THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF AERONAUTICS AND ASTRONAUTICS (AIAA)

On the first of October, 2014, a group of students and faculty from Singapore's Institute of Technical Education (ITE College Central) visited the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology as part of an aviation related exchange.  This was extremely successful and have thus led onto a planned reciprocating visit.  This is a joint event between the AIAA student chapter and HKUST's Aeronautics Interest Group (AIG).

 

Post trip statement

From the 21st till the 25th of December 2014, a group of nineteen students and two professors from the School of Engineering at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology embarked on an exciting aviation themed trip to Singapore.  Organized by the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) student chapter, and sponsored by the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, the team visited the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) Museum, Nanyang Technological University, the Boeing Edge Training Facility, the Institute of Technical Education – College Central, Rockwell Collins Maintenance Facility and the National University of Singapore.  Students and staff alike had the opportunity to explore and understand the developments of the aviation industry in both the commercial and military sectors within aviation.

 

Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) Museum

Upon arriving in Singapore, the group took advantage of the early arrival time of their flight and visited the outdoor areas of the Republic of Singapore Air Force Museum.  On display were multiple retired planes and helicopters, giving the students and faculty alike a first taste of aviation in Singapore.

 

Nanyang Technological University (NTU)

On the second day of the trip, the group visited the Nanyang Technological University where they were received by HKUST graduate, Professor Wan Man Pun.  In the short three hour visit, students had a taste of engineering education and research at the Singaporean university, with visits to wind tunnels, laboratories and an air traffic control research facility.  Students and staff were able to inquire about aviation developments relating to traffic not only in the Singapore, but also the wider Asia Pacific region.

 

Boeing Edge training facility

In the afternoon of the second day in Singapore, the group visited the Boeing Edge training facility in Singapore.  The group was received by Mr Eric Gair and Mr Scott Smolens, whom toured the students and faculty around facilities such as flight crew briefing rooms, cabin crew training rooms, flight procedure trainers (FPT) and full flight simulators.  Students also had the opportunity to fly a Boeing 787 Dreamliner full flight simulator.

 

Institute of Technical Education College Central

On the morning of the third day in Singapore, a visit to the Institute of Technical Education College Central was arranged.  The group toured the facility, which includes multiple retired air force jets and a retired AirAsia Boeing 737, under the leadership of Mr Ng Tat Hwee.  Students were also able to exchange thoughts and ideas with their Singaporean counterparts at the institution.

 

Rockwell Collins Maintenance Facility

On the third day, the group also visited the Rockwell Collins maintenance facility near Changi.  The group was received by Mr David Tan, who introduced the maintenance operations of the various modules including display units, radar modules and transponders amongst other avionics items.  Students and faculty alike were also given a brief insight into the progression of the avionics business in modern commercial aviation, with push factors such as efficiency and weight saving.

 

National University of Singapore (NUS)

On the last day of the visit, the group visited the National University of Singapore.  Dr Lua Kim Boon received the twenty one participants, and toured them around both the fluid dynamics laboratory and the Tamasek facilities.  Students received a lecture outlining the recent developments in airfoil technologies being researched at the institution.

 

 

Message from the president of the AIAA student chapter

This was one of the most worthwhile university knowledge exchange trips, with multitudes of opportunities to interact with industry professionals and researchers.  Participants were able to get a glimpse of the progression of the industry, in both mechanical and electronic fronts.  In this day and age, avionics plays as great a role as the traditional mechanics of an aircraft.  This trip struck the balance and hit home the importance of both in the various lectures, visits and interactions with Singapore based engineers.