offering accessible training programmes for those at any age, either at entry level or requiring A Levels or equivalent. Large carrier Qantas is investing $15million into a pilot school, and Emirates has already opened a $135million flight academy, with many other airlines starting to develop their own training programmes that do not require degrees, A Levels, GCSEs or technical qualifications.</p>
<p>Some jobs require specific qualifications and course attainment for safety, which must be regularly updated. These are usually at a low cost which are sponsored by individual employers and take a very small investment of time. Courses such as Electrical Wiring Interconnect Systems (EWIS), Human Factors, Airside Safety and Fuel Tank Safety can all be&nbsp;<a href="https://vhr.learnupon.com/store?page=1">completed online</a>&nbsp;at a time to suit you.</p>
<h3><strong>3. Myth: Your Career Choices are Limited</strong></h3>
<p>Fact: There are a wealth of careers in the industry.</p>
<p>Working in Aerospace isn&rsquo;t a binary choice between pilots and airport staff. The sector is one of the most diverse in terms of the options available to individuals based on their knowledge, skill set, experience and personality. From flying planes to fixing them, from designing new aircraft and crafting airport architecture, to managing global projects and creating websites and social media campaigns, to training and leading large teams of people, the field truly offers something for everyone.</p>
<p>The vast array of jobs in the sector includes, but is not limited to:</p>
<ul>
<li>Production &amp; Manufacturing</li>
<li>Project Management</li>
<li>Avionics &amp; Engineering</li>
<li>Mechanics &amp; Maintenance</li>
<li>Architecture &amp; Design</li>
<li>Safety &amp; Damage Tolerance</li>
<li>Operations</li>
<li>Sales &amp; Marketing</li>
<li>Ground Support</li>
<li>Procurement</li>
<li>Captains &amp; First Officers</li>
<li>Instructors</li>
<li>Professional &amp; Management</li>
<li>Chief Executives.</li>
</ul>
<p>Like many other industries, successful Aviation careers are often built from softer skills rather than technical abilities. Business leaders and recruiters are always on the lookout for potential talent with skills in communication, negotiation, relationship-building and leadership. The ability to work effectively under high-pressure situations and collaborate with people from all ages and backgrounds will ensure a wide range of career choices of anyone in the industry.</p>
<h3><strong>4. Myth: It&rsquo;s Less Exciting than Other Engineering Sectors</strong></h3>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>Fact: There has never been a more exciting time to join the industry.</p>
<p>With a technological revolution happening all around us, individuals could be forgiven for thinking that well-known tech and engineering companies like Google and Apple are the most interesting places to work. However, whereas major players on the world&rsquo;s tech stage have already enjoyed their own rapid evolution in the past decade, the Aviation industry is just starting out on its own journey.</p>
<p>The sector is fast investing in the following areas:</p>
<ul>
<li>Embracing Artificial Intelligence (AI) &ndash; Smart planes, autonomous and pilot-less airlines, robotics replacing human interactions and increasing safety at airports and onboard</li>
<li>Fighting Climate Change &ndash; Developing innovative biofuels, green planes, sustainable materials and introducing efficiencies in air traffic control to dramatically reduce carbon footprints and reverse the industry&rsquo;s environmental impact</li>
<li>Working Collaboratively &ndash; Forming close partnerships with organisations and industry bodies around the world to create new solutions to decades-old challenges</li>
<li>Modernising Flying Experiences &ndash; Updating architecture and airport design to improve health and wellbeing, placing mindfulness and psychology at the heart of Aviation whilst facilitating social distancing to protect passengers in pandemics</li>
<li>Changing Flight Forever &ndash; Creating faster, more efficient airplanes that can fly around the world in only a few hours, connecting people around the world like never before.</li>
</ul>
<p>Those joining the industry can get straight to work on innovating completely new ideas that will rapidly advance technology and ways of living and working in the next decade, meaning that an Aerospace career will not only provide an exciting day-to-day job and lifelong career but also cement your place in history.</p>
<h3><strong>5. Myth: It Only Suits a Specific Type of Person</strong></h3>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>Fact: The industry is increasingly looking to recruit more diverse people than ever before.</p>
<p>The International Society of Women Airline Pilots reports that&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/bishopjordan/2018/09/12/female-pilots-india/#55772c23469d">only 5% of pilots</a>&nbsp;worldwide are female, and women are significantly underrepresented in the sector. Diversity is also incredibly low in the sector&rsquo;s engineering and technical workforce: just 9% of the UK&rsquo;s engineers are women, and despite encompassing over 14% of the UK&rsquo;s population, only 6% of UK engineers are from BAME (Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic) backgrounds.</p>
<p>However, many Aviation leaders are passionately committed to improving diversity and inclusion. Most Airlines and MROs are actively looking to hire and recruit female, ethnic minority and other diverse individuals as an answer to the skills shortage, and have set their own ambitious targets to make their companies and the entire industry more diverse and representative of society.</p>
<p>The sector&rsquo;s unique ways of working are also beneficial for working parents or those with carer responsibilities, and can benefit those with loved ones located in other countries. With different shift patterns across the sector, you can choose your own working pattern, and change the days and hours of your work schedule from one week to the next. Many employers offer a one-week on, one-week off rota to allow plenty of time to travel, visit family and pursue other interests throughout their contract. Contract work can vary from a few weeks to many months or even a couple of years, and permanent or longer-term work is also readily available. A career in this industry can fit around your life and what matters most to you.</p>
<p>Decided that a dynamic career path is for you? Check out the&nbsp;<a href="https://blog.v-hr.com/blog/best-aerospace-companies-to-work-for-in-2019">Best Aerospace &amp; Aviation Companies to Work For</a>.</p>
<p>Apply for our latest&nbsp;<a href="https://blog.v-hr.com/engineering-jobs">technical and engineering jobs in Aviation</a>.</p>

Working in Aviation: 5 Myths and Facts

<p>In addition to the Covid-19 pandemic and rapid increase in demand for leisure and business flights over the past decade, the Aerospace &amp; Aviation sector is facing another critical issue: a lack of skills in the next generation of pilots, technicians and airline staff.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.boeing.com/commercial/market/commercial-market-outlook/">Boeing&rsquo;s 2019-2038 Outlook</a>&nbsp;forecasts that the global demand for pilots will double in the next seven years alone &ndash; 800,000 new pilots will be required by 2037 &ndash; with 98,000 new business aircraft pilots also needed over the next 20 years.</p>
<p>The global Maintenance, Repair and Operations (MRO) sector also faces dramatic a reduction in technicians. More than 2 in 5 (42%) of Aerospace &amp; Aviation leaders identify a labour shortage in the maintenance technician field as their most urgent business problem in the next few years.</p>
<p>With the sector forced to think creatively and innovate like never before, industry leaders are beginning to look to other technical and Engineering industries to access and build new talent. Here are five ways Aviation leaders are recruiting talent from other sectors.</p>
<h2>5 Ways to Recruit Skills from Other Industries into Aerospace</h2>
<h3><strong>1. Collaboration</strong></h3>
<p>Identifying transferable skills is usually an underrated but potentially revolutionary recruitment strategy. Those already trained in the following areas are well suited to a career in Aerospace:</p>
<ul>
<li>
<p>Automotive &ndash; Formula One pit crew and prototyping teams thrive in fast-paced environments where safety and performance must simultaneously be prioritised</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>Marine &ndash; Skills required for pilots and aircraft engineers are similar to those taught in the maritime industry</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>Engineering &ndash; From architecture and IT to quality assurance and supply chain operations, trained Engineers have a wealth of design and manufacturing skills</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>Energy &ndash; Building and maintaining wind turbines require similar abilities to the build and maintenance of aircraft, and the ability to think calmly under pressure and pinpoint focus in potentially hazardous situations well positions those working in Oil &amp; Gas and Nuclear Power for other vocations.</p>
</li>
</ul>
<p>The above sectors are all also facing their own skills shortages; instead of competing, the sectors can identify the types of talent they really need and work together to identify these early on and pass them to other sectors where they best fit. Collaborating with other industries with similar products, processes and environments means both parties will be facing many of the same challenges &ndash; such as automation, carbon efficiency targets and customer personalisation demand &ndash; enabling an understanding of the requirements of each business, and resulting in a mutually beneficial acquisition of skills for all involved.</p>
<h3><strong>2. Apprenticeships</strong></h3>
<p>Apprenticeships are not only a way to engage young people looking for their first role, but are also an innovative route into finding and securing talent from other industries. In today&rsquo;s economy with over 200 applicants on average for every job role, and particularly in the aftermath of the Covid-19 crisis, many individuals will be evaluating their lives and wanting to pursue their passion &ndash; without investing much-needed money into University degrees or lengthy courses. Skilled engineers, technicians and skilled staff from other industries can begin an Aviation apprenticeship which fully utilises their existing skillset and experience &ndash; giving them an advantage over younger Apprentices &ndash; whilst providing them with a starting salary and structured financial package.</p>
<p>Pilot apprenticeships have been increasing in popularity in recent years and proving particularly successful with applicants older than the usual teenage Apprentices, who have previous experience in demanding STEM career paths. Virgin Atlantic, British Airways, easyJet and TUI operate accessible training programmes for those at any age, either at entry level or requiring A Levels or equivalent. Qantas is investing $15million into a pilot school, and Emirates has already opened a $135million flight academy to train the next generation, evidencing the appetite for Aerospace Apprentices and their success so far in building talent.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h3><strong>3. Innovative Marketing</strong></h3>
<p>The solution to the skills shortage lies in redefining the way that businesses recruit and attract potential talent. A lack of awareness in skilled individuals of all ages and backgrounds is preventing potential talent from truly understanding what an Aviation career path offers &ndash; but innovative marketing can change this.</p>
<p>The next decade looks set to be one of the most exciting in history for the sector. Business leaders and marketing departments can develop a recruitment campaign that focuses on the future-focused nature of the industry and the innovative projects that new hires would become involved with, such as:</p>
<ul>
<li>Artificial Intelligence (AI) &ndash; Smart planes, autonomous and pilot-less carriers, robotics replacing human interactions and increasing safety</li>
<li>Environmental Advances &ndash; Biofuels, green planes, sustainable materials projects and transforming air traffic control</li>
<li>Collaboration &ndash; Partnering and communicating with organisations and industry bodies around the world to combat international challenges and drive creative solutions</li>
<li>Modernising Flying Experiences &ndash; Updating architecture and airport design to improve health and wellbeing, placing mindfulness and psychology at the heart of Aviation whilst facilitating social distancing to protect passengers in pandemics</li>
<li>Changing Flight Forever &ndash; Creating faster, more efficient and more effective planes that can fly around the world in only a few hours.</li>
</ul>
<p>Directly involving individual prospective employees and positioning them at the heart of the success of the Aviation industry is the best way to attract, fully engage and inspire skilled talent.</p>
<p>Industry leaders can appeal directly to the motivations and career desires of skilled individuals in other sectors by promoting their recruitment campaigns across not only their websites and social media channels, but also in the places where passive candidates are: industry websites, blogs and publications relevant to their own sector, online discussion communities such as Reddit and LinkedIn and Facebook groups that correspond to their current job titles.</p>
<p>Tailoring your recruitment marketing to different groups can deliver a much more personalised candidate experience, attracting and engaging potential talent with a message that an Aviation career is well suited to their lifestyles and career goals and can deliver the rewards, experiences and benefits they most value. Whilst the current young demographic, Generation Z, value financial independence, travel, learning new skills and having new experiences, older generations who are already skilled workers in another industry will have different interests. Millennials are also a socially conscious generation that want a potential employer&rsquo;s values to match their own, which companies can tap into by promoting environmental investment and corporate social responsibility and charity programmes. Generation X are more interested in stable employment and financial and career growth, meaning promoting pension, bonus and reward schemes, in addition to career development, can attract talent in this demographic.</p>
<h3><strong>4. Schools</strong></h3>
<p>Recruiting from an early age enables the acquiring of talent from other industries before they have a chance to access the same talent pools. Those who work in Aviation know that the industry offers a vast variety of exciting career opportunities &ndash; but many of the next generation are completely unaware that these careers exist.</p>
<p>In a globally connected world where students are bombarded with choices and expected to make life-changing decisions from an early age, the technical industries need to shout louder to reach potential engineers and technicians before they are lost to the sector.</p>
<p>The Aerospace &amp; Aviation industry can plant the seeds of new career choices by visiting schools in person and developing partnerships with education bodies to benefit students, schools, colleges and businesses. By coming face-to-face with pilots, technicians, designers and airline crew, students can not only derive first-hand insight in an invaluable learning experience, but budding talent pools can also get the answers to questions about uncertainties which may have previously discouraged them from venturing further towards the sector.</p>
<p>Involvement in primary schools and youth groups can facilitate industry representatives in speaking about the benefits of their career, not only of working for airlines and MROs but in being part of the incredible things that they do and the amazing experiences they create. Industry leaders and new Aviation Academies can tackle the aviation skills shortage by promoting the importance of engineers and technicians to the history and future of our globalised and technologically advanced world.</p>
<p>Partnering with schools, colleges and universities to better market industry careers, communicating directly with young people themselves and using these insights to inform recruitment strategies are the beginning of the solution to the skills shortage.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h3><strong>5. Inclusive Employer Brands</strong></h3>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>The International Society of Women Airline Pilots reports that only 5% of pilots worldwide are female &ndash; meaning that female representation in the industry has grown by a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/bishopjordan/2018/09/12/female-pilots-india/#eb43ec4469dc">shockingly low</a>&nbsp;1.5% since 1960. However, diversity is also incredibly low in other sectors where industry leaders may find transferable skills. Just 9% of the UK&rsquo;s engineering workforce is female, and despite encompassing over 14% of the UK&rsquo;s population, only 6% of UK engineers across the industrial sectors are from BAME (Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic) backgrounds. The lack of diverse representation in the technical industries suggests a less than positive experience for many diverse individuals working in these sectors &ndash; Aviation leaders can identify those skilled engineers unhappy in their jobs and engage them to transfer across to the sector.</p>
<p>Attracting and gaining the confidence of diverse talent can be as simple as adding your voice to the support of diverse communities or as broad-scale as creating your own global diverse networks. By sponsoring events centred around diversity in the technical sectors or adding the company logo to a Women in STEM website, industry leaders align their brand with the values of their diverse employee base to inspire and encourage minority groups looking to enter the field.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>Companies can also tap into their existing diverse employee base to find out how to build a truly inclusive and welcoming employer brand. Find out how the diverse engineers in your company really feel, and what they want and need from their employer. Speak to diverse groups across the sector at networking events and research studies online, to understand the policies and brand values that appeal to diverse engineers when job seeking.</p>
<p>Advertise in channels that you have not advertised in before but that attract and engage diverse audiences directly. For example, look at Facebook LinkedIn groups for BAME or LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender) engineers, message boards and popular blogs and YouTube channels aimed at people with disabilities who work within your industry. Gaining referrals from diverse employees in your business (who will be able to recommend your business as a good employer who values diverse groups). Team up with a well-known union or network for diverse groups to advertise, speak to and engage with their thousands of diverse members.</p>
<h3>Recruiting Technical Talent</h3>
<p>Partnering with a recruitment company that specialises in Aerospace &amp; Aviation jobs can offer unique insight into the wants, needs and situations of potential talent, and help your business create a bespoke plan to reach new talent pools.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>Find out more about&nbsp;<a href="https://www.v-hr.com/about-us/">VHR&rsquo;s Aviation recruitment services</a>.</p>

Solving the Aerospace Skills Shortage by Recruiting from Other Industries

<p>During the unprecedented pandemic that has caused difficulties to individuals and businesses around the globe, Aviation businesses have been innovating, diversifying and continuing to work hard to prosper through the uncertainty &ndash; and many have received official recognition.</p>
<p>As Covid-19 devastated businesses, individuals and communities around the world, the Aviation sector was disproportionately affected as a global industry. Country-wide lockdowns and numerous flight bans on domestic and international travel saw around half of the planet&rsquo;s entire fleet grounded for several months.</p>
<p>Airlines such as Flybe endured total collapse, carriers such as Ryanair and easyJet lost a significant portion of their total business value, and plans for growth, expansion and projects were halted indefinitely. Even as lockdown measures ease in many parts of the globe, holidaymakers and businesses travellers remain concerned about the safety of flying, signalling a longer journey back to work for the Aerospace and Aviation industry.</p>
<p>However, despite the obstacles and unknown challenges facing the industry, airlines, MROs and OEMs alike have embraced the new reality and persevered to achieve success. Here are four Aviation companies that have received official recognition for their success in recent weeks.</p>
<p><strong>4 Aerospace &amp; Aviation Providers Recently Recognised for Success</strong></p>
<ol>
<li><strong>VietJet Air &ndash; Best Company to Work For</strong></li>
</ol>
<p>On 14<sup>th</sup>&nbsp;July 2020 HR Asia released the Best Companies to Work For in Asia list. The list interviewed employees from hundreds of companies across China, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). International low-cost airline VietJet, which in 2019 enjoyed an increase of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/1901300/how-vietjet-is-overcoming-the-pandemic?utm_campaign=enewsletter%20regular&amp;utm_source=enewsletter_alert&amp;utm_medium=Business">21.4% in revenue</a>&nbsp;and 29.3% in profit before tax year-on-year, was included as a top Asia employer.</p>
<p>These Awards specifically analysed and celebrated the employee engagement, internal communications and employee welfare programmes of companies across industries throughout the coronavirus pandemic. &lsquo;The recipients of this year's Awards have shown that not only are you the best companies to work for in Asia, but more importantly, you are able to show empathy and genuine care for you employees during their darkest moments of fear and uncertainty,&rsquo;&nbsp;<a href="https://stockhouse.com/news/press-releases/2020/07/14/hr-asia-announces-best-companies-to-work-for-in-asia-from-vietnam">commented William Ng</a>, editor-in-chief of HR Asia publisher Business Media International.</p>
<p>The 2020 accolade marks the second consecutive annual win for VietJet. The organisation, which has 6,000 employees, scored highly on internal transparency, support for professional growth and development and providing a respectful environment. Luu Duc Khanh, Managing Director, credits the organisation&rsquo;s success to &lsquo;experienced leaders, high-quality and professional human resources&rsquo; and &lsquo;the solid foundation for the company's strong and sustainable development in the future&rsquo;.</p>
<p><img src="https://blog.v-hr.com/hs-fs/hubfs/the-plane-at-the-airport-3240997_1920.jpg?width=1920&amp;name=the-plane-at-the-airport-3240997_1920.jpg" sizes="(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px" srcset="https://blog.v-hr.com/hs-fs/hubfs/the-plane-at-the-airport-3240997_1920.jpg?width=960&amp;name=the-plane-at-the-airport-3240997_1920.jpg 960w, https://blog.v-hr.com/hs-fs/hubfs/the-plane-at-the-airport-3240997_1920.jpg?width=1920&amp;name=the-plane-at-the-airport-3240997_1920.jpg 1920w, https://blog.v-hr.com/hs-fs/hubfs/the-plane-at-the-airport-3240997_1920.jpg?width=2880&amp;name=the-plane-at-the-airport-3240997_1920.jpg 2880w, https://blog.v-hr.com/hs-fs/hubfs/the-plane-at-the-airport-3240997_1920.jpg?width=3840&amp;name=the-plane-at-the-airport-3240997_1920.jpg 3840w, https://blog.v-hr.com/hs-fs/hubfs/the-plane-at-the-airport-3240997_1920.jpg?width=4800&amp;name=the-plane-at-the-airport-3240997_1920.jpg 4800w, https://blog.v-hr.com/hs-fs/hubfs/the-plane-at-the-airport-3240997_1920.jpg?width=5760&amp;name=the-plane-at-the-airport-3240997_1920.jpg 5760w" alt="4 Award-Winning Aviation Companies &ndash; The Story of their Successes" width="1920"></p>
<ol start="2">
<li><strong>Republic of Singapore Air Force &ndash; Best Emergency Response</strong></li>
</ol>
<p>In June 2020, 143 Squadron was named the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/143-squadron-that-responded-to-sq423-bomb-threat-awarded-in-saf-best-unit-competition">Best Fighter Squadron</a>&nbsp;in the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) Best Unit Competition, chosen by the Ministry of Defence.</p>
<p>When a Singapore Airlines flight was faced with a bomb threat in March 2019, the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) intercepted the flight mid-air and using two F-16s escorted it to Changi Airport. Major Norman Teo, 36, commanding officer of 143 Squadron, described the incident as the "biggest test" of operational readiness.</p>
<p>The 50-year-old competition recognises units which have excelled in the areas of combat readiness, operational proficiency and administrative excellence. The squadron&rsquo;s unrivalled preparedness, including a variety of intense training and preparation exercises, delivered them to their second achievement in the Awards following their 2017 win.</p>
<ol start="3">
<li><strong>Tauranga Airport &ndash; Best Passenger Experience</strong></li>
</ol>
<p>The New Zealand airport has been applauded for its focus on architecture that improves the experience of customer travellers. Although a smaller hub when considering the mammoth Aerospace providers across the globe, the site is the busiest airport in the surrounding Bay of Plenty region in both passenger traffic and aircraft movements.</p>
<p>In the second quarter of the year, the airport received the&nbsp;<a href="https://sunlive.co.nz/news/237068-tauranga-airport-soars-above-all-others.html">Canstar Blue 2020 Most Satisfied Customers Award</a>&nbsp;for domestic airports. A 2019 major redevelopment doubled terminal size to increase space for a larger lounge, check-in areas and cafes, and reducing walking time from gates to planes. The airport has received a five-star rating for overall satisfaction, waiting areas and communication, as well as four stars for facilities, parking and ease of check-in.</p>
<p>In a double win, the 2020 Waikato/Bay of Plenty Architecture Awards also recognised Tauranga&rsquo;s design upgrade. The architecture Awards celebrated the creation of &lsquo;<a href="https://architecturenow.co.nz/articles/winners-revealed-2020-waikato-bay-of-plenty-architecture-awards/">a strong new identity for the region&rsquo;s airline gateway</a>&rsquo; which provides &lsquo;greater clarity, openness and ease of use.&rsquo;</p>
<p>Tauranga&rsquo;s CEO, Ray Dumble commented, &lsquo;We take great pride in putting our customers first, and to win this award during a year of major construction is testament to the effort our staff put into minimising disruption to travellers. The focus was to create a space that both customers and staff enjoyed, and this award is proof we have achieved that.&rsquo;</p>
<p><img src="https://blog.v-hr.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Stock%20images/Portrait%20of%20child%20with%20airplane%20traveling%20toy%20in%20double%20exposure-1.jpeg?width=1000&amp;name=Portrait%20of%20child%20with%20airplane%20traveling%20toy%20in%20double%20exposure-1.jpeg" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" srcset="https://blog.v-hr.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Stock%20images/Portrait%20of%20child%20with%20airplane%20traveling%20toy%20in%20double%20exposure-1.jpeg?width=500&amp;name=Portrait%20of%20child%20with%20airplane%20traveling%20toy%20in%20double%20exposure-1.jpeg 500w, https://blog.v-hr.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Stock%20images/Portrait%20of%20child%20with%20airplane%20traveling%20toy%20in%20double%20exposure-1.jpeg?width=1000&amp;name=Portrait%20of%20child%20with%20airplane%20traveling%20toy%20in%20double%20exposure-1.jpeg 1000w, https://blog.v-hr.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Stock%20images/Portrait%20of%20child%20with%20airplane%20traveling%20toy%20in%20double%20exposure-1.jpeg?width=1500&amp;name=Portrait%20of%20child%20with%20airplane%20traveling%20toy%20in%20double%20exposure-1.jpeg 1500w, https://blog.v-hr.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Stock%20images/Portrait%20of%20child%20with%20airplane%20traveling%20toy%20in%20double%20exposure-1.jpeg?width=2000&amp;name=Portrait%20of%20child%20with%20airplane%20traveling%20toy%20in%20double%20exposure-1.jpeg 2000w, https://blog.v-hr.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Stock%20images/Portrait%20of%20child%20with%20airplane%20traveling%20toy%20in%20double%20exposure-1.jpeg?width=2500&amp;name=Portrait%20of%20child%20with%20airplane%20traveling%20toy%20in%20double%20exposure-1.jpeg 2500w, https://blog.v-hr.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Stock%20images/Portrait%20of%20child%20with%20airplane%20traveling%20toy%20in%20double%20exposure-1.jpeg?width=3000&amp;name=Portrait%20of%20child%20with%20airplane%20traveling%20toy%20in%20double%20exposure-1.jpeg 3000w" alt="4 Best Aerospace &amp; Aviation Providers Recently Recognised for Success" width="1000"></p>
<ol start="4">
<li><strong>Singapore Airlines &ndash; Best International Airline</strong></li>
</ol>
<p>In July 2020, Singapore Airlines was named the world&rsquo;s favourite international carrier &ndash; for the 25<sup>th</sup>&nbsp;year in a row. Run by Travel + Leisure magazine, the World&rsquo;s Best Awards receive votes from 4.8 million readers on travel destinations, hotels, cruise lines, airports and airlines.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.travelandleisure.com/worlds-best/singapore-airlines-best-international-airline-25-years">Comments from Travel &amp; Leisure readers</a>&nbsp;include:</p>
<ul>
<li>&lsquo;Excellent customer service that starts [at] the airport all the way to final destination. Definitely will be traveling with them in future.&rsquo;</li>
<li>&lsquo;Singapore wrote the book on excellence in flying.&rsquo;</li>
<li>&lsquo;There's a reason this is always at the top of the list. They just do it right.&rsquo;</li>
<li>&lsquo;What deluxe treatment! I hate to get off the plane.&rsquo;</li>
</ul>
<p>The carrier&rsquo;s in-flight cuisine is famed for its&nbsp;<a href="https://www.travelandleisure.com/airlines-airports/urban-vertical-farm-newark-singapore-airlines">fresh, healthy and delicious meals</a>&nbsp;cultivated in sustainable, environmentally friendly farms. Comfort is also prioritised by the Singapore carrier, with luxurious suites complemented by top-of-the-range air conditioning, climate and humidity control and services such as inflight yoga.</p>
<p>The successes of airlines, airports, squadrons and Aerospace providers are testament to the industry&rsquo;s resilience in the face of a crisis, and signal an anticipated return to business as normal &ndash; or event, in many aspects, for the better &ndash; in the coming months.</p>
<p>Discover&nbsp;<a href="https://blog.v-hr.com/blog/how-airlines-are-getting-back-to-business-after-covid-19">How Airlines are Getting Back to Business After Covid-19</a>.</p>
<p>Is your business recruiting essential staff? Find out more about&nbsp;<a href="https://www.v-hr.com/about-us/">VHR&rsquo;s award-winning recruitment services</a>.</p>

4 Award-Winning Aviation Companies – The Story of their Successes

<p>As Covid-19 devastates individuals and industries across the globe, the Aerospace &amp; Aviation sector continues to suffer.</p>
<p>Flight bans in lockdown countries and cancelled trips from concerned customers in others have already impacted the world&rsquo;s airlines and will have a knock-on effect on MROs, OEMs and Aerospace suppliers. In the first few weeks of the pandemic, carriers Ryanair and easyJet and Ryanair lost around 30% and 22% of respective business value, and Flybe went into administration. More than half of commercial fleets around the world were grounded, leaving almost 20,000 airplanes on the tarmac or in hangars for months. The sector has been forced to discuss and implement pay cuts for pilots, crew, technicians and managers, announce fleet reductions and made mass redundancies.</p>
<p>However, the coronavirus pandemic is not the first major challenge that has faced the Aerospace and Aviation industry in recent years. The 9/11 terrorist attacks saw a plethora of security measures introduced around the world at an urgent speed, resulting increased security and positive change across the industry. The 2008 economic recession started the groundwork for mergers and acquisitions that saved companies and provided fresh competition for major players, and technological advancements have combined with globalisation to find new ways of addressing diminishing airport capacity and increased customer demand.</p>
<p>Here are five ways that the Aviation industry are getting planes back in the skies by protecting passengers, employees and business continuity.</p>
<h3><strong>1. Streamlining Services</strong></h3>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>Customers will see streamlined services whilst on board and in airports. Whilst in the air, many carriers are limiting their food and drink services to a reduced menu or stopping food, drink and duty free services altogether to limit the risk of illness spreading between passengers and crew. Short-haul flights under a couple of hours could see toilet facilities out of action to further assist social distancing. Business class travellers could also see packages change to reduce access to lounges and instead focus more on points benefits or additional discounts on hotels.</p>
<p>Although these changes may seem to run in direct opposition to previously&nbsp;<a href="https://blog.v-hr.com/blog/global-aviation-challenges-market-predictions-report-2020">predicted trends for the Aviation industry</a>&nbsp;for the coming years, the restrictions could present a blessing in disguise. Cost reduction and flight route concentration enables carriers to focus only on products and services that passengers really want, and to invest in improving these areas for the benefit of businesses and customers. Streamlined Aviation services mean passengers are better supported with technology, providing a faster and more efficient service, and can rest assured that their safety is prioritised every time they fly.</p>
<p><img src="https://blog.v-hr.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Stock%20images/Active%20two%20kids%20jumping%20while%20the%20airplane%20landing%20in%20air.jpeg?width=1000&amp;name=Active%20two%20kids%20jumping%20while%20the%20airplane%20landing%20in%20air.jpeg" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" srcset="https://blog.v-hr.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Stock%20images/Active%20two%20kids%20jumping%20while%20the%20airplane%20landing%20in%20air.jpeg?width=500&amp;name=Active%20two%20kids%20jumping%20while%20the%20airplane%20landing%20in%20air.jpeg 500w, https://blog.v-hr.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Stock%20images/Active%20two%20kids%20jumping%20while%20the%20airplane%20landing%20in%20air.jpeg?width=1000&amp;name=Active%20two%20kids%20jumping%20while%20the%20airplane%20landing%20in%20air.jpeg 1000w, https://blog.v-hr.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Stock%20images/Active%20two%20kids%20jumping%20while%20the%20airplane%20landing%20in%20air.jpeg?width=1500&amp;name=Active%20two%20kids%20jumping%20while%20the%20airplane%20landing%20in%20air.jpeg 1500w, https://blog.v-hr.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Stock%20images/Active%20two%20kids%20jumping%20while%20the%20airplane%20landing%20in%20air.jpeg?width=2000&amp;name=Active%20two%20kids%20jumping%20while%20the%20airplane%20landing%20in%20air.jpeg 2000w, https://blog.v-hr.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Stock%20images/Active%20two%20kids%20jumping%20while%20the%20airplane%20landing%20in%20air.jpeg?width=2500&amp;name=Active%20two%20kids%20jumping%20while%20the%20airplane%20landing%20in%20air.jpeg 2500w, https://blog.v-hr.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Stock%20images/Active%20two%20kids%20jumping%20while%20the%20airplane%20landing%20in%20air.jpeg?width=3000&amp;name=Active%20two%20kids%20jumping%20while%20the%20airplane%20landing%20in%20air.jpeg 3000w" alt="HOW AIRLINES ARE GETTING BACK TO BUSINESS AFTER CORONAVIRUS" width="1000"></p>
<h3><strong>2. Innovative Technology</strong></h3>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>Every crisis provides an opportunity for innovation and discoveries of working in better ways for all involved. To fight against the spread of coronavirus, line maintenance organisation Luftavia have released&nbsp;<a href="https://blog.v-hr.com/blog/how-luftavia-are-supporting-aircraft-manufacturing-during-covid-19">electro-static technology equipment</a>&nbsp;that provides lightweight decontamination equipment for aircraft.</p>
<p>Following speedy research and significant investment, Luftavia&rsquo;s technology can decontaminate a wide-body aircraft cabin in under half an hour. The convenient hand-held battery-powered guns don&rsquo;t disrupt other ground-handling services, and are easy to transport and use across different aircraft and worksites, inside and outside of cabins, galleys and hangers. Since March 2020, the antiviral sanitisation tool has been approved and rolled to several US airlines and multiple ground handling cleaning organisations internationally.</p>
<p>Luftavia&rsquo;s new technology arrives at a welcome time for the industry. Hygiene and therefore decontamination have become urgent areas of concern for sector workers, crew, pilots and travellers. The US Government is under pressure to introduce disease prevention legislation after 300 pilots tested positive for the virus, and many airline employees internationally have been concerned around the use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). American airline Delta&nbsp;<a href="https://www.rollcall.com/2020/05/13/pilots-demand-recommended-covid-19-protocols-be-required/">recently confirmed</a>&nbsp;that most United States-based carriers have implemented a plethora of new cleaning and safety measures that &lsquo;not only meet but exceed CDC guidelines&rsquo;, including sanitising flights.</p>
<p>Luftavia&rsquo;s product development, and the fast-thinking and adaptability of many other Aerospace providers, presents the opportunity for increased collaboration and innovation across the industry. By harnessing the unprecedented situation to take a step back and assess rapidly changed market needs and problems, airlines, manufacturers and suppliers can utilise research and technology developments to work much more closely together for the protection and growth of the industry<strong>.</strong></p>
<h3><strong>3. Reducing Flights &amp; Passenger Numbers</strong></h3>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>Airlines around the world have begun to streamline their routes and journey offerings. Air New Zealand and Singapore Airlines were recently asked by the NZ Government to manage international bookings to ensure quarantine facilities are not overwhelmed. For the next few months, and potentially longer pending the status of pandemics across the globe, air journeys will be restricted to control the increasing flow of people wanting to return home to escape the worsening coronavirus pandemic. Services may affect travellers across New Zealand, Australia, China, Hong Kong and America.</p>
<p>Megan Woods, the New Zealand Government&rsquo;s minister managing isolation and quarantine, said that anyone who had already bought a ticket to fly back to New Zealand in the next three weeks would still be able to fly. &lsquo;However, Kiwis who did not already have tickets would not be able to book flights in the next three weeks,&rsquo;&nbsp;<a href="https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/industries/122055339/air-nz-singapore-airlines-restrict-passenger-numbers-to-nz-as-more-kiwis-fly-home-to-escape-covid">Woods said</a>. &lsquo;We won&rsquo;t let our border facilities reach maximum capacity.&rsquo;</p>
<p>Whilst the quarantine measures are currently only temporary, few businesses across industries will escape permanent disruption to their services, and the Aerospace &amp; Aviation sector will be no different. The demise of carriers such as Flybe means reduced competition and a smaller number of choices of airline for passengers. Choice will be further restricted by destinations, routes, dates, times and types of service: surviving airlines will only be able to undertake flights that are financially profitable, meaning that the most popular routes and destinations will dominate.</p>
<p>In America alone, US carrier Delta is reducing international flights by 25% and domestic journeys by 15%, American Airlines will reduce its summer international flying by 10%, and&nbsp;<a href="https://news.northeastern.edu/2020/03/12/airlines-will-bounce-back-from-the-covid-19-pandemic-how-long-that-will-take-is-up-in-the-air/">similar measures</a>&nbsp;were announced by United Airlines and JetBlue. Flight frequency will also be reduced to fill as many seats per plane as possible, which could see the end of the low-cost seats fliers have been able to enjoy for the past few years. &lsquo;Fewer seats flying means fewer cheap seats at the margin,&rsquo; comments Aviation specialist&nbsp;<a href="https://edition.cnn.com/2020/04/01/business/airline-industry-outlook/index.html">Philip Baggaley</a>&nbsp;at S&amp;P Global.</p>
<p><img src="https://blog.v-hr.com/hs-fs/hubfs/gray-plane-wing-62623.jpg?width=5184&amp;name=gray-plane-wing-62623.jpg" sizes="(max-width: 5184px) 100vw, 5184px" srcset="https://blog.v-hr.com/hs-fs/hubfs/gray-plane-wing-62623.jpg?width=2592&amp;name=gray-plane-wing-62623.jpg 2592w, https://blog.v-hr.com/hs-fs/hubfs/gray-plane-wing-62623.jpg?width=5184&amp;name=gray-plane-wing-62623.jpg 5184w, https://blog.v-hr.com/hs-fs/hubfs/gray-plane-wing-62623.jpg?width=7776&amp;name=gray-plane-wing-62623.jpg 7776w, https://blog.v-hr.com/hs-fs/hubfs/gray-plane-wing-62623.jpg?width=10368&amp;name=gray-plane-wing-62623.jpg 10368w, https://blog.v-hr.com/hs-fs/hubfs/gray-plane-wing-62623.jpg?width=12960&amp;name=gray-plane-wing-62623.jpg 12960w, https://blog.v-hr.com/hs-fs/hubfs/gray-plane-wing-62623.jpg?width=15552&amp;name=gray-plane-wing-62623.jpg 15552w" alt="Here are five ways that the Aviation industry are getting planes back in the skies by protecting passengers, employees and business continuity." width="5184"></p>
<h3><strong>4. Changing Passenger Behaviour</strong></h3>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>Many carriers have already got back to business by implementing social distancing measures on board and before and after flights. Lufthansa is enforcing&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-52441652">empty middle seats</a>&nbsp;to facilitate social distancing between fliers, and other providers such as easyJet have committed to following suit. &nbsp;All major U.S. carriers require passengers to wear masks onboard to limit disease transmission. American Airlines<a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2020/07/01/blocking-middle-seats-on-planes-is-a-pr-strategy-not-a-safety-strategy-united-says.html">&nbsp;states</a>, &lsquo;We have multiple layers of protection in place for those who fly with us, including required face coverings, enhanced cleaning procedures, and a pre-flight COVID-19 symptom checklist &mdash; and we&rsquo;re providing additional flexibility for customers to change their travel plans, as well.&rdquo;&rsquo;</p>
<p>As the UK&rsquo;s Manchester Airport reopens several of its terminals, business travellers and holidaymakers&nbsp;<a href="https://aboutmanchester.co.uk/manchester-airport-to-open-terminal-two-on-the-15th-july-as-flights-increase-and-airlines-resume-services/">will now be greeted</a>&nbsp;by Perspex screens, bookable security slots and temperature checks. The airport has strategically redesigned its checking in, lounge and onboarding environments so that customers can go directly to security points and gates, and the airport&rsquo;s new communication campaign helps passengers plan and prepare for their travel ahead of time.</p>
<p>All airlines around the world have begun to adapt their services to make flying safer for passengers, with&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/michaelgoldstein/2020/05/15/are-airlines-actually-doing-a-good-job-keeping-passengers-safe-during-the-pandemic/#27f652a0130f">recent measures</a>&nbsp;including:</p>
<ul>
<li>Etihad Airways is testing passenger screening kiosks to help identify asymptomatic and pre-symptomatic travellers at the early phases of infection</li>
<li>Korean Air has implemented temperature checks for all passengers boarding aircraft at Seoul Incheon Airport</li>
<li>Cathay Pacific has provided hand sanitizing stations</li>
<li>United have rolled out more intensive cleaning of aircraft using electrostatic spraying, social distancing and touchless kiosks during the boarding process and the use of face masks</li>
<li>Emirates introduced personal protective equipment (PPE) as a type of new inflight uniform to protect pilots and crew, and is prohibiting large carry-on bags to reduce congestion in the aisles while boarding and departing</li>
<li>Xiamen Airlines is utilising an inflight separation zone for ill or potentially ill passengers</li>
<li>Southwest Airlines are planning the mandatory use of face masks and health screenings.</li>
</ul>
<p>To evidence their support for the health and safety of passengers, airlines and airports are readily committing to flight bans or fines for any travellers who do not comply with the regulations.</p>
<p>As the wave of adaptations begin to change the Aerospace &amp; Aviation industry, passengers can be reassured that, despite inconveniences and potential disruption, their health and safety is of paramount importance to the sector. The enforced concentration and diversification could signal a new era for better collaboration and customer experience, for the benefit of business leaders, workers and travellers around the world.</p>
<p>Discover&nbsp;<a href="https://blog.v-hr.com/blog/5-positive-ways-the-workforce-will-change-after-coronavirus">the 5 Positive Ways the Workforce Will Change After Coronavirus</a>.</p>
<p>Is your employee base returning to work<a href="https://www.v-hr.com/social-distancing-equipment">? Find out how social distancing equipment keeps offices and worksites safe</a>.</p>

How Airlines are Getting Back to Business After Covid-19

<p>At the Dubai Air Show 2019, VHR&rsquo;s team are meeting business leaders and industry pioneers. Mid-week, our recruiters caught up with a fighter jet pilot.</p>
<p>Here VHR interviews Charlie Hallum on what he does every day, the highlights of his Aviation career and his advice for those wanting to follow in his footsteps.</p>
<p><strong>Describe a Day in the Life of a Fighter Jet Pilot</strong></p>
<p>&lsquo;I live and work in the USA. On the ship we operate with night currency and work to an unusual time schedule: from 4am to 12pm, with a night landing every 7 days, for safety reasons.</p>
<p>&lsquo;Before our flights, we plan each mission and have a flight brief that lasts around 30-40 minutes. We then put on our flight gear and start flying. There are a number of launches and recoveries throughout the day 1:15 mins or 1:30 but dependent on mission can last up to 7 hours. Debrief then happens - what happened what should have happened how you can improve.</p>
<p>&lsquo;After flying, our time is our own. Some of us have additional ground jobs on the ship, such as Safety Officers, because only a certain number of people are allowed on the ship at any one time. In our free time we study, sleep and use the gym around set mealtimes all together.&rsquo;</p>
<p><strong>What Training is Needed to Fly in the Navy?</strong></p>
<p>&lsquo;You must qualify as an Officer after an extensive training process. I graduated from University and flight school, and then went through a timeline of learning increasingly complex aircraft &ndash; trainees usually go from propeller to jet trainer. Squadron training teaches you the aircraft you have to fly, and then a front-line squadron enables you to be deployed on an aircraft carrier.</p>
<p>&lsquo;Fitness testing is tough, and it&rsquo;s meant to be: to fight another aircraft one-on-one, you need to be in good shape and able to withstand G-Force as well as adrenaline and many other environmental factors. Physical fitness can be the difference between winning and losing.&rsquo;</p>
<p><strong>How Has Your Role Changed Since You Started?</strong></p>
<p>&lsquo;The more senior you become, the more responsibility you have. To enable everyone to learn as much as they can, as fast and effectively as possible, there is a constant turnover of people in ground roles to experience every aspect of Military Aviation.</p>
<p>&lsquo;Now I&rsquo;m an instructor teaching people how to fly. I have to be aware of more and more complicated tactics, as the threats against us are becoming increasingly complicated. Technology and aircraft systems are advancing so fast and enabling more sophisticated and more challenging threats.&rsquo;</p>
<p><strong>What Has Been the Best Moment of Your Career So Far?</strong></p>
<p>&lsquo;My best moment was the whole process of getting accepted to top gun and training to be an instructor. I love teaching new recruits and seeing them grow into excellent pilots.&rsquo;</p>
<p><strong>How Is Your Career Different to Your Expectations?</strong></p>
<p>&lsquo;I didn&rsquo;t expect the collaborative style of learning &ndash; the squad that teach and learn from each other develop together. Going through deployment on aircrafts is eye-opening &ndash; I am currently experiencing the longest nuclear carrier deployment ever and potentially the longest carrier ever. On my second deployment, I can see people on their first deployment feel cut off and disconnected from the world like I did.</p>
<p>&lsquo;I also didn&rsquo;t expect rubbish Internet signal everywhere! We have very weak connection so have to use dial-up Internet.&rsquo;</p>
<p><strong>Are You Impacted by the Pilot Shortage, And What Do You Think is the Solution?</strong></p>
<p>&lsquo;Even if there are fewer heads available, we are still tasked with the same amount of work. The skills shortage is making us a lot busier. At first, we were 15 and now we are down to thirteen &ndash; once colleagues come up to a three-year point, they often feel the need to move on and progress in career.</p>
<p>&lsquo;The shortage of skills around the world has given me greater opportunities inside and outside of the Military. I would recommend trainees start through the Military: it pushes you to be a better pilot with training you couldn&rsquo;t benefit from otherwise.</p>
<p>&lsquo;I think a major reason behind the shortage is the high cost involved to get started in your career. New recruits used to be able to go to local airports to fly small planes, but they now have to pay larger costs to do this. Airlines are also requiring a higher number of flying hours before interested candidates can even submit an application. America requires on average 1,500 hours prior to application, which is a difficult barrier to overcome &ndash; applicants may have to work for a regional airline to build time to apply for legacy.</p>
<p>&lsquo;More flights with high demand for air travel across the globe means that the industry will need to treat the shortage as a matter of urgency.&rsquo;</p>
<p><strong>What Do You Think Your Role Will Look Like in 10 Years?</strong></p>
<p>&lsquo;Aviation technology innovation could see supersonic aircraft making a comeback to follow on from the Concord. A decade into the future, we might be flying different types of aircraft &ndash; planes that can take off and land vertically, or smaller planes and electric aircraft.&rsquo;</p>
<p><strong>What Advice Would You Give to Someone Looking to Start a Similar Career?</strong></p>
<p>&lsquo;Be passionate about your future career and don&rsquo;t try to hide it. Be open and work hard. Being a fighter pilot is a young person&rsquo;s game, so don&rsquo;t wait &ndash; say exactly what you want to do and your desires in the industry. This heightens the chances of opportunity.</p>
<p>&lsquo;Don&rsquo;t take no for an answer. Build a thick skin and don&rsquo;t give up. I was told I wasn&rsquo;t physically qualified because I suffered migraines at high school; my physical screening results disqualified me from Aviation and the Military. However, I persevered and got lucky &ndash; I met the Head Flight Sargent of the Navy, made my case to him, worked my hardest, and he helped me through. Had I not met this person and had my case taken under his own wing I wouldn&rsquo;t have been able to get past the gates.</p>
<p>&lsquo;Another challenge I encountered early on was my seasickness. I started out suffering badly with travel sickness, but the Military training helped me adjust my body and now I don&rsquo;t suffer at all. When starting out in your career, you need to have a mindset of, &ldquo;This is what I am going to do, and nothing will stop me&rdquo;.&rsquo;</p>
<p>Read our&nbsp;<a href="https://blog.v-hr.com/blog/global-aviation-challenges-market-predictions-report-2020">Global Aerospace Challenges Report for 2020</a>.</p>
<p>Read and apply for our&nbsp;<a href="https://blog.v-hr.com/engineering-jobs">Latest Aerospace &amp; Aviation Jobs</a>.</p>

VHR Interviews a Fighter Jet Pilot

<p>Looking for a new career, but unsure where to turn? Continuous opportunities for development, exciting challenges every day and amazing new life experiences &ndash; here are VHR&rsquo;s top five reasons to work in the Aerospace &amp; Aviation industry.</p>
<h3><strong>8. Travel the World</strong></h3>
<p>Airlines, MROs and OEMs operate all over the world, and they need workers who can travel too. Contract and permanent jobs can require travelling to a variety of countries in a single week, with time in between shifts the perfect opportunity to see the sights. Many companies also offer travel schemes with heavily discounted standby flights and free tickets for hundreds of journeys.</p>
<h3><strong>7. Flexible Working Style</strong></h3>
<p>With different shift patterns across the sector, you can choose your own working pattern, and change the days and hours of your work schedule from one week to the next. Night shifts are also common, and many employers offer a one-week on, one-week off rota to allow workers time to travel, visit family and pursue other interests throughout their contract. Contract work can vary from a few weeks to many months or even a couple of years, whilst permanent jobs are also in abundance. A career in this industry can fit around your life and what matters most to you.</p>
<h3><strong>6. Career Development</strong></h3>
<p>Improvements in safety, customer service and environmental sustainability mean the sector is constantly changing, and it needs workers who can keep pace with these changes. VHR offers Online Training courses for Licensed Engineers and Mechanics with our EASA Part 147 training partner &ndash;&nbsp;<u><a href="https://vhr.learnupon.com/store">find out more</a></u>.</p>
<h3><strong>5. Exciting, Ever-Changing Industry</strong></h3>
<p>If you&rsquo;re looking for a job in an exciting sector, look no further. The nature of Aerospace &amp; Aviation is that it is always moving, always changing and always improving. The industry is far ahead of many others in terms of innovation and particularly in investing in new technology for the benefits of both customers and employees.</p>
<p>Some of the&nbsp;<u><a href="https://blog.v-hr.com/blog/7-aerospace-aviation-trends-for-2020">new technologies already being put into place</a>&nbsp;</u>include:</p>
<p>&middot; Virtual Reality &ndash; VR headsets are reducing motion sickness in-flight, allowing passengers an immersive flying experience and training cabin crew with VR</p>
<p>&middot; Sustainability &ndash; Green planes are planned for the near future, with OEMs aiming to minimise fuel consumption and designers creating lighter aircraft components</p>
<p>&middot; Artificial Intelligence &ndash; Facial recognition, automated customer service and transparent baggage checking are aiming to improve the passenger experience.</p>
<h3><strong>4. Booming Industry</strong></h3>
<p>For the next five years, the global in-service fleet is predicted to grow by 4% every year. Airlines including American Airlines, Air Europa and IndiGo are planning to further expand before 2020 alone. Globalisation and rising middle classes across continents mean more people than ever before are able and wanting to travel, resulting in continuous demand for flights. Many airports across the world are&nbsp;<u><a href="https://www.independent.co.uk/travel/news-and-advice/beijing-daxing-international-airport-opens-world-largest-china-a9120306.html">nearing or already at full capacity</a></u>.</p>
<p>The industry boom holds significant opportunities for those looking to enter the sector. Countries such as China are building new airports and expanding runways and terminals, which will require thousands more workers. Aerospace &amp; Aviation jobs will prove one of the most secure forms of employment of the next decade.</p>
<h3><strong>3. No Barriers to the Right Career for You</strong></h3>
<p>You don&rsquo;t need a University degree to get started on a successful and rewarding career. Airlines and aircraft maintenance providers such as British Airways, Virgin Atlantic or Flybe and aircraft manufacturers such as BAE Systems, Airbus, BAE and Rolls Royce offer a large selection of Apprenticeships including:</p>
<p>&middot; Aircraft Engineering</p>
<p>&middot; Space Exploration</p>
<p>&middot; Health and Environment</p>
<p>&middot; Flight Systems</p>
<p>&middot; Aeronautical Sciences</p>
<p>&middot; Material Sciences</p>
<p>&middot; Cyberspace Communications</p>
<p>Many institutions are developing&nbsp;<u><a href="https://www.careersinaerospace.com/entry-routes/apprenticeships/">Apprenticeship schemes for pilots</a></u>, evidencing that whatever your skill set and experience level, Aviation can offer your perfect career.</p>
<h3><strong>2. Lifestyle</strong></h3>
<p>In addition to the standard employee benefits offered to many employees, such as pensions and discounts on products and services, airlines and MROs often offer the following schemes for workers:</p>
<p>&middot; Accommodation provided throughout short-term and long-term contracts</p>
<p>&middot; Free flights for yourself and family members</p>
<p>&middot; The ability to take your family with you when working abroad</p>
<p>&middot;&nbsp;<u><a href="https://careersuk.virgin-atlantic.com/life-at-virgin-atlantic/benefits">Shares in the business</a></u></p>
<p>&middot; Extra holidays</p>
<p>&middot; Bonus scheme</p>
<p>&middot;&nbsp;<u><a href="https://careers.ba.com/working-with-us">Part-time working or job sharing</a></u></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h3><strong>1.</strong>&nbsp;<strong>In-Demand Skills</strong></h3>
<p>New skills are in high demand for Aviation roles across the sector. The industry has suffered a rapidly increasing shortage of skills for the past few years, particularly in the aircraft maintenance technician, pilot and cabin crew fields. In the next 20 years, the industry will need to recruit and train almost 3million new recruits to meet demand for more flights.</p>
<p>Want to start working in Aerospace &amp; Aviation? Take a look at all&nbsp;<u><a href="https://blog.v-hr.com/engineering-jobs">our technical and engineering positions</a></u>.</p>
<p>Read more about&nbsp;<u><a href="https://blog.v-hr.com/blog/how-airlines-can-improve-their-service">the latest Aerospace trends</a></u></p>

8 Reasons to Work in Aerospace & Aviation

<p>In July, Boeing reported its worst ever quarterly-loss, at $3.4 billion. This is due to their 737 Max, a plane that has been plagued by poor design which resulted in tragic and avoidable deaths.</p>
<p>Currently, the model has been grounded, and production is down, but not cancelled. Should they scrap the 737 Max design?</p>
<h1><strong>What Went Wrong With The Boeing 737 Max?</strong></h1>
<p>The Boeing 737 Max model featured new software called Maneuvering Characteristics Augmentation System (MCAS), designed to keep planes stable in flight and stop them from stalling.</p>
<p>Pilots weren&rsquo;t told about the software, nor were they trained in how to handle it. This resulted in two crashes, which killed a total of 346 people.</p>
<p>The plane had been one of the fastest selling in history, yet was suddenly considered a disaster waiting to happen. The entire fleet of 737 Max models was grounded in March, and still have not been cleared for service. In April, production of the model slowed by 20%. This level has continued, even though demand for the model has plummeted. This has resulted in a surplus of planes with nowhere to store them &ndash; a plane has even been parked in the staff carpark because there is simply nowhere else for it to go.</p>
<h2><strong>What Boeing Should Learn</strong></h2>
<p>The crashes were a direct result of Boeing putting profit before safety. Boeing and all other manufacturers should look at their processes, and think about every element of their business in terms of safety.</p>
<p>While the problem with the software should have been more rigorously tested and fixed before being installed on the planes, the pilots should also have been notified and trained on how to use the it. Because the software was installed without them knowing, they had no way of knowing was went wrong in the moments before the crash.</p>
<p>The modified software has since been tested in over 200 simulations. It&rsquo;s not yet been sent to regulators for approval, and will likely face a higher level of scrutiny than any software ever run through the system, for good reason.</p>
<h2><strong>Will Boeing Cancel The 737 Max Permanently?</strong></h2>
<p>Boeing boss Dennis Muilenburg has said that the plane should be back in the air by October of 2019. The company seems to think that, at worst, they should only need a temporary shutdown of production, rather than a full-blown cancellation of the model.</p>
<p>However, the Federal Aviation Administration has stated that there is no timeline for approving safety upgrades, prompting some experts to believe we won&rsquo;t see the model in the air again until 2020, or perhaps even later.</p>
<p>The FAA discovered another problem with the plane&rsquo;s flight control system in June, leading many to speculate that Boeing has much more work to do before the Max will fly again.</p>
<p>This is all having a knock-on impact on Boeing&rsquo;s bottom line. Boeing expects the cost of manufacturing the plane to rise by $2.7 billion due to production slowdowns. Between this and the cost of the fleet being grounded, the model is now the most expensive in the company&rsquo;s history.</p>
<p>If things stay the way they are, and the FAA blocks the model from returning to active duty, Boeing may have no choice but to cancel the model permanently.</p>
<p>Read more about&nbsp;<a href="https://blog.v-hr.com/blog/what-the-aviation-industry-should-learn-from-boeing" target="_blank" rel="noopener">what the aviation industry should learn from Boeing</a>, or learn the&nbsp;<a href="https://blog.v-hr.com/blog/best-aerospace-companies-to-work-for-in-2019" target="_blank" rel="noopener">best Aerospace companies to work for in 2019</a>.</p>

Will Boeing Stop Manufacturing The 737 Max?

<p>The invention of the plane was one of the most significant achievements of the last century. It has allowed us to explore the world, experience new cultures, and expand our horizons beyond what once would have been considered possible.</p>
<p>But how did the airplane begin? And how have planes changed and developed over time?</p>
<h1><strong>History of The Airplane</strong></h1>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h2><strong>Early History Of Flight:</strong></h2>
<h3><strong>Leonardo Da Vinci</strong></h3>
<p>The concept of human flight has been around since at least the sixteenth century, with designs for gliders being traced back to&nbsp;<a href="https://blog.v-hr.com/blog/historical-figures-in-engineering-leonardo-da-vinci" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Leonardo Da Vinci</a>. Many original designs for aircraft focused on imitating birds, with feathers and wings being central points. These were known as ornithopters, machines which imitated birds wings with flapping motions.</p>
<p>In the 18<sup>th</sup>&nbsp;century, hot air balloons became more viable, with people being able to take short trips in them. However, this mode of transport was highly unpredictable, and difficult to control.</p>
<h3><strong>Sir George Caley</strong></h3>
<p>The first true iteration of the airplane was built by Sir George Caley in England, a kite with a movable tail which allowed it to navigate through the air. In 1799, he defined the forces of lift and drag, axiomatic in the field of aviation.</p>
<p>It wasn&rsquo;t until the 19<sup>th</sup>&nbsp;century that aircraft with fixed wings and propulsion systems began to be designed. In 1874, Felix Du Temple was the first person to attempt powered flight with a steam-driven monoplane.</p>
<p>However, it wasn&rsquo;t until the 1890s that Otto Lilienthal managed a sustained controlled flight with a glider that we could steer by shifting his body weight.</p>
<h3><strong>The Wright Brothers</strong></h3>
<p>The first sustained, controlled flight in an aircraft was achieved by the Wright Brothers in 1903.</p>
<p>It wasn&rsquo;t until 1905 that they believed they had a practical flying machine. The 1905&nbsp;<em>Flyer</em>&nbsp;was the first aircraft to have three-axis control, and would form the basis of all future planes.</p>
<h2><strong>The Development Of Powered Flight:</strong></h2>
<p>In 1889&nbsp;<a href="https://blog.v-hr.com/blog/historical-figures-in-engineering-lawrence-hargrave" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Lawrence Hargrave</a>&nbsp;invented the rotary engine, a huge step forward for powered flight.</p>
<p>Powered flight allowed for greater control and increased range, and made flight a viable method of transportation. Soon people were studying aviation, and learning to become pilots.</p>
<p>In 1909, Louis Bleriot was the first person to successfully fly across the English Channel. This had important strategic implications for the use of planes as potential weapons, something which would be put to use in the years to come.</p>
<p>In 1911, Harriet Quimby became the first female licensed pilot in the US.</p>
<p>In 1914, Igor Sikorsky created a large four-engine bi-plane that was capable of flying long distances, complete with dual controls for a pilot and a co-pilot, cabin lighting, bed, and toilet. It was used for both private and military roles.</p>
<h3><strong>Planes In World War I</strong></h3>
<p>Being able to attack from the air was an exciting concept for armed forces during the First world War. By 1914, planes had been refined, and were far more reliable than they had been just a decade earlier. While they didn&rsquo;t revolutionise warfare at the time, they played an important part in raids, and their early use in combat would pave the way for more vital roles in future wars.</p>
<h3><strong>Junkers</strong></h3>
<p>In 1919 Hugo Junkers created the first mass produced metal aircraft, which would go on to dominate the nascent aviation industry. Over 300 models were shipped worldwide.</p>
<h3><strong>The Spirit Of St Louis</strong></h3>
<p>The first non-stop transatlantic flight was completed in 1927, by Charles Lindbergh in the Spirit of St Louis. The flight took 33 hours.</p>
<h3><strong>Planes In World War II</strong></h3>
<p>By the time the world descended into global war for the second time, planes had been greatly improved as weapons. Fighters and bombers became commonplace, and would routinely be seen in the skies above combat zones.</p>
<p>The fighter plane has been through many different iterations, learn about&nbsp;<a href="https://blog.v-hr.com/blog/what-is-the-future-of-the-fighter-jet" target="_blank" rel="noopener">the future of the fighter jet</a>.</p>
<h3><strong>Stealth Planes</strong></h3>
<p>After World War II, there was a focus on creating stealth planes that couldn&rsquo;t be detected by radar. This peaked with the development of the&nbsp;<a href="https://blog.v-hr.com/blog/how-the-lockheed-blackbird-made-military-history" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Lockheed Blackbird</a>&nbsp;during the Cold War.</p>
<h2><strong>Modern Planes:</strong></h2>
<h3><strong>Supersonic Flight</strong></h3>
<p><a href="https://blog.v-hr.com/blog/why-supersonic-planes-are-making-a-comeback" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Supersonic flight</a>&nbsp;has been around since 1947, when the Bell X-1 was the first aircraft to break the sound barrier. Concorde made a successful business out of supersonic flight in the 1970s, before closing down. But there is now a renewed interest in supersonic flight, thanks to improved designs.</p>
<h2><strong>The Future Of Flight:</strong></h2>
<p>Planes are constantly being improved, and the future of flight is very exciting. Planes can now fly higher and faster than ever, and thanks to new technology planes will soon be very different to previous designs.</p>
<h3><strong>Autonomous Planes</strong></h3>
<p><a href="https://blog.v-hr.com/blog/could-autonomous-planes-ever-work" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Autonomous planes</a>&nbsp;could feasibly fly without a pilot. While the technology still has a long way to go before being perfected, autonomous technology is certainly gaining interest.</p>
<h3><strong>Electric Planes</strong></h3>
<p><a href="https://blog.v-hr.com/blog/rolls-royce-are-building-the-fastest-electric-plane-in-history" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Electric planes</a>&nbsp;are being developed as a response to the rapid depletion of fossil fuels that have previously powered traditional models. One day we might be able to take a supersonic plane that creates zero emissions, flown by a robot, a far cry from the early wooden gliders created at the start of the previous century.</p>
<p>The history of the plane can be seen as the history of human ingenuity, inventing technology that allowed us to surpass our natural limitations and fly around the world. Planes are changing all the time, becoming more efficient, sustainable, and powerful.</p>
<p>Read more about the&nbsp;<a href="https://blog.v-hr.com/blog/what-autonomous-planes-mean-for-international-travel" target="_blank" rel="noopener">future of the aviation industry</a></p>

History of Engineering: The Plane

<p>Spaceflight has been operating under largely the same technology since the 1960&rsquo;s. Reaction engines used massive chemical output to create enough thrust to escape the Earth&rsquo;s gravity. There have since been developments in Ion drives and other forms of propulsion.</p>
<p>This article will look at three new methods of spacecraft propulsion, that could help move us away from traditional or hard to access fuel sources.</p>
<h1><strong>New Technology That Could Change The Aerospace Sector</strong></h1>
<h3><strong>Solar Sails</strong></h3>
<p>A new composites in the form of &lsquo;solar sails&rsquo; could potentially convert light into momentum, giving probes enough power to travel over a million miles an hour.</p>
<p>However, even for small probes, the overall size of the sail would need to be huge, while still being a very light weight to ensure optimum mass for travel. Current solar sails would need to be dozens of meters long on each side, some are even 150 feet long.</p>
<p>These sails would be propelled by radiation pressure, which is a type of energy transfer that results in momentum. Photons (the particles which make up light) have no mass, but they do still have momentum thanks to their movement. With each photon that collides with the sail, there is a transfer of a tiny amount of energy, resulting in the probe being carried along by the sails.</p>
<h3><strong>MaSMi Technology</strong></h3>
<p>MaSMi (or magnetically shielded miniature) technology works by redirecting magnetic fields around vital systems to protect them from excess heat or radiation. It helps protect the internal components from plasma generated by the thruster, which would typically erode them after about 200,000 newton-seconds of impulse. Thanks to the magnetic shielding, newer systems can last ten times longer.</p>
<p>Electric startup Apollo Fusion has begun work on creating a thruster system that utilises this technology to create new thruster systems that might one day be applied to spacecraft, satellites, and deep-space probes.</p>
<h3><strong>Mining Asteroids For Steam Powered Propulsion</strong></h3>
<p>A new design for a self-sustaining probe relies on steam power for its movement. Steam power is one of oldest power systems in history, far less reliable or explosive than modern methods of reaching space.</p>
<p>However, one of the key limitations on space exploration is the amount of fuel a system can hold. All systems are designed with long-term sustainability in mind, and ideally, with the ability to generate new fuel to extend its ability to explore.</p>
<p>This new concept works because water might actually be a relatively plentiful resource in space, meaning that the probe could find more water, refuel, and convert it to steam that would propel it further into space. Designed to never run out of propellant, the probe could in theory travel from asteroid to asteroid, finding water, converting it to fuel, and then moving on.</p>
<p>This new technology works thanks to an In Situ Resource Utilisation (ISRU) System, which captures water to be stored in a steam tank. It can then be heated up using power generated from the system&rsquo;s solar battery. This technology was developed as part of&nbsp;<a href="https://sbir.nasa.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">NASA&rsquo;s Small Business Technology Transfer</a>&nbsp;initiative, showing that big ideas don&rsquo;t always come from NASA itself.</p>
<p>The space exploration industry represents the cutting-edge of technology, and some of the greatest minds on the planet are working on innovative new solutions to the fuel problem.</p>
<p>Read more about the future of&nbsp;<a href="https://blog.v-hr.com/blog/what-the-next-generation-of-commercial-spacecraft-might-look-like" target="_blank" rel="noopener">commercial spaceflight</a>, or read about the future of the&nbsp;<a href="https://blog.v-hr.com/blog/blue-abyss-founder-john-vickers-talks-about-the-future-of-the-uk-space-industry" target="_blank" rel="noopener">UK space industry</a>.</p>

The Future of Spaceflight

<p>It is famously difficult to become an astronaut. Astronauts must be at the peak of physical fitness, have studied for years to be fully qualified, and be mentally prepared for the hardship of living and working in space.</p>
<p>This takes up to two years where they will be trained to fly space shuttles, learn first aid, repairs, survival skills, and even take public speaking classes so they give speeches.</p>
<p>However, simulating space conditions on earth isn&rsquo;t easy: astronauts must get used to the sensation of zero gravity, working in spacesuits, and making repairs to the spacecraft. This has to be done under intense pressure, usually underwater.</p>
<h1><strong>How Do Astronauts Train For Life In Space?</strong></h1>
<p>Currently, there are no commercial facilities in the UK that provide end-to-end services to fully train people to go into space. The&nbsp;<a href="http://blueabyss.uk/">Blue Abyss</a>&nbsp;facility in Liverpool aims to become the world&rsquo;s premier deep-sea and space extreme environment research, training, and test centre.</p>
<p>It will feature a fully functional astronaut training chamber, hypobaric and hyperbaric chambers, a microgravity suite, and a sliding roof which will allow them to insert larger objects or even vehicles into the training pool.</p>
<p>The pool is 50 meters deep at its deepest point, and will be able to accommodate accurate models of the International Space Station for almost entirely realistic training.</p>
<h2><strong>VHR Talks To John Vickers, CEO of Blue Abyss</strong></h2>
<p>We spoke to Blue Abyss&rsquo; founder John Vickers, who told us more about the facility, and why it&rsquo;s going to play a pivotal role in the UK&rsquo;s space industry:</p>
<p><strong>What made you start the company?</strong></p>
<p>&lsquo;I just wanted to link my love of diving with being able to inspire other people about our oceans, and also I knew astronauts trained in pools, and I thought why not combine the two!&rsquo;</p>
<p><strong>Do you think the UK has potential to become a training hub for the industry?&nbsp;</strong></p>
<p>&lsquo;Yes, because Blue Abyss is a marine-to-space company, I believe the UK can become a centre of excellence in developing the next generation of underwater robots, alongside underwater and sub-sea components for the offshore energy industries. Those same underwater robots, I believe, will become the genesis for 'space robots' to assist humanity in reaching out beyond this planet.&rsquo;</p>
<p>&lsquo;Additionally, we want to focus on helping companies and organisations involved in researching and assisting humans to better cope in extreme environments - and where better to do that than in the world's largest, and deepest, pool? We, as a business, have global ambitions, so the UK will be the first of three centres, with others to follow.&rsquo;</p>
<p>The UK government is planning to acquire 10% of the global space industry turnover by 2030, worth an estimated &pound;40 billion. This won't be possible without investment in projects like Blue Abyss.</p>
<p>Demand is only set to rise over the next decade and beyond, and facilities like Blue Abyss will help the UK be at the forefront of this new and exciting market.</p>
<p>Read more about&nbsp;<a href="https://blog.v-hr.com/blog/how-engineering-will-change-the-world-in-2019" target="_blank" rel="noopener">how engineering will change the world</a>, or learn&nbsp;<a href="https://blog.v-hr.com/blog/how-space-flight-has-changed" target="_blank" rel="noopener">how spaceflight has changed</a>.&nbsp;</p>

Blue Abyss Founder John Vickers On Future Of UK Space Industry

<p>Autonomous technology is the future of transport. Soon we will have cars that drive themselves, boats that sail without a crew, and planes that fly without a pilot.</p>
<p>While many have been waiting for this for years, including the owners of airlines companies who stand to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/feb/09/boeing-raises-prospect-of-only-one-pilot-in-the-cockpit-of-planes" target="_blank" rel="noopener">save potential billions in pilot wages</a>, critics of autonomous planes cite concerns ranging from how an AI would handle emergency scenarios to severe weather, without any human oversight.&nbsp;</p>
<h1><strong>Why Autonomous Planes Are A Bad Idea</strong></h1>
<p>The basis for the technology already exists, and many planes already have a degree of autonomous technology active during take-off and landing. Currently most planes are required to have two pilots on board, and if this number were to be reduced, additional automated systems would need to be implemented, as well as a substantial redesign of the cockpit. According to some schools of thought, dropping the numbers of pilots down to just one would not bode well.</p>
<p><a href="https://ntrs.nasa.gov/search.jsp?R=20170009542" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A Nasa study</a>&nbsp;published in September of 2017 found that the workload of flying a Boeing 737 was &ldquo;unacceptable&rdquo; even in normal flight conditions, let alone when something went wrong.</p>
<p>In this event, the plane&rsquo;s automated systems would assist the pilot, but in a fully autonomous plane the AI would be in control before and during the emergency. The AI compiles data from flights and can learn how to pilot the plane, as well as understanding the best course of action to take in specific circumstances like a storm or an engine stall.</p>
<p>In theory, an autonomous plane would be safer than operating under the control of a human pilot, with sensors more intricate and precise than human eyes constantly scanning the plane&rsquo;s surroundings and correcting its course.</p>
<h2><strong>How An Autonomous Plane Might React In An Emergency</strong></h2>
<p>However, there are a host of things an autonomous plane cannot do as well as a human, like react to change quickly. This is an absolutely vital ability to have in the event of an emergency, one which an AI may not be able to replicate. If something unexpected happens, a human pilot can react at a split second&rsquo;s notice thanks to years of training and experience.</p>
<p>An AI would have to be fed new data, analyse that data, and then decide on a new course of action. If there isn&rsquo;t an action that the AI has programmed as a response, it has to decide on one based on what&rsquo;s going on around it, which may not be simple or easy for the system. An AI system can only make choices based on logic determined by set parameters and accumulated data, which may not be able to handle fast-paced situations.</p>
<h2><strong>No Override</strong></h2>
<p>If something were to go wrong, the plane and all its inhabitants would be entirely reliant on the AI to navigate and land safely. In the future, if all planes are designed to be fully autonomous, there may not even be controls for anyone with flight experience to take over, effectively locking out any chance of</p>
<p>Earl Wiener, a figure in aviation safety, coined what is known as&nbsp;<a href="https://motherboard.vice.com/en_us/article/gvv4p9/earl-wieners-15-forgotten-rules-for-computerized-flight" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Wiener&rsquo;s Laws of aviation and human error</a>. One of them was: &lsquo;Digital devices tune out small errors while creating opportunities for large errors.&rsquo; Only time will tell if this proves to pessimistic, or sadly prophetic.</p>
<p>Read more about&nbsp;<a href="https://blog.v-hr.com/blog/what-autonomous-planes-mean-for-international-travel" target="_blank" rel="noopener">what autonomous planes mean for international travel</a>, or learn&nbsp;<a href="https://blog.v-hr.com/blog/how-plane-design-is-changing" target="_blank" rel="noopener">how plane design has changed.</a></p>

The Case Against Autonomous Planes

<p>While the jury is out whether we will ever have fully autonomous planes with no pilots present, the technology to make this happen does exist, and is being implemented in new models and fleets. While most planes today fly with two pilots on hand, many airlines are now looking to move to&nbsp;<a href="https://blog.v-hr.com/blog/what-single-pilot-planes-would-mean-for-the-aviation-industry" target="_blank" rel="noopener">single pilot planes</a>&nbsp;to save money, utilising autonomous technology to pick up the slack.</p>
<p>Allegedly the aviation industry could&nbsp;<a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/how-technology-is-changing-airline-indusry-2017-10?r=US&amp;IR=T#autonomous-flight-4" target="_blank" rel="noopener">save $30 billion by eliminating the need for pilots</a>, which might explain why there is a&nbsp;<a href="https://blog.v-hr.com/blog/why-is-there-a-shortage-of-airline-pilots" target="_blank" rel="noopener">drastic shortage of pilots</a>&nbsp;as the very industry they work in makes moves against them.</p>
<p>Beyond the obvious lack of pilots however, autonomous technology does hold the potential to change how flights operate, making them safer and more efficient.</p>
<h2><strong>What Autonomous Technology Means for Planes</strong></h2>
<p>The technology powering autonomous planes is already at work in cars on the road today, adapting it for the skies will take time and vast amounts of data. Luckily, there are millions of flights to generate data which can be fed into AI programs.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.airbus.com/innovation/Autonomous-skies.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Commercial aviation is growing</a>, and set to double over the next 15 years. This will be instrumental in helping AI systems understand how planes work, how flights are supposed to run, and what to do when things don&rsquo;t go to plan.</p>
<p>Algorithms only make decisions based on previous experience, so essentially the more data it has, the smarter it is.</p>
<h3><strong>How Autonomous Planes Can Make Flights Better</strong></h3>
<p>One obvious advantage of autonomous planes is that during long haul flights the plane will simply fly itself, eliminating any risk of human error due to tiredness. Human error is one of the most dangerous and unpredictable elements of flying, and removing it arguably could make flights significantly safer.</p>
<p>In the event of any kind of disruption, the plane&rsquo;s sensor systems could diagnose problems and find solutions much faster than a human could. Minute calibrations can be made, to fully optimise any remaining power, fuel, or flight path. This would only be possible through the power of an AI system.</p>
<h3><strong>The Risks of Autonomous Planes</strong></h3>
<p>Currently there are usually two pilots on a plane, to ensure there is always someone in the cockpit with control over the flight. The second pilot is there to provide support, check systems, or take over in the event of an emergency.</p>
<p>Autonomous technology could in theory mean this number drops to just one pilot, with an AI co-pilot. This is the middle ground which many are advocating for, having the best of both worlds. A highly advanced AI to check systems, weather patterns, and monitor communications would leave the pilot free to focus on flying the plane.</p>
<p>However without any pilots at all, the fate of the plane and all its passengers depends solely on the AI system. Many have pointed out the flaws in AI logic when confronted with something unexpected, when its algorithms cannot comprehend what is happening to it, or cannot decide on a course of action as a response to an unclear situation.</p>
<p>The lack of human oversight means the plane would also be at risk of&nbsp;<a href="https://blog.v-hr.com/blog/how-vulnerable-is-the-aviation-industry-to-cyber-crime" target="_blank" rel="noopener">cyber-attack</a>. While planes could still be at risk of a hack with pilots, there would still be someone with experience able to mitigate some of the damage. Without this, the plane would be at the mercy of the cyber-criminal, who could potentially redirect it, or worse.</p>
<p>Safeguards are of course the main priority for any AI system, and autonomous planes will be no exception. Being an inherently international vehicle, it&rsquo;s likely that autonomous planes will have the full support of any nations it finds itself in or over, providing assistance. As autonomous technology is developed, we&rsquo;ll see advances in cyber security, and fail-safes implemented in more computer systems to effectively counter cyber-attacks.</p>
<p>Autonomous technology is certainly going to be introduced into planes over the coming decades, but the degree to which it will fly those planes is yet to be seen.</p>
<p>Learn more about&nbsp;<a href="https://blog.v-hr.com/blog/how-plane-design-is-changing" target="_blank" rel="noopener">how plane design is changing</a>, or read about&nbsp;<a href="https://blog.v-hr.com/blog/growth-and-development-in-aviation-over-the-next-decade" target="_blank" rel="noopener">growth and development in the aviation industry</a>.</p>

What Autonomous Planes Mean For International Travel

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<p>Even since mankind first set foot on the moon in 1969, we have dreamt of colonising our nearest neighbour. With resources on our planet rapidly depleting, and space&nbsp;travel becoming easier, cheaper, and more accessible, some are predicting we will have people in permanent residence on the moon maybe by the end of the 2020&rsquo;s.</p>
<h1><strong>How We're Going To Colonise the Moon</strong></h1>
<p>But how would colonising the moon work? And would it be any better or easier to colonise than Mars? Elon Musk is famously attempting to colonise Mars through his company SpaceX. At the time of writing, humans haven&rsquo;t even set foot on the red planet, and just getting there poses some serious problems.</p>
<p>The moon however, could very possibly be home to some enterprising astronauts. But why would we want to live on the moon at all?</p>
<h2><strong>Advantages Of Colonising The Moon:</strong></h2>
<h3><strong>Proximity</strong></h3>
<p>The moon can be reached in a matter of days, allowing for faster deployment and easier management of resources. Its also beneficial in the event of an emergency, as help could reach the moon significantly sooner than Mars, which takes months to get to.</p>
<p>Furthermore, the close proximity means than communications with Earth would be almost real-time, with only a small delay for transmission.</p>
<h3><strong>Water And Other Resources</strong></h3>
<p>There are regions on the moon which are permanently dark, and have been dark for two billion years. These areas of permashadow make for excellent reserves of volatiles (chemicals which would evaporate in sunlight), including water. It&rsquo;s estimated there could be a hundred billion kg of water in the lunar north pole alone.</p>
<p>Other resources like copper, iron, and aluminium may be hidden beneath the moon&rsquo;s surface, which are of high importance to the future of manufacturing.</p>
<h3><strong>Power</strong></h3>
<p>Solar power is one of the most viable methods of generating energy on the moon despite the long night cycles. The moon&rsquo;s poles are home to some mountain peaks which are permanently facing the sun, making them ideal vantage points for solar panels. These points could provide much of the power needed for any initial settlements, and provide a stable framework for further expansion.</p>
<h2><strong>Problems With Colonising The Moon:</strong></h2>
<h3><strong>Temperature</strong></h3>
<p>Daytime temperatures on the moon&rsquo;s surface reach over 100 degrees Celsius, and plummet to around -180 at night. What&rsquo;s worse: a lunar night last for 14 Earth days. This would mean any habitation would need to be designed to deal for this, as well as being hospitable to humans attempting to regulate sleep and work.</p>
<h3><strong>Protection</strong></h3>
<p>One of the biggest problems with colonising the moon is dealing with the natural hazards that inherently come with space exploration. The moon has no atmosphere, meaning it has no protection from cosmic radiation or small meteorites which, without an atmosphere, don&rsquo;t burn up or slow down on their way to the surface. Extensive protection would be required, including an early warning system to alert anyone outside to incoming debris or meteorites. A single cut in a spacesuit could prove fatal. One option is to set up an&nbsp;<a href="https://medium.com/teamindusfoundation/testing-the-first-electrostatic-radiation-shield-in-deep-space-1da53d116dcd" target="_blank" rel="noopener">electrostatic radiation shield</a>, like a forcefield from Star Wars, to protect any settlements.</p>
<h3><strong>Legal Issues</strong></h3>
<p>Currently, no nation can actually claim any land on the moon as their own. The&nbsp;<a href="https://blog.v-hr.com/blog/how-will-laws-work-in-space" target="_blank" rel="noopener">laws that would have to be established in space</a>&nbsp;are still vague, but currently any settlement would have to neutral, international, and non-military. This is difficult to imagine humans achieving, but if we are to start new societies among the stars, we may need to unlearn territorial behaviour, and work together as we move into the future.</p>
<p>Learn more about&nbsp;<a href="https://blog.v-hr.com/blog/why-china-wants-to-go-to-the-dark-side-of-the-moon" target="_blank" rel="noopener">the dark side of moon</a>, or read about the&nbsp;<a href="https://blog.v-hr.com/blog/best-things-astronauts-and-satellites-have-discovered-in-space" target="_blank" rel="noopener">best things found in space</a>.</p>
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How Would Colonising The Moon Work?

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<p>With human beings predicted to start going into space more often, and even to colonise planets in the coming decades, we&rsquo;re beginning to wonder how traditional laws would work in space.</p>
<p>Space law would pertain to anything to do with space and the activities happening within it. Space law is made official legislation by collaborative bodies such as the UN. This extends to the concept of ownership, space exploration, salvage rights, liability for damage, weapon use, environmental protection and ethics.&nbsp;</p>
<h1><strong>How Would Laws Work in Space?</strong></h1>
<p>Space lawyers are already in employment, with many private entities attempting to understand how legal issues in space will operate in the future. Space lawyers are experts in traditional fields of law as well as understanding how space works. They can draft laws and advise policy makers on what is viable to implement, as well as helping companies, businesses and people to be as compliant as possible with these new laws.</p>
<p>A relatively new field of study, the first legal certificate programme for the study of space law began in 2008. Now there are widespread programmes and courses across the world which will only grow in importance over the coming decades.</p>
<p>Here&rsquo;s&nbsp;<u><a href="https://blog.v-hr.com/blog/what-the-next-generation-of-commercial-spacecraft-might-look-like" target="_blank" rel="noopener">What the Next Generation of Commercial Spacecraft Will Look Like</a></u>.</p>
<h2><strong>The Origins of Space Law</strong></h2>
<p>Space law technically began as early as 1919, with international law recognising each country&rsquo;s sovereignty on the airspace above it, which was later cemented in 1954. In 1960, the International Institute of Space Law was founded to promote international cooperation in the creation of space laws. With the advent of space travel and now private launches, space law has become increasingly important to business.</p>
<h2><strong>Why Space Law Is Important:</strong></h2>
<h3>1.&nbsp;<strong>It Determines Who Owns What</strong></h3>
<p>One of the hottest topics in space law is who owns what territory. Resource mining is of pivotal importance and could be one of the next big industries to generate billions. Understanding who owns what part of a planet or section of space helps to keep disputes civil and sets clear boundaries over resource ownership. Whilst for example, countries can&rsquo;t currently own asteroids, in theory private corporations could.</p>
<p>This process would begin by deploying satellites into space which could identify potentially resource-rich asteroids. Spacecraft would then be sent up to ascertain the amount of resources that could be gathered. Space law begins to apply from here, when resources are extracted and taken back. Who gets those resources, how they&rsquo;re extracted and how they&rsquo;re returned to Earth could all be subject to legal debate.</p>
<p>The Moon Treaty (or the Treaty on Principles Governing the Activities of States in the Exploration and Use of Outer Space, including the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies) has been signed or ratified by 17 parties, making it international law. The Moon Treaty directly prohibits ownership by any nation, so the moon is in a way a nation unto itself. Ratified in 1967, the treaty may soon need updating.</p>
<p>Here&rsquo;s&nbsp;<u><a href="https://blog.v-hr.com/blog/how-space-flight-has-changed" target="_blank" rel="noopener">How Space Exploration Has Changed in 60 Years</a></u>.</p>
<h3>2.&nbsp;<strong>It Holds People Accountable For Their Actions</strong></h3>
<p>Currently, due to The Outer Space Treaty, the countries from which spacecraft launch can be held accountable for the actions occurring in space, even if they&rsquo;re enacted by private companies. This will likely be changed as more private companies begin to offer space tourism as a service.</p>
<p>Legal safeguards must protect people, spacecraft and the environment wherever they are in space. Laws bind individuals to uniform standards; something that must be continued wherever we go to avoid exploitation by unscrupulous individuals or ambitious&nbsp;<u><a href="https://www.vox.com/future-perfect/2018/10/22/17991736/jeff-bezos-elon-musk-colonizing-mars-moon-space-blue-origin-spacex" target="_blank" rel="noopener">businesses</a></u>.</p>
<h3>3.&nbsp;<strong>It Provides A Basis For Future Endeavours</strong></h3>
<p>A solid legal framework will allow for any and all parties involved in space exploration and colonisation to understand exactly what they can and cannot do.</p>
<p>Space law can also help set precedents for things that haven&rsquo;t happened yet. In 1991 NASA repealed an old policy on what to do should human beings ever contact extra-terrestrials, updating it to new standards. As space exploration sends us further into space and deeper into the unknown, established protocols will help astronauts make smart decisions.</p>
<p>Space experts predict some form of colony on the Moon by 2050. A solid legal system can help countries and individuals understand their rights as we move from planet to planet. Space law is one of the most important undertakings in legal history.</p>
<p>Learn about how astronauts live and work together on the&nbsp;<u><a href="https://blog.v-hr.com/blog/how-do-astronauts-live-on-the-international-space-station" target="_blank" rel="noopener">International Space Station</a></u>, or read about&nbsp;<u><a href="https://blog.v-hr.com/blog/how-space-flight-has-changed" target="_blank" rel="noopener">How Space Flight Has Changed</a></u>.</p>
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How Will Laws Work in Space?

<p>Aircraft engineering careers are rewarding and highly sought-after. Working in aircraft engineering enables personal development and the chance to travel the world whilst working on planes that will help thousands of people take their own journeys. To become an aircraft engineer or aircraft technician takes years of work but can lead to a highly satisfying lifelong career.</p>
<h2><strong>What Does an Aircraft Engineer Do?</strong></h2>
<p>Aircraft engineers are responsible for the maintenance of planes and the systems onboard. This means running diagnostics, making repairs, troubleshooting problems and making upgrades. To start, you&rsquo;ll likely be part of a team, being given a specific part of the plane to work on.</p>
<p>The average salary for an aircraft engineer in the UK is &pound;38,570, and this figure rises as you progress through your aircraft engineer career. From there you may go on to design planes or to implement new Aviation practices, but you&rsquo;ll always use the core skills of engineering in everything you do.</p>
<h1><strong>How to Become an Aircraft Engineer:</strong></h1>
<h3>1.&nbsp;<strong>Study STEM Subjects at School</strong></h3>
<p>If you know you want to start an engineering career while you&rsquo;re still in school, you should aim to study mathematics, physics, chemistry and design. It isn&rsquo;t always necessary to study all four, but a solid grounding of how physics works and how to build machines will help you on the path to becoming an aircraft engineer.</p>
<h3>2.&nbsp;<strong>Get an Engineering Apprenticeship</strong></h3>
<p>Engineering apprenticeships are a great way of learning practical skills on the job and will still leave time for further education if that&rsquo;s something you want to pursue. Certain employers will even pay for your education costs while you&rsquo;re with them, so apprenticeships offer both flexibility and security. An apprenticeship can last between one or two years and will set you up for the rest of your career.</p>
<p>Here are&nbsp;<u><a href="https://blog.v-hr.com/blog/10-reasons-apprenticeship" target="_blank" rel="noopener">10 reasons to do an apprenticeship</a></u>.</p>
<h3>3.&nbsp;<strong>Get an Engineering Degree</strong></h3>
<p>In order to build your engineering career, you&rsquo;ll likely need a degree or a master&rsquo;s degree. An engineering degree will teach you about physics, aeronautics, structural analysis and mechanics. This will help you understand how to build and operate a plane and the forces at work keeping it in the air. This highly specialised education will help you when it comes to getting a job as an engineer, but don&rsquo;t neglect practical training too.</p>
<h3>4.&nbsp;<strong>Get an Aircraft License</strong></h3>
<p>If you want to be an aircraft engineer, no matter whether you&rsquo;ve done an apprenticeship or a degree, you&rsquo;ll have to get a license to work on planes. Different countries operate under different aircraft licenses, and whilst all carry their own weight, you&rsquo;ll need the specific aircraft engineering license of the country you want to work in.</p>
<p>B1 and B2 licenses will help you with engineering work in Europe, as they&rsquo;re tied to The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). The B1 license refers to mechanical work: aircraft structure, power, mechanical and electrical systems. B2 licenses refers to avionics: communications and radar systems. You can get a B1 license or B2 license through taking the EASA examinations and by developing five years&rsquo; maintenance experience on an appropriate category of aircraft.</p>
<h3>5.&nbsp;<strong>Use A Specialist Recruitment Agency</strong></h3>
<p>The fastest way to get a good job as an aircraft engineer is to use a&nbsp;<u><a href="https://www.v-hr.com/candidate-area/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">specialist recruitment agency</a></u>. A recruitment company that works in Aviation will have contracts with some of the biggest airlines in the world and will help you make those vital connections.</p>
<p>Demand is growing for aircraft engineers as the global Aviation market continues to expand, and aircraft engineering careers offer many opportunities for growth, development and personal satisfaction.</p>
<p>Here are&nbsp;<u><a href="https://blog.v-hr.com/blog/four-of-the-best-airlines-to-work-for" target="_blank" rel="noopener">four of the best airlines to work for</a></u>, and&nbsp;<u><a href="https://blog.v-hr.com/blog/why-you-should-use-a-recruitment-agency-to-find-your-engineering-job" target="_blank" rel="noopener">why you should use a recruitment company to find your aircraft engineering job</a></u>.</p>

How to Start A Career in Aviation Engineering

<p>Since the first man-made satellite was launched into space in 1957, spaceflight has undergone radical change from simple launches of objects into space, to complex missions and return landings by manned craft.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h2><strong>The Role of NASA in Spaceflight</strong></h2>
<p>NASA, formed as The National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA) in 1915, can trace its history more than a hundred years into the past. NASA played an important role during and after the Second World War and is credited with helping to develop retractable landing gear, jet engine compressors and engine cowlings.</p>
<p>As the space race between the US and Russia ramped up in the 1950s, NACA transitioned into NASA, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration as we know it today. It officially began on Oct 1st1958. Neil Armstrong was actually an NACA employee who moved into NASA, having no idea he would later be the first man to walk on the moon. Here&rsquo;s how space flight has changed in the past half century.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h2><strong>The Space Race</strong></h2>
<p>The first satellite in space was the Russian-made Sputnik<em>,</em>&nbsp;a 183-pound satellite that emitted a radio signal in orbit around the earth. It was shortly followed by the Sputnik II<em>,</em>&nbsp;which carried the first dog in space, Laika. The Russian space programme would later send the first man into space, Yuri Gagarin, in 1961. His flight lasted 108 minutes and consisted of a single orbit of the earth.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.space.com/24638-project-mercury.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Project Mercury</a>&nbsp;as American&rsquo;s first manned space program, designed to put a man in orbit around the earth and return safely, achieving the goal a year after the Russian space team. But America would ultimately triumph in sending a man to the moon first, with Neil Armstrong&rsquo;s small step touching down on July 20th, 1969.</p>
<h2>&nbsp;</h2>
<h2><strong>Space Stations</strong></h2>
<p>From there, NASA endeavoured to create and launch the first space station, Skylab. The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.space.com/38720-nasa-saturn-v-rocket-surprising-facts.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Saturn V</a>&nbsp;rocket was launched in 1973, and numerous experiments were conducted onboard. The longest manned mission was Skylab 4 which ran for 84 days.</p>
<p>Mir, the first modular space station, was launched by the Russian space programme in 1986. It was constructed over the next ten years, serving as a microgravity laboratory. It was on this space station that the record for the longest time spent in space was set by&nbsp;<u><a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Valery-Vladimirovich-Polyakov" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Valery Polyakov</a></u>, who stayed aboard for 437 days. Mir was continuously occupied for almost exactly ten years.</p>
<p>The first reusable spacecraft, the Space Shuttle, launched in 1981. This would signal a shift from single mission craft to the more sustainable models we know today.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h2><strong>Modern Spacecraft</strong></h2>
<p>The building of the International Space Station took the cooperation of 15 partners, including NASA, the Russian Federal Space Agency, the Japanese Aerospace Exploration Society, the Canadian Space Agency and members of the European Space Agency. The first parts of the ISS were launched in 1998, and there have been over 40 launches since, bringing new space technology and personnel, and is the most expensive structure ever built. The International Space Station is planned to run until at least 2028, having proven itself invaluable to all areas of science.</p>
<p>Today most news about spacecraft is due to commercial ventures by space programmes and structures such as SpaceX and Blue Origin, who have developed reusable rockets. This is just one step towards commercial space flight and eventual colonisation of other planets. It&rsquo;s likely that we&rsquo;ll see huge advancements in space flight over the next decade as commercial flights become cheaper and more commonplace.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>Read more about&nbsp;<u><a href="https://blog.v-hr.com/blog/best-things-astronauts-and-satellites-have-discovered-in-space" target="_blank" rel="noopener">discoveries made in space</a></u>, or about&nbsp;<u><a href="https://blog.v-hr.com/blog/how-do-astronauts-live-on-the-international-space-station" target="_blank" rel="noopener">how astronauts live and work on the international space station.</a></u></p>

How Space Flight Has Changed

<p>The Aviation industry is used to physical threats. Storms, attacks and crash landings are studied and planned for, with rigid contingencies to keep passengers safe.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/quora/2018/03/22/air-travel-is-safer-than-ever-can-we-thank-the-tsa-or-improved-technology/#149bf8344caf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Air travel has recently become safer than ever</a>&nbsp;before, with&nbsp;<a href="https://blog.v-hr.com/blog/latest-aerospace-technology" target="_blank" rel="noopener">new technology</a>&nbsp;helping keep Aviation businesses organised and secure, which is good news because the number of airline passengers will double over the next 20 years.</p>
<p>However, there is a new threat to the Aviation industry, one that targets the very technology that has become so crucial to public wellbeing: cyber attacks.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h2><strong>Cyber Attacks in the Aviation Industry</strong></h2>
<p>Many Aviation systems are hackable: reservation systems, flight traffic management systems, passport control, cloud storage, hazardous materials transportation management, cargo handling and shipping. Aircraft computers are also vulnerable &ndash; flight control, navigation and even aircraft fuel consumption systems.</p>
<p>Hacking costs the global economy half a trillion dollars annually. There are an estimated 300,000 professional hackers worldwide, watching and waiting for a chance to strike.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h2><strong>Recent Aviation Cyber Attacks</strong></h2>
<p>One recent Aviation cyber attack involved the possible theft of data from&nbsp;<a href="https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/news/cathay-pacific-hack-customers-credit-card-passport-details-credit-card-numbers-a8599851.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">9.4 million customers</a>. Often data is the target of cyber incursions, not causing actual physical harm. Some airlines fend off an average of 1,000 Aviation cyber attacks a month. Both the UN and the EU have cyber security councils and committees specifically for the Aviation sector, designed to set industry standards for Defence.</p>
<p>Luckily the recent passenger data hack had no impact on flight safety as the database was on a different system to flight control systems. Compartmentalisation and maintaining disparate systems may be one way to reduce the effectiveness of Aviation cyber attacks, by increasing the amount of work it would take for Aviation hackers to access multiple different systems instead of just one.</p>
<p>In March&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/oliverwyman/2018/04/11/how-aviations-global-supply-chain-may-open-up-the-industry-to-cyberattack/#7aa8a4df3180" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Russian hackers</a>&nbsp;were identified to have infiltrated many different US infrastructure systems, one of which was Aviation. No sabotage was detected, but the hackers had access to information about those systems and how to potentially gain control of them.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h2><strong>How to Fight Aviation Cybercrime</strong></h2>
<p>It&rsquo;s been argued that one of the most prudent ways of counter Aviation cybercrime is for airline companies to publicly disclose when an attack occurs. This allows other companies to study what happened and to implement their own strategies to protect themselves and their customers.</p>
<p>Prevention and detection are the two main defences against Aviation cyber attacks. The first stops attacks entirely by maintaining solid and secure firewalls. These firewalls will be analysed for any weaknesses, and if any are found, they will be exploited. That&rsquo;s when the second method of protection springs into action: detection. This deals with detecting an Aviation hack the second it begins, allowing reactive measures to be taken.</p>
<p>Aerospace &amp; Aviation companies are so attractive to hackers because of the supply chain: every business is connected to others, which gives hackers more to work with. Less than 10% of independent MROs have established security protocols, which could enable a weak link and an incredibly important chain. Login credentials to any Aviation network allow potential expansion across multiple connected networks, and so on.</p>
<p>The industry must establish a base level of Aviation security across all organisations to reduce the threat of Aviation cyber attacks. A holistic approach can help make the difference between total Aviation security and a potentially disastrous data breach.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>Read more about&nbsp;<a href="https://blog.v-hr.com/blog/what-do-recent-cyber-attacks-mean-for-uk-defence" target="_blank" rel="noopener">cyber attacks on the Defence industry</a>&nbsp;or find out more about how VHR&rsquo;s Aerospace &amp; Aviation recruitment specialists&nbsp;<a href="https://www.v-hr.com/case-studies/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">are helping businesses globally</a>.</p>

How Likely Is Aviation Cyber Crime?

<p>Since the inception of the RAF 100 years ago, the fighter plane has been a staple of the air service. Used in militaries around the world, fighters have evolved and redefined how battles are fought.</p>
<p>But are fighter jets in danger of being made obsolete by new technology?</p>
<p>Recently,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-45688255" target="_blank" rel="noopener">an F-35 fighter crashed in the US</a>, prompting the UK Ministry of Defence to halt their order on more models, and to ground their fleet of 16 planes. The full fleet is scheduled to be made up of 138 F-35 &lsquo;Lightning II&rsquo; planes.</p>
<p>The production of these planes has been plagued by setbacks. Original design and manufacture began back in 2001, and they were scheduled to fly for the US military in 2012. They didn&rsquo;t actually enter active service until four years later. The complete cost of development and production rose from $233 billion in 2001 to $379 billion this year.</p>
<p>The F-35 is equipped with stealth technology to evade radar, prompting Donald Trump to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/nov/23/trump-invisible-plane-coast-guard-f-35" target="_blank" rel="noopener">describe the plane as &ldquo;invisible&rdquo;</a>. In November last year, he said:</p>
<p>&ldquo;You can&rsquo;t see it. You literally can&rsquo;t see it.&rdquo;</p>
<p>This is of course untrue. The plane is less likely to be detected on radar sweeps due to its smaller size. It also has jamming technology that could potentially allow it to fly in enemy airspace undetected.</p>
<p>But with new technology emerging at a faster pace than ever before, how much longer will we realistically need planes of the type, and this cost?</p>
<p>The future of aerial warfare may soon come to depend more on the accompanying systems than on the actual plane itself. Data and intel are more valuable in long-term military strategy, so a focus on upgrading sensors, imaging technology, and facial recognition is likely to be a higher priority than newer models of planes.</p>
<p>New planes would fall under the categorisation of &lsquo;sixth&rsquo; generation fighters. It's still unclear what capabilities a sixth-generation fighter would have. Some have speculated it could have travel at hypersonic speeds, be able to switch between a manned and an unmanned aircraft, or even&nbsp;<a href="blob:https://www.defensenews.com/e9b4c4f0-e869-4869-a042-29d51bac4ff9">shoot lasers.</a></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h1><strong>How Fighter Jets Will Change in The Future</strong></h1>
<h3>1. Fighter Jets Will Become More Versatile</h3>
<p>Hyperconnectivity will play a vital role in engagements in the future. The ability to receive live updates, understand where everyone is on the battlefield, and to control any unmanned aircraft all in one space will make the fighter jet a more versatile weapon.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h3>2. Stealth Will Become Even More Important</h3>
<p>As scanning and tracking technology becomes more refined, the ability to move through restricted space undetected will become more difficult. Jamming technology already exists, but the ability to maintain it over a wide range will be imperative to win conflicts in the future. Today&rsquo;s advanced aircraft carry electro-optical/infrared and synthetic aperture radar imaging capabilities. Emerging capabilities include &ldquo;cognitive&rdquo; electromagnetic weapons and defences which autonomously find ways to detect enemies.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h3>3. Speed</h3>
<p>Sixth-generation fighter jets are expected to fly at anywhere between Mach 2.2 and Mach 2.5. Higher speed at a lower cost will mean fighters are more capable and efficient.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>Learn more about <a href="https://blog.v-hr.com/blog/latest-aerospace-technology" target="_blank" rel="noopener">new Aerospace technology</a>, or about how&nbsp;<a href="https://blog.v-hr.com/blog/how-100-years-of-the-raf-changed-aviation" target="_blank" rel="noopener">100 years of the RAF has changed Aviation</a>.</p>

What Is the Future of The Fighter Jet?

<p>A pseudo-satellite is a high-altitude aircraft, designed to fill in the gap between satellites and UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles). Pseudo-satellites operate in the stratosphere, where no weather occurs. Almost out of the earth&rsquo;s orbit, these drones can provide wide-ranging reconnaissance options.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h2><strong>What is a Pseudo-Satellite?</strong></h2>
<p>One example of a pseudo-satellite is the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.airbus.com/defence/uav/zephyr.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Airbus Zephyr</a>. This solar-powered drone can operate independently for months or be taken over manually. The Airbus Zephyr offers active mapping of a wide area, and radar, to provide a complete picture of what&rsquo;s happening in real time. The Zephyr Model S weighs less than 75kg. The first production examples were built at Airbus Defence and Space&rsquo;s manufacturing facility in Farnborough. The Zephyr S HAPS serial assembly line in Farnborough, called the Kelleher facility, was opened in July 2018.</p>
<p>Primarily used for communications, High-Altitude Pseudo-Satellites (HAPS) are also being looked at for maritime monitoring and surveillance, environmental observation and military intelligence gathering and border patrol. HAPS could even be used for missile detection. They use high-definition optical and infra-red cameras to produce real-time visuals in any lighting.</p>
<p>HAPS have been in development for over a decade, but recent technological advancements have meant they&rsquo;ve become more viable than previous iterations. Improvements to the battery life, weight and navigations systems mean the model has more long-term sustainability. The market is expected to grow by 15% in the next five years. An Airbus Zephyr unit costs around $5million. Traditional orbital satellites cost anywhere between $50million and $400million.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h2><strong>What Are the Benefits of Pseudo-Satellites?</strong></h2>
<h3>1.&nbsp;<strong>Flexibility</strong></h3>
<p>Pseudo-satellites are far easier to launch than traditional aircraft. Requiring no runway or airport, they can launched and piloted to wherever they&rsquo;re needed. Thanks to Beyond Line of Sight (<a href="http://satlink.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">BLOS</a>) technology, they can be controlled from anywhere in the world. Flying at around 70,000 feet in the air, the satellites bypass air traffic and navigate to any point above the earth. The British military have purchased three Airbus Zephyr units, with former UK Prime Minister David Cameron endorsing the satellites as:</p>
<p>'British-designed unmanned aircraft that will fly at the edge of the earth's atmosphere and allow us to monitor our adversaries for weeks on end, providing critical intelligence for our armed forces.&rsquo;</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h3>2.&nbsp;<strong>Durability</strong></h3>
<p>This type of satellite is entirely solar powered, meaning it can operate independently for up to 25 days. Made of carbon fibre, the model is strong while remaining light enough to fly, powered by a lithium-sulphur battery. The Airbus Zephyr successfully achieved several world records, including the longest flight duration without refuelling. Future versions may even be able to stay aloft for months at a time.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h3>3.&nbsp;<strong>Connectivity</strong></h3>
<p>HAPS can also provide wi-fi to areas within their range. The satellites can stay focused on a specific area of interest which can be hundreds of miles wide. Airborne internet connectivity is a blossoming market, with Google&rsquo;s Project Loon signing a deal to bring&nbsp;<a href="https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2018/07/project-loon-signs-its-first-deal-for-internet-delivering-balloons-in-kenya/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">internet-delivering balloons</a>&nbsp;to Kenya.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>Read more about&nbsp;<a href="https://blog.v-hr.com/blog/latest-aerospace-technology" target="_blank" rel="noopener">new technology in the Aerospace &amp; Aviation sector</a>, and&nbsp;<a href="https://blog.v-hr.com/blog/best-things-astronauts-and-satellites-have-discovered-in-space" target="_blank" rel="noopener">the best things satellites have discovered.</a></p>

What Are Pseudo-Satellites and What Do They Mean for Aerospace and Aviation?

<p>The digital age we live in allows for instant communication on a mass scale. When you can be in a meeting in Australia in the morning, have a conference call with your clients in Germany in the afternoon, and take a tour round a factory in China in the evening, all through your phone, you might wonder why you&rsquo;d ever need to leave your office.</p>
<p>Some business leaders see business travel as a waste of time or a needless expense. Often when money needs to be saved, the travel budget is the first to go. Flying can be expensive, but the potential benefits outweigh the costs.</p>
<p>We of course know that human interaction is important, both for businesses and personal relationships. It helps establish tone, allows for mutual empathy, and lets you put a name to a face for greater understanding in the future. In-person communication helps build on your relationship moving forward, which is of course what business is all about. Flying out to see someone also gives the meeting a sense of importance: it tells your connection that they matter.</p>
<h2>&nbsp;</h2>
<h2>3 Reasons Why Flight Is Important for Business</h2>
<h3>1. Face-To-Face Meetings</h3>
<p>Being able to make eye contact as you speak to someone and understand their body language are vital for healthy working relationships. The rate of converting prospects to closed deals nearly doubles in an actual face-to-face meeting. Some companies won&rsquo;t ever sign a contract without a meeting. Face-to-face meetings generate trust, built rapport, and solidify plans in a way that can&rsquo;t be replicated. Nearly 100% of business leaders agreed that physical meetings are vital for&nbsp;<a href="https://www.virgin.com/entrepreneur/infographic-the-importance-of-face-to-face-networking" target="_blank" rel="noopener">long-term business relationships</a>.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h3>2. Networking</h3>
<p>Thanks to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/virtual-human-resources/?trk=nav_account_sub_nav_company_admin" target="_blank" rel="noopener">LinkedIn</a>, it&rsquo;s easier to network than ever. But because of LinkedIn, it&rsquo;s now more important to network than ever. Meeting people organically, establishing genuine interest and sharing a conversation means so much more than an online &lsquo;connection.&rsquo; Whether they&rsquo;re in your industry or not, there&rsquo;s always something to learn, and always benefits to knowing another person who may be able to help in the future. Much of this networking can happen while travelling. Meeting someone on a plane and striking up a conversation can lead to some lifelong business acquaintances, or even friendships.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h3>3. A Hands-On Approach with Projects</h3>
<p>Sometimes you just have to be there. If something has gone wrong, your team needs a leader to show them where to go next. More ideas and ideas of stronger quality are generated in actual meetings compared to virtual ones. Plus, leadership is more easily established in person. This means you&rsquo;ll be seen and heard by your team, and the results will improve. Being able to make decisions as a team will make everyone feel involved and produce greater cohesion moving forward.</p>
<p>Travelling for work is still an important part of making business happen. Establishing connections, learning more about people and understanding what they need can help you achieve even more.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>Read more about how to protect your company from the rise of&nbsp;<a href="https://blog.v-hr.com/blog/fake-jobs-how-to-protect-your-business-and-future-employees" target="_blank" rel="noopener">fake jobs.</a></p>
<p>Find out about&nbsp;<a href="https://www.v-hr.com/about-us/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">VHR&rsquo;s award-winning recruitment services</a>.</p>

Why Flight Is Still Crucial to Businesses in The Digital Age

<h2><strong>What are the Red Arrows?</strong></h2>
<p>Formed in 1965, the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.raf.mod.uk/display-teams/red-arrows/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Red Arrows</a>&nbsp;were originally different display teams (The Red Pelicans and The Black Arrows) combined into one, bringing the best parts of each: aerial prowess, technical ability, and world-class showmanship.</p>
<p>Whilst originally piloting seven Folland Gnat planes, the Red Arrows switched to the BAE Hawk in 1979, a modified version of the RAF&rsquo;s fast jet and weapons trainer craft. The&nbsp;<a href="http://www.armedforces.co.uk/raf/listings/l0027.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Hawk T1</a>&nbsp;is a two-seater jet used for pilot training. The Red Arrows version of the aircraft is powered by a single Rolls-Royce Turbomeca Adour Mk 861 turbofan which produces 5,200 pounds of thrust. This enables the Hawk to travel at an impressive maximum speed of 645 mph, and whilst diving, the Hawk can reach a top speed of Mach 1.2.</p>
<p>A key difference in the build of a Red Arrow jet compared to other planes is the auxiliary tank, which contains both diesel fuel and coloured dyes. The red and blue dyes are held in separate compartments, so can be selected to be fed through the system and out the rear exhaust to create the smoke trail left by the plane.</p>
<h2><strong>Building the Hawk T1</strong></h2>
<p>Currently, around 40% of a new Hawk is manufactured at the company&rsquo;s site at Brough, East Yorkshire, and the rest at Warton and Samlesbury in Lancashire. The total cost of just one plane is around &pound;5 million. On top of that, the Red Arrows cost around &pound;6 million to run and maintain annually, with a ground crew of 85 people.</p>
<p>Despite making its debut more than 40 years ago, upgraded versions of the Hawk have continued to dominated international markets as a fast jet trainer and light combat fighter.</p>
<ul>
<li>Wingspan: 9.39 m</li>
<li>Length: 11.85 m</li>
<li>Height: 4.00 m</li>
<li>Maximum speed at sea level: 645 mph (1037 km/h)</li>
<li>Maximum altitude: 48,000 ft (15894 m)</li>
<li>Empty weight: 8,000 Ibs (3628 kg)</li>
<li>Max weight: 18,390 Ibs (8330 kg)</li>
</ul>
<p>The Hawk is also used by the RAF&rsquo;s 100 Squadron in an aggressor role where it simulates enemy forces to provide training for front-line units.</p>
<p>With Red Arrow replacement jets not needed until 2030, the squad will continue to flow in its signature Diamond nine formation.</p>
<h3><strong>Why the Red Arrows are Vital to Global Aerospace &amp; Aviation</strong></h3>
<p>On the global stage, the Red Arrows provide a benchmark for aerobatics displays, demanding 1,500 hours of flight time and a stellar rating before even accepting an application to the team. Every year over 40 pilots apply for just three spaces in the team, whose membership lasts three years. Of those 40 applicants only nine will be invited to train in Cyprus, at the Red Arrow training facility.</p>
<p>The world-famous Red Arrows are a uniquely British institution, seen and enjoyed by millions of people, and a symbol of Aerospace &amp; Aviation excellence in both technical skills and aerobatic mastery.</p>

Why The Red Arrows Are Vital To Global Aerospace & Aviation

<p>VHR reveals the career successes of Red Arrows Squadron Leader Dominic Riley ahead of his headline speaker role at VHR&rsquo;s latest event, Inside the Red Arrows.</p>
<h2>&nbsp;</h2>
<h2><strong>What It Takes To Become An Airline Captain and RAF Pilot</strong></h2>
<p>As an experienced Airline Captain with a demonstrated history of working in the Airlines/Aviation industry, Dominic&rsquo;s vast array of skills cover Military Aviation, Airports, Commercial Aviation, Piloting and Aviation Security.</p>
<p>Currently an Airline Captain for leading global airline&nbsp;<a href="https://www.virginatlantic.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Virgin Atlantic Airways</a>, Dominic began his Aviation career in the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.raf.mod.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Royal Air Force</a>&nbsp;(RAF). As an Air Defence Fighter Pilot, Dominic spent over two decades touring Northern Germany on the 92(F) Squadron (2 ATAF), Northern UK on the 43(F) Squadron (SACLANT) and Southern England on the 74(F) Squadron (SACEUR).</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h2><strong>Leading the Red Arrows</strong></h2>
<p>Dominic is a qualified weapons instructor, instrument rating examiner and air combat instructor. His time in the Royal Air Force includes three years flying in the Red Arrows across Red 3, 1988 and Red 5, and performing as Squadron Leader and Deputy Leader.</p>
<p>Dominic&rsquo;s impressive career includes:</p>
<ul>
<li>9 years of flying the F4 Phantom fighter</li>
<li>3 years as a Weapons Instructor on the Hawk aircraft</li>
<li>Deputy Leader and Squadron Leader of the Red Arrows for 3 years</li>
<li>Airline Captain flying the Airbus A320, A321, A330 and A340</li>
</ul>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h3><strong>Red Arrows Event: Inside the Red Arrows</strong></h3>
<p>VHR are delighted to announce our latest event &ndash; Inside the Red Arrows with Former Deputy Leader Dominic Riley &ndash; and welcome business leaders across industries to register to attend.</p>
<p>To celebrate the 100th Anniversary of the Royal Air Force, Former Deputy Leader of the Red Arrows Dominic Riley will reveal the life-changing challenges, nail-biting moments and leadership practices that build the best fighter pilots and successful teams across industries.</p>
<p>VHR are proud to celebrate amazing people doing amazing things, and this year&rsquo;s Inside the Red Arrows event promises to be our most exciting yet.</p>

Interview With Red Arrows Squadron Leader Dominic Riley

<h3>What are the best things astronauts and satellites have discovered about space, and how have these discoveries helped science research back on Earth?</h3>
<p>&nbsp;<strong>Runaway Stars:</strong></p>
<p><img src="https://blog.v-hr.com/hs-fs/hubfs/nasa-43566-unsplash-1.jpg?width=323&amp;name=nasa-43566-unsplash-1.jpg" sizes="(max-width: 323px) 100vw, 323px" srcset="https://blog.v-hr.com/hs-fs/hubfs/nasa-43566-unsplash-1.jpg?width=162&amp;name=nasa-43566-unsplash-1.jpg 162w, https://blog.v-hr.com/hs-fs/hubfs/nasa-43566-unsplash-1.jpg?width=323&amp;name=nasa-43566-unsplash-1.jpg 323w, https://blog.v-hr.com/hs-fs/hubfs/nasa-43566-unsplash-1.jpg?width=485&amp;name=nasa-43566-unsplash-1.jpg 485w, https://blog.v-hr.com/hs-fs/hubfs/nasa-43566-unsplash-1.jpg?width=646&amp;name=nasa-43566-unsplash-1.jpg 646w, https://blog.v-hr.com/hs-fs/hubfs/nasa-43566-unsplash-1.jpg?width=808&amp;name=nasa-43566-unsplash-1.jpg 808w, https://blog.v-hr.com/hs-fs/hubfs/nasa-43566-unsplash-1.jpg?width=969&amp;name=nasa-43566-unsplash-1.jpg 969w" alt="Space" width="323"></p>
<p>One of the best things Satellites have discovered in space are runaway stars; at the very brink of our galaxy, runaway stars have been discovered in a cluster, moving so fast that they have enough energy to escape gravitational clutches. These stars are a great finding as they are the first of their kind discovered &ndash; yet, the biggest surprise from this breakthrough is that our galaxy is not the first that the stars have escaped from.</p>
<p>Studies have found that these runaway stars at the edge of our Milky Way were actually thrown out of another nearby galaxy.&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wired.co.uk/article/milky-way-fastest-stars-escaped-galaxies" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Research has found</a>&nbsp;that these stars have come from the Large Magellanic Cloud, a dwarf galaxy in orbit around the Milky Way.</p>
<p>Discover&nbsp;<a href="https://blog.v-hr.com/blog/cassinis-mission-aerospace-engineering-phenomenon" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Cassini&rsquo;s mission</a>&nbsp;&ndash; an engineering phenomenon.</p>
<h3><strong>Water on The Moon:</strong></h3>
<p>A study in to the research conducted by Astronauts and Satellites found that the moon holds more water in its interior than scientists initially thought; this implies that humans may one day be able to make the most of the moon as a space resource.</p>
<p>Following its discovery, further studies have found that the moon hosts a substance called pyroclastic deposits &ndash;&nbsp;<a href="https://www.space.com/35099-most-amazing-space-astronomy-discoveries-of-2016.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">volcanic glass beads formed during ancient explosive eruptions</a>. Prior to the research, scientists thought that these substances have potential, useful sources for elements like titanium and iron.&nbsp;</p>
<h3><strong>Foreign Objects:</strong></h3>
<p><img src="https://blog.v-hr.com/hs-fs/hubfs/nasa-45076-unsplash.jpg?width=300&amp;name=nasa-45076-unsplash.jpg" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" srcset="https://blog.v-hr.com/hs-fs/hubfs/nasa-45076-unsplash.jpg?width=150&amp;name=nasa-45076-unsplash.jpg 150w, https://blog.v-hr.com/hs-fs/hubfs/nasa-45076-unsplash.jpg?width=300&amp;name=nasa-45076-unsplash.jpg 300w, https://blog.v-hr.com/hs-fs/hubfs/nasa-45076-unsplash.jpg?width=450&amp;name=nasa-45076-unsplash.jpg 450w, https://blog.v-hr.com/hs-fs/hubfs/nasa-45076-unsplash.jpg?width=600&amp;name=nasa-45076-unsplash.jpg 600w, https://blog.v-hr.com/hs-fs/hubfs/nasa-45076-unsplash.jpg?width=750&amp;name=nasa-45076-unsplash.jpg 750w, https://blog.v-hr.com/hs-fs/hubfs/nasa-45076-unsplash.jpg?width=900&amp;name=nasa-45076-unsplash.jpg 900w" alt="nasa-45076-unsplash" width="300"></p>
<p>It&rsquo;s quite possibly a scientist&rsquo;s dream come true &ndash; satellites discovered in space a foreign object, also known as an Interstellar Visitor, in our solar system that came from somewhere else.</p>
<p>The object was spotted when it was already travelling away from Earth. One of the most peculiar things about this object was the speed at which it was roaming at; in September it was spotted close to the Sun and in October it had already passed Earth by 15 million miles! Covering over 15.8 miles each second, the incredibly speedy object was almost red due to how hot it was.</p>
<h3><strong>Black Holes:</strong></h3>
<p>The idea that black holes exist has been around for centuries, however it was incredibly difficult for scientists on Earth to prove that they existed.</p>
<p>In 1990, Hubble telescope was launched in to space and produced one of the best things discovered in space. Hubble was designed to take photographs of the deepest parts of space to prove that black holes exist; however, it wasn&rsquo;t possible to photograph a black hole. Instead, Hubble discovered that black holes pull in matter from around the hole itself as they are dying stars that collapse inwards from their own weight.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/34486318" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Picture&rsquo;s taken by Hubble</a>&nbsp;helped scientists understand how black holes are formed - their pull of gravity becomes so strong that even light can&rsquo;t escape; this is why it looks black and the visible matter around it is visible.</p>
<p>Find out more about amazing&nbsp;<a href="https://blog.v-hr.com/blog/aerospace-innovations-2017s-top-5-inventions" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Aerospace innovations.</a></p>
<h3><strong>Detection of Gravitational-Waves:</strong></h3>
<p>Physics history was made when the first direct detection of gravitational-waves was discovered in space &ndash; ripples that stretch and compress itself show that space and time are fundamentally linked.</p>
<p>Detection of gravitational-waves opens up a brand new realm for scientists and astronomy as this means the waves carry information about objects and events that have created them &ndash; evidence that cannot be transferred by any other resource. The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.space.com/28737-fastest-star-galaxy-strange-origin.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">gravitational-waves came from two black holes</a>&nbsp;spinning around each other and then colliding &ndash; these unions would have been unseen by scientists if it wasn&rsquo;t for the waves.</p>
<h3>The View of Earth:</h3>
<p>In 1969, the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/apollo/missions/apollo8.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Astronaut crew of Apollo 8</a>&nbsp;famously became the first humans to land on the moon; this was an incredible, history-making accomplishment that shaped the future of science for scientists back on earth. However, arguably the most impressive discovery of Apollo 8&rsquo;s mission was the first look back at planet Earth &ndash; which had never been seen before. The view they shared had a never-ending impact!</p>
<p><img src="https://blog.v-hr.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Earth-moon.jpg?width=300&amp;name=Earth-moon.jpg" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" srcset="https://blog.v-hr.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Earth-moon.jpg?width=150&amp;name=Earth-moon.jpg 150w, https://blog.v-hr.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Earth-moon.jpg?width=300&amp;name=Earth-moon.jpg 300w, https://blog.v-hr.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Earth-moon.jpg?width=450&amp;name=Earth-moon.jpg 450w, https://blog.v-hr.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Earth-moon.jpg?width=600&amp;name=Earth-moon.jpg 600w, https://blog.v-hr.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Earth-moon.jpg?width=750&amp;name=Earth-moon.jpg 750w, https://blog.v-hr.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Earth-moon.jpg?width=900&amp;name=Earth-moon.jpg 900w" alt="Earth-moon" width="300"></p>
<p>The view produced in the photographs is now famously known as the &lsquo;blue marble&rsquo;. The photograph of Earth seen rising above the moon has been credited as one of the &lsquo;100 Photographs That Changed the World&rsquo; - some will claim that it&rsquo;s the most influential environmental photograph ever taken.</p>
<p>Apollo 8&rsquo;s astronaut,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nasa.gov/feature/astronaut-photography-from-space-helped-discover-the-earth" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Bill Anders, best summed up the experience</a>: "We came all this way to explore the moon, and the most important thing is that we discovered the Earth," he said.</p>
<p>Earth day has subsequently been founded as an annual event that increases environmental awareness following the discovery of the photographs. The pictures have also aided scientists&rsquo; understanding of the Earth&rsquo;s climate and weather.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>Learn about&nbsp;<a href="https://blog.v-hr.com/blog/the-future-of-spaceflight" target="_blank" rel="noopener">the future of spaceflight</a>, or read about the&nbsp;<a href="https://blog.v-hr.com/blog/blue-abyss-founder-john-vickers-talks-about-the-future-of-the-uk-space-industry" target="_blank" rel="noopener">UK space industry</a>.&nbsp;</p>

Best Things That Have Been Discovered in Space

<p>Life in space is, not surprisingly, very different from life on Earth. In an environment of zero gravity, even simple tasks become more complicated to perform.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h2><strong>How Do Astronauts Live And Work On The International Space Station?</strong></h2>
<h3><strong>Maintenance</strong></h3>
<p>Astronauts are on call 24 hours a day and can work more than 16 hours in a row. The International space station never returns to earth, so as consequence,&nbsp;<a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/resources/idt-c1dffc35-fe53-492d-a4bf-752a22bd1ebc" target="_blank" rel="noopener">crew members oversee the maintenance of the station</a>&nbsp;throughout the entire day.</p>
<p>For example, they must check the station systems, clean air filters and update computer equipment; at all times, the tools and the pieces of equipment that they use to perform these jobs must be secured using magnets.</p>
<p>Their own survival depends on the astronauts&rsquo; skills to solve problems; they must be ready to spot and repair the station at any time of day.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h3><strong>Spacewalk</strong></h3>
<p>Whenever an astronaut leaves the station, it is called a spacewalk. It is very physically demanding, and is an operation that can be compulsory for many reasons: to test new equipment, repair materials on the satellite, repair materials on the space craft and experimentation.</p>
<p>As floating in space is a lot like floating in water, astronauts practice spacewalks underwater in a large swimming pool on earth. Nowadays, they can also use&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nasa.gov/audience/forstudents/k-4/stories/nasa-knows/what-is-a-spacewalk-k4.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">virtual reality to adapt to the movement in space</a>.</p>
<p>Finally, when astronauts embark on spacewalks, they leave the spacecraft through a special door called an airlock and wear space suits where pure oxygen is pumped into the globe in order for them to breathe. For safety purposes, cosmonauts use security ropes to stay close and attached to their spaceship; it prevents astronauts from floating away into space.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h3><strong>Experiments</strong></h3>
<p><img src="https://blog.v-hr.com/hs-fs/hubfs/nasa-45075-unsplash.jpg?width=300&amp;name=nasa-45075-unsplash.jpg" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" srcset="https://blog.v-hr.com/hs-fs/hubfs/nasa-45075-unsplash.jpg?width=150&amp;name=nasa-45075-unsplash.jpg 150w, https://blog.v-hr.com/hs-fs/hubfs/nasa-45075-unsplash.jpg?width=300&amp;name=nasa-45075-unsplash.jpg 300w, https://blog.v-hr.com/hs-fs/hubfs/nasa-45075-unsplash.jpg?width=450&amp;name=nasa-45075-unsplash.jpg 450w, https://blog.v-hr.com/hs-fs/hubfs/nasa-45075-unsplash.jpg?width=600&amp;name=nasa-45075-unsplash.jpg 600w, https://blog.v-hr.com/hs-fs/hubfs/nasa-45075-unsplash.jpg?width=750&amp;name=nasa-45075-unsplash.jpg 750w, https://blog.v-hr.com/hs-fs/hubfs/nasa-45075-unsplash.jpg?width=900&amp;name=nasa-45075-unsplash.jpg 900w" alt="nasa-45075-unsplash" width="300"></p>
<p>Astronauts are scientists in medicine, engineering, physics, chemistry or biology. They perform scientific experiments for government agencies, private companies, and educational institutions; research varies in nature from growing vegetables to printing in zero gravity. More often than not, the overall goal is to help humans with their tasks on earth and to improve the living conditions in space in order to travel on to other planets.</p>
<p>Of course,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nasa.gov/centers/johnson/pdf/167746main_FS_LivingandWorkinginSpace508c.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">the astronauts themselves are also living-experiments</a>. Zero gravity and a sunrise every 90 minutes can disrupt an astronaut&rsquo;s health, both physically and psychologically. They are all taking part in medical experiments to observe the human body&rsquo;s reactions to living in space for long periods of time.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h3><strong>Exercise</strong></h3>
<p>Astronauts must train at least&nbsp;<a href="https://www.engadget.com/2014/11/04/international-space-station-explainer/?guccounter=2" target="_blank" rel="noopener">two hours per day to prevent muscle loss and health changes</a>. Equipped with three machines (a bicycle, a treadmill, and a weightlifting machine), the International Space Station is designed to allow astronauts to stay fit.</p>
<p>Without gravity to work against them, astronauts face the risk of losing their bone mineral density as well as muscle atrophy. Blood and water from their body can also change in space: they can change direction and flow more to the upper body and head, causing issues with the blood circulation which can affect vision. Usually, most of these problem disappear after returning to Earth.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h3><strong>Primary needs</strong></h3>
<p>In the International Space Station, astronauts usually get eight hours of rest time after their daily missions; however,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.livescience.com/32663-what-is-it-like-to-live-in-space.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">the excitement and anxiety of being in space can often disturb their life balance</a>&nbsp;and disrupt their sleep.</p>
<p>Several types of food are consumed in the space station, however, dehydrated meals a usually eaten more frequently.</p>
<p>Group meals and celebrations are often organized to look after the morale of the crew, as often when living in space daily routine can become quite repetitive and boring.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h3><strong>Free time</strong></h3>
<p>Astronauts&rsquo; free time can be spent in a variety of ways whilst on the International Space Station: they can use the internet, they can call or email their families or friends, they can watch movies &ndash; they can even share music, videos or photos with their followers on earth. Nevertheless, it&rsquo;s most likely that the most popular activity during free time is to just simply&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nasa.gov/audience/foreducators/stem-on-station/ditl_free_time" target="_blank" rel="noopener">look down at the Earth from the Tranquility Module.</a></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>Find out more about&nbsp;<a href="https://blog.v-hr.com/blog/aerospace-innovations-2017s-top-5-inventions" rel=" noopener">Aerospace innovations</a>&nbsp;and activity up in space. Interested in a job working in Aerospace?&nbsp;<a href="https://blog.v-hr.com/engineering-jobs/tag/aerospace-aviation" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Click here for our current job opportunities.</a></p>

What It's Like To Live On The International Space Station

<p>In a world where online reviews count towards&nbsp;<a href="https://www.vendasta.com/blog/50-stats-you-need-to-know-about-online-reviews" target="_blank" rel="noopener">88% of consumers decision making</a>, what are the most important features that make a great airline and how can they be achieved?</p>
<p>In the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/TravelersChoice-Airlines-a_Mode.expanded" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Travellers Choice awards for 2018</a>, TripAdvisor revealed the Top airlines across the world, according to an accumulation of the best online reviews.</p>
<p>Having already disclosed the&nbsp;<a href="https://blog.v-hr.com/blog/top-5-global-airlines-the-secrets-to-their-success" target="_blank" rel="noopener">secrets to global airline success</a>, the focus is now on the importance of great airline qualities &ndash; why are people choosing to fly with certain airlines over others, and what can airline companies be doing to match their competitors success?</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h2><strong>How Airlines Can Improve Their Service:</strong></h2>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h3><strong>5. Inflight Meals</strong></h3>
<p>Food and inflight meals has always been a challenge for airlines, yet it&rsquo;s one of the first features for passengers to comment on when they have both a good and bad experience.</p>
<p>When in flight,&nbsp;<a href="http://www.traveller.com.au/plate-up-the-story-behind-airline-food-gn03e8" target="_blank" rel="noopener">passengers lose around 30% of their ability to taste food</a>&nbsp;&ndash; which in retrospect has probably not always been a hindrance &ndash; however passenger&rsquo;s expectations are growing as they anticipate more and better food options from airlines. For example, Singapore Airlines (which won first place in the Travellers Choice awards for 2018) had a number of reviews specifically noting the quality of inflight meals:</p>
<p><em>&ldquo;<a href="https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/ShowUserReviews-g1-d8729151-r564153889-Singapore_Airlines-World.html#REVIEWS" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Food was great... You can order beforehand what you like from the book the cook menu</a>&rdquo;</em></p>
<p>So what can other airlines be doing to keep up with the competition? To boost culinary credentials, world-class airlines across the globe are enlisting the help of celebrity chefs to create tempting business class menus &ndash; and attracting business class passengers is crucial to the success of any airline.</p>
<p>Additionally, airlines like Singapore Airlines provide a variety of food cuisines as a taste of culture from around the world; by catering to the many (and this also includes dietary needs) an airline is providing not only better customer service, but a reason for passengers to choose one airline over another.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h3><strong>4. Entertainment</strong></h3>
<p>A passenger&rsquo;s experience echoes the features that make a great airline; this is absolutely key to an airline&rsquo;s success.</p>
<p>In-flight entertainment systems can take the passenger&rsquo;s experience of flying with your airline to the next level and ensure that your consumers have an amazing flight. To gain customers, you need to give them what they&rsquo;re looking for:</p>
<p><em>&ldquo;<a href="https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/ShowUserReviews-g1-d8729076-r551682988-EVA_Air-World.html#REVIEWS" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Nice touch was that movie selection on European flights were different from than Asian flights.</a>&rdquo;</em></p>
<p><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-6799" src="https://blog.v-hr.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/suhyeon-choi-184102-unsplash-300x200.jpg?width=300&amp;name=suhyeon-choi-184102-unsplash-300x200.jpg" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" srcset="https://blog.v-hr.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/suhyeon-choi-184102-unsplash-300x200.jpg?width=150&amp;name=suhyeon-choi-184102-unsplash-300x200.jpg 150w, https://blog.v-hr.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/suhyeon-choi-184102-unsplash-300x200.jpg?width=300&amp;name=suhyeon-choi-184102-unsplash-300x200.jpg 300w, https://blog.v-hr.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/suhyeon-choi-184102-unsplash-300x200.jpg?width=450&amp;name=suhyeon-choi-184102-unsplash-300x200.jpg 450w, https://blog.v-hr.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/suhyeon-choi-184102-unsplash-300x200.jpg?width=600&amp;name=suhyeon-choi-184102-unsplash-300x200.jpg 600w, https://blog.v-hr.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/suhyeon-choi-184102-unsplash-300x200.jpg?width=750&amp;name=suhyeon-choi-184102-unsplash-300x200.jpg 750w, https://blog.v-hr.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/suhyeon-choi-184102-unsplash-300x200.jpg?width=900&amp;name=suhyeon-choi-184102-unsplash-300x200.jpg 900w" alt="" width="300"></p>
<p>In the battle for airlines to stand out from the crowd, flight operators are continually looking for innovative ways to make their particular service catch the eye of the consumer; this can be achieved by offering something tailored to every kind of passenger. For example, as mentioned in the review above, EVA Air offer different in-flight entertainment depending on what route the passengers are flying; a great demonstration of cultural awareness, as well as customer service for those frequent flyers.</p>
<p>Other airlines such as<a href="https://www.thinkdigital.travel/opinion/airlines-innovate-with-in-flight-entertainment-in-the-fight-for-passengers/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">&nbsp;Emirates have recently cut a deal with Disney</a>&nbsp;in order to tailor their inflight entertainment to the visually impaired by offering an audio description option.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h3><strong>3. Great Price With Great Deals</strong></h3>
<p>Airlines such as Southwest based in the US are receiving huge passenger satisfaction due to their value for money flights, as well as the great deals they offer on their &lsquo;fly free&rsquo; bag service:</p>
<p><em>&ldquo;<a href="https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/ShowUserReviews-g1-d8729156-r544507919-Southwest_Airlines-World.html#REVIEWS" target="_blank" rel="noopener">On time, bags fly free, price right. Variety of time choices. Change flights without paying change fees.</a>&rdquo;</em></p>
<p>By offering great deals such as &lsquo;bags fly free&rsquo;, passengers can save up to &pound;100 per roundtrip; this is always going to attract passengers to fly with particular airlines.</p>
<p>Budget prices and affordability are key features that make a great airline, and that attract more passengers to your company. The growth of low-cost carriers has been an aviation phenomenon; budget airlines such as&nbsp;<a href="https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/advice/around-the-world-by-low-cost-airline/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">EasyJet and Ryanair have the largest short-haul networks of any carrier in the UK</a>&nbsp;- and in many cases they are more profitable on earnings per share basis than their older, larger rivals.</p>
<p>The introduction of price comparison websites now gives consumers the opportunity to compare their airline options, based purely on price. In order to compete with budget carriers, airline&rsquo;s need to ensure that their service and airline features/passenger experiences reflect the prices that they are charging for flights.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h3><strong>2. Comfort And Space</strong></h3>
<p>Rated and reviewed by Telegraph readers, in terms of both price and comfort, the top three airlines for long-haul travel are Emirates, Singapore Airlines and Air New Zealand; this is also reflected in Travellers Choice awards for 2018 by TripAdvisor, with Singapore Airlines winning overall, Air New Zealand runner-up and Emirates in third place.</p>
<p><em>&ldquo;<a href="https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/ShowUserReviews-g1-d8729069-r564150838-Emirates-World.html#REVIEWS" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Seat 42K. Very good legroom. Before take-off provided hot towel, amenity kit, and a menu...nice touches for Economy Class.</a>&rdquo;</em></p>
<p>Most plane seats are shrinking, so it is no surprise that&nbsp;<a href="https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/news/Price-more-important-than-punctuality-for-flying-Britons/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">passengers identify seating as one of, if not the biggest priority when booking a flight</a>. Thirty-nine per cent of people surveyed by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.momondo.co.uk/?a=adwordssearch/brand&amp;ppc=true&amp;p=45712397003/kwd-361425224397/c/g/219294992041/1t1/921639310&amp;cmpid=921639310&amp;aid=45712397003&amp;tid=kwd-361425224397&amp;locp=9045885&amp;loci=&amp;mt=e&amp;n=g&amp;d=c&amp;dm=&amp;cid=219294992041&amp;kw=momodo&amp;pid=&amp;t=&amp;ace" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Momondo</a>, a travel comparison website, said that comfortable seating with ample leg room was their main concern; however, the good news is that passenger comfort is now improving.</p>
<p><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-6801" src="https://blog.v-hr.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/bambi-corro-278210-unsplash-300x169.jpg?width=300&amp;name=bambi-corro-278210-unsplash-300x169.jpg" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" srcset="https://blog.v-hr.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/bambi-corro-278210-unsplash-300x169.jpg?width=150&amp;name=bambi-corro-278210-unsplash-300x169.jpg 150w, https://blog.v-hr.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/bambi-corro-278210-unsplash-300x169.jpg?width=300&amp;name=bambi-corro-278210-unsplash-300x169.jpg 300w, https://blog.v-hr.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/bambi-corro-278210-unsplash-300x169.jpg?width=450&amp;name=bambi-corro-278210-unsplash-300x169.jpg 450w, https://blog.v-hr.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/bambi-corro-278210-unsplash-300x169.jpg?width=600&amp;name=bambi-corro-278210-unsplash-300x169.jpg 600w, https://blog.v-hr.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/bambi-corro-278210-unsplash-300x169.jpg?width=750&amp;name=bambi-corro-278210-unsplash-300x169.jpg 750w, https://blog.v-hr.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/bambi-corro-278210-unsplash-300x169.jpg?width=900&amp;name=bambi-corro-278210-unsplash-300x169.jpg 900w" alt="" width="300"></p>
<p>Noting the concern for lack of space and discomfort in economy class, airline Air New Zealand introduced an innovative Skycouch which allows a row of three economy seats to be converted into a flat-bed; this may explain why Air New Zealand are ranked number three, by providing amazing features that make a great airline.</p>
<p>Similarly,&nbsp;<a href="http://uk.businessinsider.com/how-are-airlines-making-economy-class-flights-more-comfortable-2015-6" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Lufthansa have created slimmer, more comfortable seat</a>&nbsp;that is made with a mesh fibre instead of traditional foam padding; this is to allow for increased leg room. Its innovations, science and engineering that are contributing to the innovations in the aviation industry, allowing a more pleasant passenger experience.</p>
<h3><strong>1. Customer Service</strong></h3>
<p>Great customer service is an absolute must in order to achieve passenger satisfaction and loyalty amongst customers.</p>
<p>Airlines such as Etihad Airways offer all long-haul flight passengers a Sleep Tight amenity kit including socks, a toothbrush, earplugs, and an eye mask that passengers can wear to notify staff not to wake them up for meals. Additionally, landing securely in 8th place as a Travellers Choice airline, Qatar Airlines are seemingly noted for their excellent, customer friendly service:</p>
<p><em>&ldquo;<a href="https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/ShowUserReviews-g1-d8729134-r566808867-Qatar_Airways-World.html#REVIEWS" target="_blank" rel="noopener">An amazing airline with amazing service. One can really tell that Qatar Airways does not try to cut any corners when it comes to spending, quality, and taking care of a passenger.</a>&rdquo;</em></p>
<p>Consistently, Qatar receives great reviews regarding their customer service and quirky touches that ensure passenger satisfaction; however, most aviation experiences are designed to cater for the business or first class passenger first and foremost, which leaves room for improvement.</p>
<p>Aviation companies with poor reviews are not designing equally for all customers, but nevertheless this can change.</p>
<p>For example: by giving the customer a great experience during their entire consumer journey (being serviced by an airline), ensuring the focus is shifted towards welcoming, entertaining and supporting the passenger, as well as orchestrating experiences for your customer&nbsp;<a href="https://www.enginegroup.co.uk/news-and-views/five-ways-to-improve-customer-experience-in-the-aviation" target="_blank" rel="noopener">depending on their traveling spectrum</a>, an airline will be providing great qualities and rich customer satisfaction.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>For information about working for a global airline,&nbsp;<a href="https://blog.v-hr.com/blog/5-reasons-work-global-airline" target="_blank" rel="noopener">click here</a>.</p>
<p>Looking for a&nbsp;<a href="https://blog.v-hr.com/engineering-jobs/tag/aerospace-aviation" target="_blank" rel="noopener">job in the Aviation industry</a>?</p>

Top 5 Features That Make a Great Airline

<h2>How Do The Top 5 Global Airlines Drive Growth and Success?</h2>
<p>In the fast-paced world of Aerospace &amp; Aviation, skilled talent and brilliant minds are forever competing in a crowded market full of national and international airlines. Even the smallest airlines are achieving phenomenal success, and with&nbsp;<a href="https://blog.v-hr.com/blog/changes-aviation-industry-tackling-climate-change" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><u>the commencement of exciting new projects in 2018</u></a>, the industry has never been so innovative. &nbsp;</p>
<p>The leaders topping the list of largest global airlines can offer key lessons in weathering recessions, launching unique initiatives and breaking world records. But what are the largest global airlines?</p>
<p>Business analysts at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.economist.com/blogs/gulliver/2015/06/worlds-largest-airlines" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><u>The Economist&nbsp;</u></a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.economist.com/blogs/gulliver/2015/06/worlds-largest-airlines" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><u>Forbes</u></a>&nbsp;evaluate all international airlines across:</p>
<ul>
<li>
<p>Number of passengers carried globally</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>Turnover</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>Sales</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>Profit</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>Assets</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>Market value</p>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.independent.co.uk/travel/news-and-advice/worlds-biggest-airlines-american-airlines-british-airways-easyjet-ryanair-a7766251.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><u>Judging the &lsquo;size&rsquo; of an airline is an inexact science</u></a>, however the most successful airlines on the list of top 5 global airlines received the highest scores across these six metrics.</p>
<h2>&nbsp;</h2>
<h2><strong>Who Are The Top 5 Airlines, And What Makes Them So Successful?</strong></h2>
<h3>5. International Airlines Group</h3>
<p>Founded in 1974 in the United Kingdom,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/companies/international-airlines/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><u>International Consolidated Airline Group SA (IAG)</u></a>&nbsp;is the holding company for British Airways, Aer Lingus, Iberia and Vueling. IAG provides passenger and freight air transportation services as well as international and domestic carriage services for passengers and cargo.</p>
<p>Aircraft maintenance services form a key part of the IAG business model.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.tharawat-magazine.com/facts/10-largest-airlines/#gs.GwA39MM" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><u>Every year, IAG Group transports 97 million passengers to 255 locations on its fleet of 525 aircraft</u></a>. Strategic alliances and differentiated activities have strengthened the position of the former companies on the market, enabling IAG to further claim the fifth position amongst the top 5 global airlines.</p>
<p>In 2018 IAG is committed to an eco-friendly initiative: partnering with&nbsp; an experienced software industrial company&nbsp;<a href="http://phx.corporate-ir.net/external.file?t=2&amp;item=o8hHt16027g9XhJTr8+weNRYaV9bFc2rMd0Q/AXw4zu/2Frvc4ERX7ScKOM//xkxlge6RXfl2hr/Jyz6+cM9L0hcgc/Y0swUVm4NkEj2uA48szRxLpQduZ89HU5y7u1q3pdNS4G7l0au3stN4KEp1w==&amp;cb=636571413617578491" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><u>to introduce innovative technology that will reduce carbon emissions</u></a>. The new software is being implemented across the entire International Airlines Group fleet to further optimise fuel use by analysing flight data and monitoring efficiency initiatives. Through the use of updated and forward-looking technologies, IAG are directly addressing the issue of climate change in Aerospace &amp; Aviation, appealing directly to customer concerns and improving corporate and social responsibility simultaneously.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h3>4. Southwest Airlines</h3>
<p><a href="https://www.forbes.com/companies/southwest-airlines/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><u>With 53,000 employees and a market cap of $33.6 billion</u></a>, this American company provides scheduled air transportation services in the United States and nearby international markets. Southwest Airlines provide scheduled air transportation services and AirTran Airways operates a fleet of airline services using Boeing 717-200 aircraft and Boeing 737-700 aircraft throughout the United States and to select international locations.</p>
<p>The International Air Transport Association (IATA) reveals that&nbsp;<a href="https://www.economist.com/blogs/gulliver/2015/06/worlds-largest-airlines" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><u>Southwest Airlines is second only to Delta Airlines in number of passengers transported</u></a>, with 129million people safely delivered. Southwest emerged from humble beginnings in 1967 to become the world&rsquo;s largest low-cost carrier today, with 709 planes and low-cost flights to over 100 destinations in the United States and 10 in additional countries.</p>
<p>Southwest Airlines is adept at establishing and continually building market share,&nbsp;<a href="http://investors.southwest.com/news-and-events/news-releases/2018/02-15-2018-160045228" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><u>adding several new non-stop routes to its schedule in 2018</u></a>, whilst additionally meeting customer requirements including low-cost flights.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h3>3. United Airlines</h3>
<p>United Airlines&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/companies/united-continental-holdings/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><u>offers flights in the US, Canada, South America, and the Pacific and Atlantic geographic area</u></a>. Although internet access is now offered on long-haul flights across several providers, Unied Airlines were the pioneers of the new technology as the first airline to offer in-flight Wi-Fi.</p>
<p>Born in the year 1934, United Airlines merged with Continental Airlines in 2010 to create&nbsp;<a href="https://www.tharawat-magazine.com/facts/10-largest-airlines/#gs.E=dAJbU" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><u>&nbsp;the world&rsquo;s largest airline as measured by revenue passenger miles</u></a>. United Continental Holdings has won the Best Frequent Flyer Programme award for the past 13 consecutive years with&nbsp;<a href="https://www.united.com/web/en-US/content/mileageplus/default.aspx" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><u>its MiragePlus Program</u></a>me. Despite the introduction of several controversial changes in recent years, such as the reduction in bonus miles for elite members and the introduction of a revenue-based model in 2015, United Airlines held onto its title.</p>
<p>A loyalty programme allowing passengers to enjoy the most interesting benefits the more they travel has enabled United Airlines to build brand value and improve customer loyalty.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h3>2. American Airlines Group</h3>
<p>With&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/companies/american-airlines-group/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><u>a market cap value of $21.1 billions</u></a>, American Airlines Group is currently the world&rsquo;s second biggest airline company. American Airlines provides air transportations for passengers and cargo; the global reach of the cargo division offers a wide range of freight and mail services, based on facilities and interline connections available across the globe. The company also presents a recent example of how a successful and well-planned strategic alliance can lead to top results: American Airlines Group is the result of a merge between&nbsp;<a href="http://www.nbcnews.com/id/5982378/ns/business-us_business/t/us-airways-files-bankruptcy/#.WrpSAUxFyUk" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><u>US Airways</u></a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/american-airlines-files-for-bankruptcy/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><u>American Airlines</u></a>&nbsp;in 2013, which had both filed for bankrupcty protection just a year earlier, and which in 2018 are now enjoying international success.</p>
<p>In February, American Airlines and Qantas filed an application with the U.S. Department of Transportation&nbsp;<a href="http://news.aa.com/press-releases/press-release-details/2018/American-and-Qantas-file-application-to-form-joint-business/default.aspx" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><u>to form a joint business focused on better serving customers</u></a>&nbsp;flying between North America and Australia and New Zealand. The proposed joint business aims to significantly improve service, stimulate demand and unlock more than $300 million annually in consumer benefits that are not achievable through any other form of cooperation. American and Qantas will also have the opportunity to launch additional routes between the U.S. and Australia and New Zealand.</p>
<p>An expanded relationship will encourage significant improvements in the airline customer experience, which are estimated to increase demand for new travel in the coming years.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h3>1. Delta Airlines</h3>
<p>The oldest airline company still operating in the United States is the world&rsquo;s largest airline. Delta Airlines is&nbsp;<a href="https://www.economist.com/blogs/gulliver/2015/06/worlds-largest-airlines" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><u>the world&rsquo;s largest airline in terms of scheduled passengers carried</u></a>, with 129,433,000 passengers transported every year.</p>
<p>Delat Airlines operates 13 hubs worldwide, with a fleet of 809 aircraft including Airbus, Boeing and McDonnell Douglass planes, and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.seatguru.com/airlines/Delta_Airlines/information.php" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><u>flies to about 335 destinations worldwide</u></a>&nbsp;throughout North America, South America, Europe, Africa, Asia and Oceania.</p>
<p>Delat Airlines provides scheduled flights both for passengers and cargo, whilst its Refinery branch consists of jet-fuel and non jet-fuel products. Delta Airlines has officially announced its involvement in an Exoskeleton Technical Advisory Group (X-TAG) concerned with&nbsp;<a href="https://news.delta.com/delta-explores-robotic-suits-augment-employee-safety-strength-front-lines" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><u>the best ways to bring full-body, powered industrial exoskeleton systems to the workforce</u></a>. Gil West, Delta's Chief Operating Officer, comments that &lsquo;This X-TAG is an innovative opportunity to think about how fitting our employees with wearable robotics can build on our strong personal safety culture and further protect our people from injury by giving them an additional layer of strength and protection.&rsquo;</p>
<p>Delta Airlines has a strong track record of finding new ways to improve customer and employee experiences through technology, and is helping to lead Aerospace &amp; Aviation innovation whilst maintaining its position as the largest airline in the world.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h3><strong>What Makes a Top Global Airline?</strong></h3>
<p>The top 5 largest airlines listed above have very different origins and operate across different markets and geographies, however they share many characteristics:</p>
<ul>
<li>
<p>Tailor-made structures serve as powerful management tools to</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>Strategic alliances ensure reciprocal benefits and a steadier presence in the global market</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>planning and forecasting combined with effective marketing and branding inform identification of the market, target clients and the achievement of the desired results.</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>Technology increases convenience, reduces costs and delivers a competitive edge.</p>
</li>
</ul>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>VHR works with world-leading airlines and MROs &ndash;&nbsp;<a href="http://v-hr.com/aerospace-aviation/" rel=" noopener"><u>find out more about our specialist Aerospace &amp; Aviation recruitment services</u></a>.</p>
<p>How Will Brexit Affect Aerospace Production? &ndash;&nbsp;<a href="http://v-hr.com/news/blog/will-brexit-affect-aerospace-production/" rel=" noopener"><u>Read our latest industry report.</u></a></p>

Top 5 Global Airlines – The Secrets to their Success

<p>Ever wanted to travel around the world and&nbsp;<a href="https://blog.v-hr.com/blog/working-abroad-6-biggest-expectations" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><u>work abroad</u></a>? Some of the most prestigious, global airline companies can offer you your dream career.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h2><strong>Here are our top 5 reasons to work for a global airline:</strong></h2>
<h3><strong>Company growth = more job opportunities</strong></h3>
<p>Some of the biggest companies in the world are global airlines, which means there are more available job opportunities across multiple sectors. Emirates, for example,&nbsp;<a href="http://www.emiratesgroupcareers.com/airline-airport-operations/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><u>employ over 50,000 employees and operate in 78 countries across 6 continents</u></a>; this means they are a highly diverse, cultural based company that attracts employees from all over the world.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h3><strong>Travel opportunities &ndash; work around the world</strong></h3>
<p>If you work for a global airline, the likelihood is that you will have the opportunity to travel around the world and work outside of your country for a world-wide company. Global airlines host a powerful market attracting candidates looking for a travel-based career. For example, large airlines such as&nbsp;<a href="http://www.etihad.com/en-gb/?CID=PPC-UAE-GOOGLE&amp;gclid=Cj0KCQiA5t7UBRDaARIsAOreQtj815AGNw-ZSVDMHw3l8G4MiqimgQlBRAqY7Erip_0pUKsgCtdwKSkaAs0BEALw_wcB&amp;gclsrc=aw.ds" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><u>Etihad</u></a>&nbsp;offer fulfilling careers in bustling hubs, across many airports around the world. Nevertheless, if you&rsquo;re more interested in working within the airline&rsquo;s headquarters -&nbsp;<a href="https://blog.v-hr.com/blog/7-reasons-live-work-abu-dhabi" target="_blank" rel="noopener">&nbsp;<u>like Abu Dhabi</u></a>&nbsp;for Etihad - then this is also achievable.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h3><strong>Embrace new cultures and enjoy a new location</strong></h3>
<p>Looking for a change and a new experience to embrace? If you&rsquo;re still unsure whether you want to work for a global airline, then consider the opportunity of discovering a new part of the world and enjoying the country&rsquo;s locational/financial benefits.</p>
<p>Some of the largest global airlines operate in a number of&nbsp;<a href="https://blog.v-hr.com/blog/best-countries-work-2018-top-10-countries-work-2018" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><u>the best countries to work</u></a>, meaning that as an employee you will be able to - for example - enjoy a tax-free salary whilst working in the UAE, benefit from a progressive health-care system in Germany and appreciate a laid-back culture with a warm climate in New Zealand. Nevertheless, it is always worth doing your research before making the move to another country, as some cultures will be diversely different to your own.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h3><strong>Your CV will look impressive</strong></h3>
<p>Picture how impressive your CV will look if you work for a global airline; most recruiters value work experience over university qualifications, therefore by working either internationally - or for a large prestigious airline company &ndash; your CV will benefit your future career opportunities.</p>
<p>In today&rsquo;s world, work experience with a global company or working internationally permits candidates what&rsquo;s thought as the &lsquo;golden ticket&rsquo; &ndash; key attributes that are sought after by employees: intellect, psychological capital and social capital. Employers are looking for candidates with cultural awareness, great communication, adventure and thirst for challenging experiences &ndash; all of which working for a global airline can provide.</p>
<p>For further advice on how to improve your CV and what not to include,&nbsp;<a href="https://blog.v-hr.com/blog/improve-cv-5-top-interview-tips-vhr" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><u>click here</u></a>.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h3><strong>Great brands and technology innovation</strong></h3>
<p>8.3million people fly around the world every day which is causing climate change and airport capacity issues; large companies and airlines are attempting to tackle this problem with the latest innovations in technology and by using their brand awareness to highlight the cause. It&rsquo;s proving to be an exciting time to work for a global airline, for example Emirates and &nbsp;<a href="http://v-hr.com/news/blog/aviation-innovations-future-aviation-technology/"><u>Airbus A380 have initiated solutions that could help solve the airport capacity struggle</u></a>, with the commitment to expand the number of A380 aircrafts being manufactured. Similarly, by working for a global airline you are associating both yourself and your career with a brand that could be forward-thinking and progressive with innovative, technology advancements; this generate invaluable work experience and place you ahead of the candidate game.</p>
<p><br>&nbsp;<br>Find out what's going in the&nbsp;<a href="https://blog.v-hr.com/blog/the-future-of-the-aviation-industry-in-the-middle-east" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Middle East aviation industry</a>.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Looking to work for a global airline? Visit our&nbsp;<u><a href="https://blog.v-hr.com/engineering-jobs/tag/aerospace-aviation" target="_blank" rel="noopener">vacancy page</a>.</u></p>

5 Reasons to Work for a Global Airline

<p>The need to respond to climate change has never been so important. Changes in the Aviation industry are prevailing &ndash; there is seemingly no longer an aim to reach a new top-speed, or out-perform the most glamorous of jets. Instead, innovations in Civilian Aviation such as electric engines and autonomous systems, are targeting the desire for air transport to be less noisy, but most importantly less polluting.</p>
<h1><strong>How Is Air Travel Impacting The Environment?</strong></h1>
<p>We&rsquo;re no strangers to the effect climate change is having on our planet. When considering all contributing factors to global warming, aviation is in fact a small proportion of the problem; however, as more people chose to fly year on year resulting in the industry&rsquo;s growth, so do the concerns for Earth&rsquo;s ether.&nbsp;</p>
<p>The Aviation industry contributes&nbsp;<a href="http://www.eurocontrol.int/articles/environmental-issues-aviation" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><u>around 4% of man-made atmospheric emissions</u></a>&nbsp;to the atmosphere, nonetheless the damage caused by airplanes is comparatively more severe due to the emissions being discharged in the upper part of the sky, resulting in a direct effect on the atmosphere.Changes in the Aviation industry are occurring because of the environmental impact on the planet. Aircraft engines emit heat, noise, particulates and gases which all contribute towards climate change; carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, sulphur oxides, water vapour, hydrocarbons, lead and black carbon are a few gases to be named - the effect of climate change is proving to be catastrophic.&nbsp;<br>&nbsp;</p>
<h2><strong>How Is The Aviation Industry Responding to Climate Change?</strong>&nbsp;</h2>
<p>According to an&nbsp;<a href="https://www.aef.org.uk/issues/climate/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><u>Aviation expert, David Southgate</u></a>, London Heathrow is responsible for more C02 emissions from international passenger flights than any other airport in the world; it&rsquo;s revelations like these that have encouraged significant changes in the aviation industry.</p>
<p>Historically, changes in the aviation industry advanced massively in the post-war period, with the introduction of the jet engine resulting in great economic value with major aircraft manufacturers such as Boeing emerging in 1958.</p>
<p>However, over recent years the impact of the aviation industry is considerably more concerning. It is predicted that without regulation of the aviation industry, global aviation emissions could triple by mid-century. From 1992 to 2005 passenger kilometres increased by 5.2% per year, but currently in 2018 about 8.3 million people (globally) fly every day &ndash; that&rsquo;s 3 billion occupied seats per year which is twice the total of 1999.Even though there have been significant improvements in fuel efficiency through aircraft technology and operational management, improvements are being continually masked by the increase in air traffic volume. Countries such as&nbsp;<a href="https://blog.v-hr.com/blog/aviation-innovations-future-aviation-technology" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><u>UAE and Germany are embracing the issue by producing revolutionary passenger aircrafts</u></a>&nbsp;capable of using less C02 and use more&nbsp;<a href="http://v-hr.com/news/blog/green-airplanes-new-face-aviation/"><u>environmentally friendly engineering</u></a>.</p>
<h2><strong>3 Innovations in Aviation:</strong></h2>
<h3><strong>Volocopter</strong></h3>
<p>The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.volocopter.com/en/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><u>Volocopter</u></a>&nbsp;is a single-place, experimental, electric multirotor helicopter. The first manned, fully electric VTOL-capable aircraft in the world; their aim is to help modern cities resolve their increasing mobility issues.&nbsp;As well as being incredibly quiet (incorporating state-of-the-art components that optimize the acoustic signature) it is also electric, meaning no combustion engine, no fuel and no direct emissions &ndash; incredibly environmentally friendly.&nbsp;<a href="http://v-hr.com/news/blog/aviation-innovations-future-aviation-technology/"><u>Read more about the Volocopter</u></a>&nbsp;and its debut in Dubai.</p>
<h3><strong>Graphene</strong></h3>
<p>Environmentally friendly materials are an investment worth placing. Graphene - carbon composed of a hexagonal lattice of atoms in a honeycomb structure &ndash; is&nbsp;<a href="https://blog.v-hr.com/blog/graphene-wonder-metal-unwanted-cost" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><u>rapidly be</u><u>coming the engineering industries most sought after&nbsp;</u><u>material</u></a>.</p>
<p>It&rsquo;s been argued that Graphene could not only influence positive changes in global warming, but also improve water purification technology in developing countries, which could provide more efficient desalination plants and deliver clean drinking water across the world.&nbsp;Exciting changes in the aviation industry involve adapting to more friendly materials. It could potentially cut fuel consumption, boost aerodynamics, and increase plane speed by giving the aircraft a lighter, yet stronger body.</p>
<h3><strong>Electric Planes and Flying Cars</strong></h3>
<p>Further noticeable changes in the aviation industry will allow our familiarly loud jet engines to be replaced with cleaner, quieter motors as a result of the innovation in electric planes.</p>
<p>Within a decade passengers could be flying on electric powered flights for distances similar to London to Amsterdam. A deal was signed between&nbsp;<a href="https://www.rolls-royce.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><u>Rolls Royce</u></a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="http://www.airbus.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><u>Airbus</u></a>&nbsp;in order to combine the engineering genius of both electrical cars and aviation in the near future.&nbsp;An electric-powered flight is one of the most exciting changes in the aviation industry to come forward to date &ndash; but what about Flying Cars?</p>
<p>&ldquo;Mark my words: A combination airplane and motorcar is coming. You may smile, but it will come," said Henry Ford in 1940, and he wasn&rsquo;t wrong. A flying car is said to be the ultimate symbol of personal transport freedom, however the question clearly remains, how will it work?&nbsp;Whilst some inventors are investing their money in to developing cycle-powered-crafts and jetpacks, one company which was recently bought by Volvo and Geely, Terrafugia, is developing prototypes of cars that can drive on the road as well as fly in the sky.&nbsp;The flying car will need dual controls, complex folding wings and propellers as well as have to be flown from air strips - not so practical. But they are theoretically possible, and we may see one in the near future.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Find out more about the&nbsp;<a href="https://blog.v-hr.com/blog/rolls-royce-are-building-the-fastest-electric-plane-in-history" target="_blank" rel="noopener">future of electric planes</a>.&nbsp;</p>

Changes in the Aviation Industry: Tackling Climate Change

<p>Neil Armstrong&rsquo;s famous words, &lsquo;One small step for man, one giant leap for mankind&rsquo; were only made possible by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/apollo/apollo11.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><u>the iconic scientific breakthroughs of NASA</u></a>. The story behind the Moon Landing is often forgotten: VHR reveals the Aerospace innovations of Wernher von Braun, the man who took us to the moon.</p>
<p>Wernher von Braun (1912&ndash;1977) was a German Aerospace inventor and engineer who, in the last stages of World War II, defected to the United States to become a leading influencer in American Aerospace science. Initially working for the Third Reich, von Braun designed long-range rocket&nbsp;<em>V-2</em>&nbsp;in 1939. The&nbsp;<em>V-2</em>&nbsp;could fly 200 miles, becoming the first human creation capable of reaching space.</p>
<p>Wernher Von Braun was one of the first people to conceive the idea of humanity exploring other planets via realistic means. After surrendering to the American army in 1945, von Braun was taken to the States but, with the US Government unwilling to rely on German scientists, performed little engineering research until his big break five years later.</p>
<p>By the time Wernher von Braun had arrived in America, the US and Soviet armies had invaded German concentration camps to find blueprints detailing the architecture of the V-2. In 1953 Soviet engineer Sergei Korolev used the V-2 plans to construct and test his R-7:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.space.com/34396-korolev-biography.html"><u>the first rocket to cross a geographical area larger than the Atlantic Ocean</u></a>. The R-7 was a multi-stage rocket propelled by 4 boosters which would be released after passing Earth&rsquo;s atmosphere, leaving the rocket&rsquo;s core cylinder to continue towards its target.</p>
<h2><strong>The Space Race: Wernher von Braun and Sergei Korolev</strong></h2>
<p>In 1957 Sergei Korolev created an R-7 that could carry an atomic bomb across the Atlantic, and in the same year used the R-7 technology to send the first man-made object into space: the Sputnik Satellite. Weighing less than 200 pounds and equipped only with a radio transmitter, thermometers and batteries, Sputnik took only one month to construct and made Russia the first country to successfully embark into space. In 1959 Sergei Korolev followed this feat by designing the Luna 2, the first human object to reach the surface of another celestial body.</p>
<p>After several unsuccessful attempts to develop the American space programme, US President Eisenhower decided to involve German scientists.</p>
<p>In 1958 von Braun constructed the&nbsp;<em>Jupiter C</em>&nbsp;which successfully launched into orbit the first American satellite, the Explorer 1. Continuing the Space Race, Russia stepped up their technological advances and in 1961, Russian astronaut Yuri Gagarin became the first man to travel to space. In just 108 minutes, Yuri Gagarin travelled over 25,000 miles.</p>
<p>New American President John F. Kennedy gave his best Aerospace engineers a deadline and an unprecedented mission:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/apollo/apollo11.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><u>to land a man on the moon by the end of the decade</u></a>. Partnering with American engineer Thomas J. Kelly, Wernher von Braun designed a rocket which could orbit the Moon whilst a smaller lunar lander would detach and reach the surface.</p>
<p>The death of Sergei Korolev in 1966 crippled the Soviet space programme, leaving Wernher von Braun to take the reins of the Space Race. In 1967 the German engineer built&nbsp;<a href="https://www.space.com/38720-nasa-saturn-v-rocket-surprising-facts.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><u>the largest and most powerful rocket of the time: the Saturn 5</u></a>. The Saturn 5 was a 363 feet tall, 3 stage rocket that needed 5.6 million pounds of fuel just to launch.</p>
<p>The Saturn 5 launched further Space Race trials followed by a long string of &lsquo;Apollo&rsquo; missions. In December 1968, Apollo 8 became the first human mission to orbit the moon and safely arrive home. Now there was only one final challenge: The landing. On 16<sup>th&nbsp;</sup>July 1969,&nbsp;<em>Apollo 11</em>&nbsp;was launched, transporting 3 astronauts including Neil Armstrong. The astronauts travelled for three days, covering 238,000 miles to the moon.</p>
<p>Finally on July 20<sup>th</sup> 1969, with millions around the world watching through live television, Apollo 11 landed on the surface of the moon. Neil Armstrong&rsquo;s words reached across the globe, but few know of the original V-2 plans that sparked the Space Race and launched decades of Aerospace innovation.</p>

Historical Figures In Engineering: Wernher von Braun and the Moon Landing

<p>Twenty years after its launch into space, the life of Cassini &ndash; a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nasa.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><u>NASA</u></a>&nbsp;spacecraft &ndash; has come to an end. Cassini plummeted into Saturn&rsquo;s atmosphere after producing a vast amount of data and photography, delivering significant findings, as well as changing how we understand our solar system.&nbsp;</p>
<h2><strong>What was Cassini's Mission?</strong></h2>
<p>Cassini, a planetary spacecraft, was launched in to space on October 15<sup>th</sup>&nbsp;1997, with intent to orbit Saturn&rsquo;s planet and moons for three years; however due to its findings, controllers decided to extend her flight.</p>
<p>Throughout Cassini's mission, the spacecraft discovered seven new moons, raging storms on Saturn as well as shed new light on Saturn&rsquo;s famous rings.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/events/lectures_archive.php?year=2017&amp;month=5" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><u>According to Cassini Program Manager, Dr. Earl Maize</u></a>, Cassini&rsquo;s exciting challenges "ultimately lead her through a region where no spacecraft had ever flown before."Cassini has produced incredible findings; expanding our understanding of Saturn and its surroundings, revealing worlds where life might exist.&nbsp;Cassini-Huygens was one of the largest, most successful interplanetary spacecrafts ever invented and was launched as a U.S.-European space mission to Saturn.&nbsp;Weighing over 2200kg at a length of 22ft, Cassini had instruments such as a magnetometer to study Saturn&rsquo;s magnetic field, and a radar to map the cloud-covered surface.</p>
<p>It was named after the French astronomer, Gian Domenico Cassini (who discovered four of Saturn&rsquo;s moons and the large gap in Saturn&rsquo;s rings).&nbsp;In the beginning Cassini landed on Titan, one of Saturn&rsquo;s largest moons, however as its missions extended, Cassini's mission revealed some of Saturn&rsquo;s unseen, unique features.</p>
<h2><strong>What did Cassini discover?</strong></h2>
<h3><strong>Saturn&rsquo;s Magnetosphere</strong></h3>
<p>Unexpectedly, Cassini discovered that Saturn&rsquo;s magnetosphere is filled with electrical gas, or plasma of oxygen.</p>
<h3><strong>Enceladus</strong></h3>
<p>Cassini found that Saturn&rsquo;s sixth largest moon is not only active, but that Enceladus&rsquo;s geologic activity spray paints the surfaces of several other moons in highly reflective ice particles (this in turn creates part of Saturn&rsquo;s ring).</p>
<h3><strong>Habitable Planets</strong></h3>
<p>Before Cassini&rsquo;s mission, NASA&rsquo;s Galileo mission revealed that Europa (Jupiter&rsquo;s moon) is likely to have a habitable, global ocean. However, Cassini has revealed that Europa does not stand alone; that Saturn (which is ten times further away from the Sun than Earth) could also harvest a habitable world.</p>
<h3><strong>Titan</strong></h3>
<p>Prior to Cassini, NASA wasn&rsquo;t sure what kind of surface Titan (Saturn&rsquo;s largest moon) would hold. Scientists later discovered, during the Cassini's mission being situated on Titan, that the moon harvested both lakes and seas, situated near the north pole. Most surprisingly however, Cassini revealed that there are a rich variety of organic and complex chemicals forming Titan&rsquo;s atmosphere, and that the majority of the moon&rsquo;s landscape is similar to Arizona&rsquo;s desert.</p>
<h3><strong>Liquid Water</strong></h3>
<p>Scientists assumed, prior to Cassini&rsquo;s mission, that Enceladus was too small to generate and hold heat, which is necessary to obtain liquid water. Nevertheless, Cassini discovered intense, geological activity near the moon&rsquo;s unexpectedly &lsquo;warm&rsquo; south pole; this, after years of investigation, revealed that Enceladus hosts a liquid water ocean containing salts and &lsquo;simple organic molecules&rsquo; (a promising place in the solar system to look for life beyond Earth).</p>
<h3><strong>Seasons</strong></h3>
<p>Similar to Earth, Saturn&rsquo;s axis is tilted to orbit around the sun. Unexpectedly, this has resulted in Saturn displaying annual seasons (a big difference being however, that Saturn&rsquo;s seasons last seven Earth years at a time).</p>
<h3><strong>Energy for Life</strong></h3>
<p>Discovered on Titan&rsquo;s surface was clear evidence of an ocean of water, swimming with prebiotic chemicals, beneath its thick, icy crust. As a result of this finding, some scientists believe hydrothermal chemistry lives within the ocean, which could provide energy for life.</p>
<h2><strong>Amazing images captured during Cassini's mission:</strong></h2>
<p>Trained telescopes from afar and other missions that previously flew past Saturn, were all that scientists had in terms of data and imagery of Saturn. Cassini&rsquo;s launch meant that for approximately thirteen years (nearly half a Saturn year) scientists were able to watch the epic changes unfold.&nbsp;<a href="http://news.sky.com/video/cassini-an-end-to-the-20-year-space-mission-11036161" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><u>Captured in images</u></a>&nbsp;were:</p>
<h3><strong>Lightning</strong></h3>
<p>Cassini&rsquo;s instruments picked up radio waves of &lsquo;lightning&rsquo; as soon as it entered Saturn&rsquo;s orbit in 2004; this was an exciting prospect for scientists receiving the data. However, in 2009 Cassini's cameras captured never seen before images of lightning discharging on another planet other than Earth. Saturn&rsquo;s 30-year storm appeared 10 earth years earlier than expected, which allowed Cassini the opportunity to capture and study the phenomenon up close.</p>
<h3><strong>Ringscapes</strong></h3>
<p>Revealed in images were Saturn&rsquo;s icy ringscapes which are magnificently, physically sheer and delicate, making it an incredibly beautiful planet.</p>
<h3><strong>Shadows</strong>&nbsp;</h3>
<p>A few days before Cassini plummeted into Saturn&rsquo;s atmosphere, the spacecraft swooped behind Saturn&rsquo;s night side and captured the planet at an angle where the sun was just above the frame, causing Saturn to cast a dark shadow onto its rings; this is especially important as this image cannot be seen from Earth and won&rsquo;t be visible again until another spaceship orbits the planet.</p>
<h2><strong><u>The end of Cassini's Mission: What&rsquo;s next for the Aerospace industry?</u></strong></h2>
<p>&ldquo;<a href="https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/cassinis-end-marks-new-beginning-for-exploration-of-saturn/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><u>Cassini left the world informed, but still wondering, and I couldn&rsquo;t ask for more</u></a>&rdquo; says Cassini project manager Earl Maize.</p>
<p>In April 2017, Cassini began orbiting towards Saturn&rsquo;s innermost ring in order to end its life.&nbsp;Approximately twenty-three orbits later,&nbsp;<a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/science/2017/09/15/cassini-grand-finale-livenasa-probe-begins-final-descent-20/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><u>Cassini&rsquo;s final encounter</u></a>&nbsp;ensured that the spacecraft was able to sample Saturn&rsquo;s atmosphere directly as well as avoid damaging and contaminating both Titan and Enceladus, by plummeting into its atmosphere.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.theverge.com/2017/9/15/16308334/nasa-cassini-spacecraft-saturn-titan-enceladus-dive-destruction" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><u>According to NASA</u></a>, Cassini's mission members intend on making a future journey back in to Saturn&rsquo;s atmosphere to search for alien life on both Enceladus and Titan.&nbsp;Also, Cassini scientists are continuously working on analysing the data collected during the spacecraft&rsquo;s final orbits to discover the exact origin of Saturn&rsquo;s system of rings.</p>
<p>Cassini&rsquo;s mission was an amazing achievement. The innovation, precision and passion from the team have paved the way for future missions to explore our solar system.</p>
<p>Check out our&nbsp;<a href="https://blog.v-hr.com/engineering-jobs/tag/aerospace-aviation" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Aerospace and Aviation Jobs</a>.</p>

How Cassini Changed What We Know About Our Solar System

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<p>Whilst technology continues to advance and&nbsp;<a href="/blog/aviation-skills-shortage-solution">demand for skilled aircraft maintenance technicians heightens,</a> salaries of maintenance staff have decreased over the last 5 years. With airlines and MROs facing the challenges of rapid aircraft innovation, could talent attraction lie in salary reviews?</p>
<h1><strong>Aerospace &amp; Aviation Salaries: A Global Challenge</strong></h1>
<p>Over the past few months global businesses have begun to review the salaries of Aerospace &amp; Aviation workers, with&nbsp;<a href="http://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/air-transport/2016-12-22/starting-salaries-rise-regional-airlines">U.S. regional airlines beginning to increase starting salaries&nbsp;</a>of pilots and the Nigerian Government forced to intervene as<a href="http://independent.ng/unions-threaten-ground-aviation-industry-salaries-arrears-others/">&nbsp;unions threaten the Lagos Aviation industry</a>&nbsp;over salaries arrears. However, salary increases are slower to translate to aircraft maintenance technicians and aviation engineers.</p>
<p>To match<a title="the demand for rapidly evolving aircraft and engineering technology" href="/blog/green-airplanes-new-face-aviation">&nbsp;the demand for rapidly evolving aircraft and engineering technology,</a> aircraft manufacturers and MROs will require new and improved skillsets from aviation engineers and aircraft maintenance technicians, with these additional requirements potentially resulting in demand for increased salaries. By proactively monitoring staff salaries at all levels and committing to ethical recruitment practices, airlines and MROs can gain competitive advantage as an employer of choice for aircraft maintenance workers.</p>
<p>Above all, candidates place the highest importance on the values of a prospective employer. Transparent company culture, a trustworthy brand and positive working environments are the most important factors in attracting new talent into any industry.</p>
<p>Find out more about&nbsp;<a title="Aerospace &amp; Aviation industry news and events" href="http://v-hr.com/aerospace-aviation/">Aerospace &amp; Aviation industry news and events.</a></p>
<p>View and apply for<a title="&nbsp;Aerospace &amp; Aviation Jobs." href="/jobs#/aerospace-aviation">&nbsp;Aerospace &amp; Aviation Jobs.</a></p>
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Aviation Skills Shortage: Are Salaries the Solution?

<p>As the first people to invent, build and fly an airplane, the Wright Brothers are the most famous innovators in the Aerospace &amp; Aviation industry.</p>
<p>However, the Wright Brothers&rsquo; first airplane followed centuries of work and experimentation. To quote Sir Isaac Newton, &ldquo;If I have seen further, it is because I have stood on the shoulders of giants&rdquo; &ndash; the Wright Brothers owe their success in part to others who made great leaps in aerodynamics.</p>
<h1><strong>Why Leonardo Da Vinci Was So Important for Aviation:</strong></h1>
<p>The Middle Ages lacked advancement in aerodynamics until the genius of<a title="Leonardo da Vinci" href="/blog/historical-figures-in-engineering-leonardo-da-vinci">&nbsp;Leonardo da Vinci&nbsp;(</a>1452- 1519). The Wright Brothers and Da Vinci started their Aerospace &amp; Aviation journey in the same way: watching birds fly. Da Vinci had an ever-expanding curiosity for all things natural and was known for buying caged birds to set free immediately so he could observe the freedom of flight. In his&nbsp;<a href="https://airandspace.si.edu/exhibitions/codex/">Codex on the Flight of Birds, </a>Da Vinci revealed:</p>
<p>&ldquo;A bird is an instrument working according to mathematical law, which instrument it is within the capacity of man to reproduce with all its movements&hellip;We may therefore say that such an instrument constructed by man is lacking in nothing except the life of the bird, and this life must be supplied from man.&rdquo;</p>
<p>When others could only dream of flying, Leonardo Da Vinci had already identified the possibility of aircraft. Humans could achieve flight by understanding and replicating the motions and forces involved in the process of flying.</p>
<p>Da Vinci was the first to study and quantify aerodynamic phenomena and movements, and he also designed flying devices such as aircraft and parachutes. Leonardo&rsquo;s &ldquo;Ornithopter&rdquo;, was one of the first designs for a flying machine powered by lying on the stomach and flapping the wings, just like a bird. However, engineering pioneer&nbsp;<a title="Abbas Ibn Firnas" href="/blogs/historical-figures-in-engineering-abbas-ibn-firnas">Abbas Ibn Firnas&nbsp;</a>managed to fly hundreds of years before Da Vinci was even born.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Da Vinci&rsquo;s other innovations included establishing&nbsp;<a href="https://www.princeton.edu/~asmits/Bicycle_web/continuity.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">the Continuity Equation</a>&nbsp;by experimenting with the movement of water and air and noticing that the velocity of water increases in narrower parts of a river. The Continuity Equation led to the modern Venturis, a device used in Aerospace &amp; Aviation and adopted in Motorsports by&nbsp;<a title="Colin Chapman&rsquo;s revolutionary Lotus car design" href="/blogs/industry-innovators-formula-one-motorsport-pioneers">Colin Chapman&rsquo;s revolutionary Lotus car design.</a> Leonardo Da Vinci studied birds and fish to discover some of the basic forces of flight such as lift, thrust (propulsion) and drag (air resistance) and the importance of streamlined shapes &ndash; principles that are used today across the aerospace, aviation, automotive industries.</p>
<h2><strong>George Cayley and Aerodynamics:</strong></h2>
<p>Although Da Vinci was an industry innovator and pioneer of aerodynamics, his ideas were not published until the 19<sup>th</sup>&nbsp;and 20<sup>th</sup>&nbsp;Century, paving the way for&nbsp;<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Cayley">George Cayley&nbsp;</a>(1773 &ndash;1857) to become the most notable practical contributor to aircraft engineering. Labelled &ldquo;The English Leonardo&rdquo; and &ldquo;The Father of Aviation&rdquo;, Cayley was an outstanding English engineer who, without access to Da Vinci&rsquo;s work, reached some of the same ideas but pursued beyond previous limits. Cayley designed, built and flew his aircraft and published written works that explained his discoveries and influenced the future of aircraft construction and engineering.</p>
<p>Cayley&rsquo;s work used Da Vinci&rsquo;s inspiration to set the ground rules of modern aircraft engineering. Da Vinci&rsquo;s aircraft design included flapping wings to create both lift and thrust but Cayley separated the two, proposing fixed wings to generate lift and creating flappers to generate thrust. Cayley was also the first person to identify all four vector forces that affect a &ldquo;heavier than air&rdquo; flying machine: lift, drag, thrust and gravity (weight) and the first one to design an aircraft with functions for each force. This knowledge propelled Cayley into designing efficient cambered wings, which are essential to any modern airplane.</p>
<p>Predicting that an engine was needed to fly with proper thrust and lift, Cayley sketched the first diagrams showing the interaction of different aerodynamic forces during flight. He introduced wired or lightweight wheels common in bicycles, cars and airplanes today, designed the first flying model airplane (in 1804, almost a century before the Wright Brothers&rsquo; first flight in 1903) and built the first human-controlled glider.</p>
<p>Wright Brother Wilbur acknowledged George Cayley&rsquo;s importance to the advancement of aerodynamics and the science of flight before their time. The unprecedented advancements in Aerospace &amp; Aviation engineering over the 20<sup>th</sup>&nbsp;century would have never been possible without &ldquo;standing on the shoulders&rdquo; of such giants as Leonardo Da Vinci and George Cayley.</p>
<p>Read about<a title="how plane design is changing" href="/blogs/how-plane-design-is-changing">&nbsp;</a><a href="/blog/how-plane-design-is-changing">how plane design is changing,</a> or learn<a title="how to start a career in aviation" href="/blogs/how-to-start-a-career-in-aviation-engineering">&nbsp;</a><a href="/blog/how-to-start-a-career-in-aviation-engineering">how to start a career in aviation.&nbsp;</a></p>

Industry Innovators: Aerospace & Aviation Pioneers

<p>Created in 2003 by technical engineers and experienced recruiters, VHR delivers a partner-orientated approach. We are passionate about the industries where we operate, the career-enhancing support we provide and the people with whom we work.</p><p>Whether one permanent vacancy or a team of contract specialists, VHR strives to deliver the best possible global staffing solutions.</p>

<span>21 Years</span> Experience Recruiting In The Engineering Sectors

<p>VHR is an international technical recruitment company providing solutions to the Aerospace &amp; Aviation, F1 &amp; Automotive, Engineering &amp; Manufacturing, Civils &amp; Infrastructure, Defence &amp; Security, Renewables &amp; Energy and Marine industries in 57 countries around the world.</p>
<p>Created in 2003 by technical engineers and experienced recruiters, VHR was created to deliver a partnership approach with ethics and collaboration at the heart of business.</p>

To be a recruitment company that finds the best solution for you.

<strong>Danny Brooks MBE</strong> <br>VHR's CEO

Interested in recruiting the best talent?

<p>Get in touch and one of our team will be get back to you shortly.</p>

<p>VHR finds talent needed around the world when unavailable domestically. We source, recruit and onboard high quality contract and permanent workers to short time scales, high volumes and specific requirements. We are passionate about the industries where we operate, the career-enhancing support we provide and the people with whom we work.</p>

Some Of The Aerospace &amp; Aviation Roles We Recruit For Include:&nbsp;

VHR provides contract and permanent recruitment, with staffing solutions tailored to suit requirements, to the Aerospace &amp; Aviation industry internationally.

<p>We work with global Airlines and world-leading Maintenance Repair Organisations (MROs), Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) and other Aviation-related organisations to source and deliver engineering and technical staff across the world.</p><p>Led by qualified aerospace engineers together with recruitment industry professionals, VHR’s Aerospace &amp; Aviation expertise guarantees the technical understanding, service excellence and on-time delivery required for business growth and success.</p>

Want to know more about our award-winning recruitment services?

<p>Request our Aerospace &amp; Aviation brochure</p>

Specialisms

<p>VHR have won  global awards. Take a look at some of our highlights.</p>

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<p></p><p>Get the Lastest Industry Insights and Updates Across our Sectors and More.</p>

<p>Get the latest industry insights and updates across our sectors and more.</p>

<p>VHR is an international technical recruitment organisation providing solutions to the Aerospace &amp; Aviation, F1 &amp; Automotive, Engineering &amp; Manufacturing, Science &amp; Technology, Defence &amp; Security, Renewables &amp; Energy, Civils &amp; Infrastructure and Marine Industries around the world.</p><p>To protect our candidates, VHR works within the countries where we recruit. Our employees personally visit each country to perform welfare checks, assess candidates and ensure a positive experience for our contractors.</p>

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Calibri',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">VHR is a global technical recruitment organisation offering tailored solutions to the Aerospace &amp; Aviation, F1 &amp; Automotive, Engineering &amp; Manufacturing, Defence &amp; Security, Renewables &amp; Energy, Civils &amp; Infrastructure, and Marine industries worldwide.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Calibri',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">&nbsp;</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Calibri',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">To safeguard our candidates, VHR operates within the countries where we recruit. Our team personally conducts welfare checks, evaluates candidates, and ensures a positive experience for our contractors in each country. Additionally, in certain instances, VHR deploys dedicated Onsite Coordinators at client sites to provide ongoing support throughout the job.</span></p>

<p>Created in 2003 by former technical engineers and experienced recruitment consultants, VHR delivers a partner-orientated and consultative approach to technical recruitment.</p><p>Our team is led by former industry practitioners, including a world champion sailor and British Airways Engineer. VHR's industry experts truly understand the markets we work within and the needs of businesses and candidates.</p>

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Calibri',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Created in 2003 by former technical engineers and experienced recruitment consultants, VHR delivers a partner-orientated and consultative approach to technical recruitment.&nbsp;</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Calibri',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">&nbsp;</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Calibri',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Our team is led by former industry practitioners, including America's Cup sailors, British Airways engineers, and construction managers, our team ensures comprehensive knowledge across all levels, from the board to junior management. VHR's industry experts truly understand the markets we work within and the needs of businesses and candidates.</span></p>

<p>VHR is a specialist international organisation providing recruitment and training solutions to the Aerospace &amp; Aviation markets. We provide online training in collaboration with our EASA Part 147 Training Partner. We provide training in the following:</p>

<p>VHR is a specialist international organisation providing recruitment and training solutions to the Aerospace &amp; Aviation markets. We provide online training in collaboration with our EASA Part 147 Training Partner. We provide training in the following:</p>
<ul>
<li>Airside Safety</li>
<li>EWIS</li>
<li>Fuel Tank Safety</li>
<li>Human Factors</li>
</ul>

<p>VHR's specialist technical divisions use industry experts to provide international technical recruitment across the following industries.</p>

<p>At VHR, we connect job seekers with contract and permanent positions across 57 countries globally. Our team of specialised technical recruitment consultants are fluent in up to 22 languages, ensuring we match you with the ideal job opportunity.</p>

Is your business experiencing a shortage of engineers or technicians?

<p>Get in touch to see how we can help.</p>

<p>Read about our strategic recruitment solutions and the measurable impact on our clients' businesses.</p>

Case Study

Some Of The Civils &amp; Infrastructure Roles We Recruit For Include:&nbsp;

VHR provides skilled technical staff in permanent, contract and temporary positions from entry to Executive level.

<p>Named the Best Construction &amp; Engineering Staffing Agency of 2020 &amp; 2021 (Talint International Recruitment Awards), VHR provides business-critical workforces for leading Civil and Infrastructure companies around the world.</p><p>Our teams of former engineering professionals recruit specialists to support the entire engineering process. Our 21 years’ industry experience enables us to closely partner global companies working across Utilities, Civil Engineering, Rail, Construction &amp; Built Environment.</p><p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>Request our Civils &amp; Infrastructure brochure</p>

<p>VHR tailors each recruitment service to the individual client. Some of our popular services include:</p>

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Calibri',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Experts in technical recruitment, with specialised industry knowledge spanning our sectors, to deliver tailored solutions that meet your unique requirements.</span></p>

<h2>Request Call Back</h2><p>Leave us your details and we will call you back to discuss your needs.</p>

<h2>Upload Vacancy</h2><p>Leave us your details and we will call you back to discuss your needs.</p>

<p>At VHR we don’t just source talent, but we create it through a combination of recruitment, training and relocation. We work in partnership with our clients to understand their business problems and provide innovative talent solutions that truly makes a difference to our clients' success.</p>

<p>At VHR, we're a multi-award-winning recruitment agency honoured with approval by the late Her Majesty The Queen. Our team comprises industry professionals, not just recruiters, ensuring a genuine technical understanding of our sectors.</p>

Some Of The Energy &amp; Renewables Roles We Recruit For Include:&nbsp;

VHR delivers bespoke recruitment solutions for the Renewables and Energy industries across the world.

<p>As a fast-growing staffing agency with ethics and compliance at the heart of everything we do, we are proud to partner businesses around the world that are creating a more sustainable future.</p><p>Our team of recruitment consultants include former technical specialists with first-hand experience across our sectors. We utilise our 21 years’ experience and in-depth technical knowledge to deliver the highest quality staff for every stage of new project implementation and renovations.</p>

<p>Request our Energy &amp; Renewables brochure</p>

Some Of The Engineering &amp; Manufacturing Roles We Recruit For Include:&nbsp;

VHR provides tailored contract and permanent staffing solutions to the Engineering and Manufacturing industry internationally. 

<p>Named the Best Engineering Recruitment Agency of 2019 (Recruiter Awards 2019) &amp;&nbsp;<span class="ui-provider a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z ab ac ae af ag ah ai aj ak" dir="ltr">Best Technical, Construction &amp; Engineering Recruitment Company 2021 </span>(<span class="ui-provider a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z ab ac ae af ag ah ai aj ak" dir="ltr">Talint International Recruitment Awards 2021)</span>, VHR provides business-critical staff for large blue-chip organisations to start-up and SME businesses around the world.</p><p>Our teams of former engineering professionals recruit specialists to support the entire engineering and manufacturing process, from design, procurement, quality, and R&amp;D through the supply chain to manufacturing and production. VHR’s direct industry experience and in-depth knowledge spans 21 years enabling us to deliver niche skills to short timescales and exacting requirements.</p>

<p>Request our Engineering &amp; Manufacturing brochure</p>

Some Of The F1 &amp; Automotive Roles We Recruit For Include:&nbsp;

VHR provides contract and permanent recruitment, with staffing solutions tailored to suit requirements, to the F1, Motorsport &amp; Automotive industries internationally.

<p>VHR work with global Formula One and Motorsport teams, world-leading OEMs, Tier 1 and 2 suppliers and other Automotive-related organisations to source and deliver engineering and technical staff across the world.<br><br>With an industry-leading fill rate, VHR’s F1 &amp; Automotive division is growing as rapidly as the amazing vehicles we help design and build. Led by specialist Automotive recruitment consultants with over 30 years’ experience, VHR’s F1 &amp; Automotive recruitment team supply expertise from prototype to final build.</p>

<p>Request our F1 &amp; Automotive brochure</p>

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<p>Delivering a partner-orientated and consultative approach to your executive searches for talent.</p>

<p>Created in 2003 by technical engineers and experienced recruiters, VHR delivers a partner-orientated approach. We are passionate about the industries where we operate, the career-enhancing support we provide and the people with whom we work.</p>
<p>Whether one permanent vacancy or a team of contract specialists, VHR strives to deliver the best possible global staffing solutions.</p>

<p>At VHR we work in partnership with our clients finding and creating talent to onboard high-quality workers. Our technical industry experts truly understand the markets we work within and our success stories speak for themselves.</p>

<p>We source, recruit and onboard high quality contract and permanent workers to short time scales, high volumes and specific requirements.</p>

<p>Discover our latest job opportunities from across the world. </p>

<p>Find exceptional talent across the global market.</p>

 <h2>Looking to kickstart your career?</h2> <p>VHR is always on the hunt for the best talent.</p>

 <h2>Upload Vacancy</h2><p>Leave us your details and we will call you back to discuss your needs.</p>

<h2>Looking to kickstart your career?</h2><p>VHR is always on the hunt for the best talent.</p>

<p>Please note – The concept of IR35 status for tax and national insurance is not changing, but how the IR35 status determination decision is made and how the rules applicable to that status are then applied is changing. IR35 was due to come into practice last year in April 2020 but due to the COVID-19 pandemic this was extended until April 2021. Video's may mention older dates but information remains the same.</p>

Contact VHR's Award-Winning Recruitment Team

<p>We're ready to help your business find a unique solution to your staffing and recruitment challenges.</p><p>Simply fill in the form and we'll give you a call as soon as possible. We look forward to hearing from you.</p>

<p>Discover the key changes brought about by IR35 in 2020 for Employers and Contractors alike.</p>

<p>Email our IR35 specialists Michael Lawanson for more information.</p>

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<p>Looking to kickstart your career? VHR is continually seeking out top talent to work with us.</p>

<p>Discover diverse opportunities across various skill levels within the technical and engineering sectors. Ready to advance your career? Explore our latest job listings now.</p>

Some Of The Marine Roles We Recruit For Include:&nbsp;

VHR’s Marine Recruitment division provides a range of recruitment and logistic services across the race boat, performance yacht and superyacht industries. 

<p>VHR work with luxury superyacht and performance yacht manufacturers, mainstream motor and sail craft providers and other Marine-related organisations to source and deliver engineering and technical staff across the world.<br><br>Led by former Marine engineers together with recruitment industry professionals, VHR’s global superyacht shipyard network combined with our 30 years of international experience firmly positions us a leader in bespoke Marine recruitment and service management.</p>

Is your business&nbsp;experiencing a shortage of engineers or technicians?

<p>At VHR, our teams are spearheaded by industry specialists, including an MBE &amp; IoD Award-Winning CEO and COO. Our leaders feature a World Champion Sailor, a British Airways Engineer, and seasoned Technical Recruiters.</p>

<p>Discover VHR's Global News and Updates</p>

<p>VHR Workforce Solutions enables businesses to discover the best global talent whilst reducing administrative overhead and accessing best practice methodologies. Our industry experts manage resourcing and recruitment functions to deliver measurable and sustainable improvements to your business.</p><p>Our team work in partnership with your HR and Procurement departments to develop bespoke services that match your exact requirements. VHR Workforce Solutions empowers your business with an end-to-end staffing solution that recruits and manages high volumes of quality staff, as and when you need them.</p>

reduction in time to hire by using recruitment process outsourcing.

<p>VHR's Global Technical Recruitment specialists operate across 57 countries around the globe. Wherever you are in the world, we're here to help.</p>

Some Of The Defence &amp; Security Roles We Recruit For Include:&nbsp;

VHR provides tailored permanent, contract and temporary recruitment services to the Defence and Security industries internationally. 

<p>VHR work with Governmental organisations including NATO in addition to advanced technology providers and world-leading Defence, arms, cyber security firms to source and deliver the best technical staff across the world.</p><p>Our Defence &amp; Engineering recruitment specialists are qualified former professionals with direct industry experience and first-hand understanding of emerging and established technologies. VHR’s direct industry experience and in-depth knowledge spans 21 years and empowers us to deliver the niche skills to short timescales and exacting requirements.</p>

<p>Request our Defence &amp; Security brochure</p>

<p>Request our Formula One &amp; Automotive brochure</p>

VHR provides contract and permanent recruitment, with staffing solutions tailored to suit requirements, to the F1, Motorsport &amp; Automotive industry internationally.

<p>We work with global Formula One and Motorsport teams, world-leading OEMs, Tier 1 and 2 suppliers and other Automotive-related organisations to source and deliver engineering and technical staff across the world.<br><br>With an industry-leading fill rate, VHR&rsquo;s F1 &amp; Automotive division is growing as rapidly as the amazing vehicles we help design and build. Led by specialist Automotive recruitment consultants with over 30 years&rsquo; experience, VHR&rsquo;s F1 &amp; Automotive recruitment team supply expertise from prototype to final build.</p>

<p>For two decades, VHR has been a leading provider of Executive Search solutions for the Aviation and MRO industries on a global scale. Our services span across 57 countries worldwide, and our specialist technical recruitment consultants can communicate in up to 22 different languages from our 11 global offices.</p>
<p>At VHR Executive, we pride ourselves on delivering a partner-orientated and consultative approach to your executive searches for talent.</p>

Want to know more about our award-winning Executive Search?

<p>At VHR Executive, we pride ourselves on delivering a partner-orientated and consultative approach to your executive searches for talent.</p>

<p>Find specialised premium talent through our global tailored searchs</p>

<p>Build a Successful and Rewarding Career – Become a Trainee Recruitment Consultant with VHR's Academy.</p><p>VHR recruit 8 individuals into our revolutionary 13-week Academy Training Programme. The VHR Academy will give you the skills and guidance to become highly successful in your recruitment career, with the ability to earn commission from Day One of your Training.</p>

Unlock Your Potential in International Recruitment

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Calibri',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Headquartered in London, UK, VHR boasts a network of nine additional offices spanning Manchester, Birmingham, Abu Dhabi, Greensboro, Nicosia, Prague, Dublin, Leipzig, and Bologna. Interested in working with us? Download our brochure to learn more.&nbsp;</span></p>

<p>VHR is an ambitious, fast-growing recruitment agency, and we are looking for dynamic, driven individuals to work at VHR and join our company. We keep our values at the heart of our business which is why we are looking for people that demonstrate these.</p>
<ul>
<li>Doing recruitment right</li>
<li>Teamwork &amp; honesty</li>
<li>Industry specialists</li>
</ul>

<p>VHR is continually seeking out top talent.</p>

<p>Investing in people: fostering talent, nurturing growth, and shaping fulfilling careers.</p>

Tailored to your every need, our Managed Services Programme includes:

<p>Bespoke Managed Service Programmes to seamlessly deliver your recruitment needs globally.</p>

<h3>Whether you want more control over your recruitment supply chain, are looking for cost reduction and increased time efficiency, or are going through a period of rapid growth, VHR Workforce Solutions can tailor the right solution for your business’ needs.</h3>