Abstract:

Tremendous progress in performance, efficiency and noise reduction has been made over the history of the jet engine, culminating in the new generation of engines powering the 787 and A350. The lecturer will describe the technical challenges that need to be overcome to develop future engines and ensure this progress continues. This is essential so that future generations can continue to benefit from affordable air travel. There is much further work ahead and Engineers will have a big part in developing this exciting future.

Speaker:

Richard (Ric) Parker was appointed Director of Research & Technology, Rolls-Royce Group in January 2001. He is responsible for direction and co-ordination of Research & Technology programmes across all the Rolls-Royce businesses, worldwide.

Ric joined Rolls-Royce in 1978, and has held various posts including Chief of Composites and Ceramics, Chief of Compressor Engineering, Managing Director – Compressor Systems, and Director of Engineering & Technology, Civil Aerospace.

Ric was awarded a CBE in the 2013 New Year’s Honours List for Services to Engineering. He is a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering, a Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society, a Fellow of the Institute of Physics and a Fellow of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers. Ric is a Liveryman in the Worshipful Company of Engineers.

Ric gained a BSc in Physics at Imperial College, London in 1975 and an MBA with distinction at Loughborough University in 1992. He has an Honorary EngD from Pusan National University, Korea and Doctorates in Engineering (honoris causa) from Sheffield University and Heriot Watt. He is a visiting Professor in Aerospace and Transport Technology at Loughborough University and an Honorary Professor in Materials Engineering at Birmingham University, UK.