Issue 2 2021

Flying for a NewGeneration Words by Laurence Barrett of Barrett Aerospace. Barrett Aerospace is redefining the essence of flying with the next generation of aviators, engineers, enthusiasts and possibly entrepreneurs. If there’s anything that the coronavirus pandemic has taught us, it is that change to the aviation industry is not only possible, but that it might be inevitable. During the turmoil of 2020, our team pondered on the future of aviation. What would be the next big thing in flying, would we start to see autonomous ‘pilotless’ aircrafts, and could pizza really be delivered directly to our homes by drones? An itch to scratch on future aviation. As conventional aerospace business slowed, Barrett Aerospace has begun to investigate an itching curiosity on the future of aviation. Perhaps this was disguised as strategic planning, but for us it was a far more exciting conundrum. Last August we initiated our first UAV (Unmanned Air Vehicle) Enthusiast Workshop. This workshop was conceived as a thinking cauldron. It was assembled with enthusiasts from diverse backgrounds. Starting in Singapore, the workshop soon had members from India, United Kingdom, Czech Republic and USA. On Saturdays, young and old alike, would gather in a socially distanced group, or via virtual conferencing too. The workshop flourishes on a shared passion in aviation, one that charts towards a new aviation future. Naysayers aplenty, until it’s achieved. Many within the aviation industry have a cultish disdain for pilotless aircraft, they often say an electric aircraft is neither safe, or operationally effective as a form of air travel. This is despite the fact that trains, trams and now cars can operate with full autonomy. All rather boringly, but thankfully with very few incidents. At Barrett Aerospace we can deduce that there is a very compelling reason that guarantees the future success of autonomy in aviation. Simply put, the technology already exists today and we’re using it. Computer processing is now so compact, reliable and cheap, that it can perform thousands of discrete aircraft adjustments in a blink of an eye. Today’s UAV technology enables almost any dreamt creation to fly. To boldly go where no man can go Not only will these technologies supplant human intervention, but it can offer a vast improvement. The latest UAV systems can see the world in infra-red, distinguish between thousands of colours, operate 24/7 and can boldly go to places that could be dangerous to people. Our company’s philosophy is rooted by data gathering, scientific research, empirical testing and an objective determination to measure the success of a system, or a UAV solution. Going back to School Our Barrett Aerospace team work with primary school children, between the ages of 10 to 12, who have little or no preconceptions of ‘things as we know them to be’. Imagine the prospect of new aircraft shapes, ingenious power systems and novel flight mechanics. Essentially all of ‘what future flight could become’, is almost entirely within a child’s imagination. Therefore we are attempting to harness this creativity in our latest designs, while giving back via teaching to promote STEM subjects, as well as encourage the natural curiosity of a child. Tea for two, but we pick it fresh! Our first UAV project is an attempt to tackle the growing hunger crisis in the world, as the demand for food is increasing from a rapidly growing global population. Thus the need to produce more from existing farmland without the need for further deforestation is our newest mission. This is called “AgriTech”, which gives developing countries the unique ability to surpass whole eras of technology and potentially become world leading in a very short space of time. Becoming a Transparent Business Barrett Aerospace is collaborating with tea planters in India while applying AgriTech to research new ways of harvesting tea. This will relieve an ageing population of “tea pluckers” that encourage their children towards education and the goal of higher earning jobs. The economic shrinkage of manual labour is a reality that agriculture worldwide needs to face up too. We are proud to say that our team has been advancing towards a number of AgriTech solutions that invariably involve UAVs. Our purpose is clear, we need to share the social responsibility of providing a better future for subsequent generations. This journey will enlighten us to new technology, different ways of applying it and maybe a couple of breakthroughs. Inspiring future aviators Barrett Aerospace remains rooted by a passion for aviation. We will enthusiastically define the aerospace technology to support it, apply the systems that will fly it with precautions and safety in mind, while empowering the people that are going to make it happen. “The future is truly ours to dream into reality.” You can follow our 2021 progress on LinkedIn and via our website www.barrettaerospace.com Jan21387