Winner 2004 Western Aerospace Centre Prize

The third annual WAC Prize Presentation Evening proved to be an outstanding success, with Salman Ansari of Cranfield University (Shrivenham) claiming first place on the winners’ podium and receiving a cheque for £500. Salman presented his paper on “Aerodynamic modelling of insect-like flapping wings for micro-air vehicle applications”. The other 3 finalists each received a cheque for £100.

The Hawthorns, University of Bristol, hosted the 2004 event on 19th April. Four written papers had previously been short-listed for the second and final element of the competition – testing the presentation skills of the authors and their ability to field questions. The papers were presented consecutively to an audience representing a broad cross-section of the aerospace engineering community – industrialists to academics – in the South West. Included in the audience were the members of the adjudicating panel, who then had the unenviable task of deciding an overall winner from what were four excellent presentations.

The purpose of the prize, awarded annually, is to stimulate and encourage continued professional development in young engineers who have already graduated with a first degree. The short-listed finalists came from both Industry and Academia and their papers covered a wide range of engineering subjects, from gas turbine engines and aerodynamics to fundamental research in magnetic microwires.

Mr Salman Ansari of Cranfield University
wins the IMechE WAC Prize for 2004

Pictured are the presenters (seated, left to right): Manh-Huong Phan (University of Bristol), James Brimble (Rolls-Royce plc), Salman Ansari (Cranfield University, Shrivenham) and Richard Guy (Frazer-Nash Consultancy). .Standing behind the presenters are the members of the adjudicating panel (left to right): Lynda Wookey (IMechE), Alan Vincent (AgustaWestland), Sandy Mitchell Chairman of the Adjudicating Panel (University of Bristol), Mike Overd and Tim Bartley Chairman WAC (both AgustaWestland), Richard Davey Chairman Western Region (Claverham Ltd), Dr Terry Chivers (Hosier Systems (Int’l) Ltd) and David Lowe Hon Secretary WAC (Lockheed Martin UK).

Salman Ansari receives his winner’s cheque
from Tim Bartley, Chairman of the WAC

Find out more about the Western Aerospace Centre here.