Robert Atkinson, Futureworx Architect and Engineering Fellow, has been invited to join both the RTCA’s Special Committee 135 and the Jet Zero Council’s Zero Emissions Flight Regulatory sub group.
The RTCA (The Radio Technical Commission for Aeronautics) is a private, not-for-profit organisation encompassing companies and governments across the globe representing all facets of the air transportation industry, and has provided the foundation for virtually every modern technical advance in aviation.
The RTCA works with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to develop comprehensive, industry-vetted and endorsed standards that can be used as means of compliance with FAA regulations. Products are developed by aviation community volunteers functioning in a consensus-based, collaborative, peer-reviewed environment.
Robert joins the Special Committee 135, which maintains the RTCA DO-160 – the international standard that defines environmental test conditions and applicable test procedures and criteria for avionic equipment to determine their performance characteristics.
Commenting the RTCA Special Committee 135 producing DO-160 revision H, Robert said:
“It’s exciting to be working the RTCA and my peers to update this important standard which is used for virtually every piece of equipment on an aircraft. I’ve found that my wide experience brings a different view in many areas.”
Robert, who is currently engaged with Aerospace and Land Systems projects in addition to his Futureworx projects, will also be joining the Jet Zero Council – specifically in the Zero Emissions Flight Regulatory sub group.
The Jet Zero Council is a partnership between industry and government to bring together ministers, experts and key stakeholders, with the aim of delivering at least 10% sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) in the UK fuel mix by 2030.
It also aims to deliver zero emission transatlantic flight within a generation, driving the ambitious delivery of new technologies and innovative ways to cut aviation emissions.
To achieve this, the Jet Zero Council will focus on developing UK capabilities to deliver both net zero and zero emission technologies.
Some of the objectives of the Jet Zero Council’s Zero Emissions Flight Regulatory sub group include: identifying the international best practice to inform UK work and look to drive international best practice in relation with the National Aviation Authority Network and the International Civil Aviation Organisation; coordinating the development of a regulatory framework to enable commercialisation of zero emission aircraft; and developing a coordinated approach for regulators to enable procedures and standards for zero emission aircraft operations at airports.
Commenting on joining the Jet Zero Council Zero Emissions Flight Regulatory sub group, Robert said: “I’m looking forward to the first meeting and contributing to the regulatory framework for zero emission electric and hydrogen aircraft.”
Robert, who is a Chartered Engineer and a Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society, has a wealth of knowledge and experience in avionics maintenance, fuel, instrumentation, and aircraft design.
In the 1990s, he was part of the record-breaking Thrust SSC British jet car team developed by Richard Noble, Glynne Bowsher, Ron Ayers, and Jeremy Bliss. Thrust SSC still holds the world land speed record of 763mph set on 15 October 1997, becoming the first land vehicle to officially break the sound barrier.