The first running of the WAC Prize Presentations Evening proved to be an
outstanding success with Rob McFeely of Moog claiming the overall winner’s slot. He presented a paper addressing the issues of the design-manufacture engineering interface and proposing improvements through an “Integrated, Closed Loop, Design for Manufacturing Capability Process”.

The Hawthorns, University of Bristol hosted the event on the 18 March.

Four written papers had been previously short-listed for the second and final element of the competition – testing the visual and aural presentation skills of the authors. The papers were presented consecutively to an audience representing the broad scope of aerospace engineering – industrialists to academics. Included in the audience were the members of the adjudicating panel who had the unenviable task of deciding an overall winner from what were four excellent presentations.

The purpose of the prize is to stimulate and encourage continued professional development in young engineers who have already graduated with a first degree. As it happened, all four of the short-listed prize contenders are currently participating in the Bristol Universities’ Consortium Aerospace Integrated Graduate Development Scheme (IGDS) leading to the award of a Masters in Aerospace Engineering.

Rob McFeely of Moog Controls Ltd wins the inaugural IMechE WAC Prize

Pictured are the presenters (seated, left to right) Rob McFeely (Moog Controls) the overall winner who received a cheque for £500 with Kate Calvert (Rolls-Royce), Andy Cotton (Westland Helicopters) and Dave Tilly (QinetiQ) who each received £100 as runners-up. Standing behind the presenters are the members of the adjudicating panel (left to right) Sandy Mitchell, Research Fellow, University of Bristol (Chairman of the Panel), Robin Brown, V.P. Head of Specific Design Work and Site Co-ordinator of Centre of Competence Structures UK, Airbus UK, Mike Zdybel, Head of Design and Installation Engineering, Rolls-Royce, Chris Pearce, Technical and Quality Director, INBIS and Geoff Byham, Head of Engineering, Westland Helicopters. On the right is Tim Bartley, also of Westland Helicopters, the WAC Committee Chairman, who “MC’d” the event.

Find out more about the Western Aerospace Centre here.

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