SOLENT BRANCH
Next Lecture
5th March 2025
Accident investigation: the human perspective
Venue: HMS Sultan, Military Road, Gosport, PO12 3BY
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Lisa Fitzsimons
MSc CEng MRAeS AMCIEHF
Senior Inspector
Air Accidents – Engineering
UK Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB)
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18:15 - Doors open
18:30 - Lecture starts
Since joining the AAIB in 2010 Lisa has been involved in investigating accidents and serious incidents to a wide range of aircraft types including fixed and rotary wing commercial air transport aircraft, general aviation aircraft, gliders, hot air balloons and remotely piloted aircraft.
Lisa is a Chartered Engineer and a member of the RAeS, where she also sits on the Society’s Human Factors Engineering specialist sub group. Additionally, she is an accredited human factors specialist with the European Association of Aviation Psychologists and an associate member of the Chartered Institute of Ergonomics and Human Factors.
The engineering aspects of an air accident investigation aim to understand whether the aircraft or its systems played any part in the accident and whether the manner in which the aircraft was designed, tested, certified or maintained may have played a role. Underpinning all of that is the importance of understanding any human contributions. As investigators we need to look at the human interactions and organisational influences that may have contributed to an accident, whether in the immediate lead-up to an accident or further back in time. Drawing upon several recent examples, this presentation will explore some common themes relating to human performance and organisational factors which have emerged during technical investigations. And it will suggest how a more human-centred approach to aircraft design, specifically with maintainers in mind, might form part of the solution.
Upcoming Lectures
Solent Branch Lecture Competition
Wednesday 12th March 2025 6:00pm Doors Open, 6:30 Lectures
University of Southampton, Physics Building(46) Room 2005
All are welcome to come and learn from our young professionals. Three speakers will present a 20 minute lecture on their chosen subject followed by a Q&A session.
Under 30 Category
Beyond the Rotor: Exploring the world of Helicopter Operations
Helicopters hold a unique place in aviation, combining mobility and precision to perform missions no other aircraft can accomplish. This presentation, Beyond the Rotor: Exploring the World of Helicopter Operations, delves into the fascinating capabilities of helicopters, their challenges, and the inspiring stories that highlight their impact on industries and communities.
Under 22 Category
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This lecture investigates various control algorithms for attitude determination and control systems (ADCS). Attitude control is critical to CubeSat operations as it ensures precise orientation control, which is essential for communication, navigation and imaging. The project comprises two main components: a simulated model implemented in Simulink and MATLAB and a prototype designed for testing and validating the model.
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Biplanes & UAV’s; the similar early days of manned & unmanned aerial warfare.
This lecture will look at the development of the roles of aircraft and UAVs over time from before the first World War to the current day. The equivalent jump for UAV development to World War One can be somewhat mirrored over the course of decades, not years. However, we can use the history of manned aircraft development to look at what might be in store for UAV’s.