The true test of whether composites can replace metals is still to come as composites are at the beginning of their evolution in terms of design and application. There is no question that composites are here to stay but the debate is in what quantity and how the balance will tip between the two materials.
Issues around supply chain are at the heart of this discussion as metals have a distinct advantage in this area with an established route to market, where as composites will require the supply chain to advance quite dramatically to match the demand that metals already satisfy. Both composite and metals manufacturers are optimizing their processes to demonstrate productivity gains but the jury is out on which material will gain the upper hand.
Listen in as our speakers:
- Showcase the current state of the materials issues facing the industry
- Debate the relative advantages of both composites and metals
- Evaluate the potentials of each material and future use of them in new and next generation aircraft
- Assess the current balance and co-existence of metals and composites, how this may change in the coming years, and what external factors may force the industry’s hand to select one material over another
The webinar will conclude with 20 minutes dedicated to questions and answers from the live audience.
Confirmed Presenters:
Fabienne Le Tadic – VP Global Marketing, Constellium
Fabienne Le Tadic is Vice President, Global Marketing for the Global Aerospace Transport Industry Division (Global ATI) of Constellium. She holds a masters’ degree in Econometrics and Political Science from the University of Paris Pantheon Sorbonne. She has 20 years of experience gathered in key international positions in Marketing and Sales, IS-IT and process streamlining, both in the FMCG and Healthcare sector. Now in Aerospace, her areas of expertise are B2B and scientific-based businesses generating demand processes.
Dr. Roland Thévenin, Senior Composites Expert, Airbus
Dr. Roland started his career as draftman in the early 70s and later finished his studies at the INSAT (Institut National des Sciences Appliquées de Toulouse) and Sup’ Aéro school (Toulouse, France) where he obtained an Engineering Degree in Mechanics and a Doctorate in Aeronautics.
Dr. Roland joined Airbus in 1987 and has been involved in composites since the beginning of his career there.
Roland was chair of the “Airbus Industrie” working groups about Materials/Processes, Design, Stress, Repairs to develop Harmonization, Standardization and Rationalization with many of Airbus’ partners. He also supported other departments, such as Sales & Marketing, Delivery Center, Customer Service, and the Press and Communication organizations. Furthermore, Roland contributed to international organizations such as the IATA Composite Repair Task Force and then the CACRC (Commercial Aircraft Composite Repair Committee).
Today, as Senior Expert, Roland still supports all functions in the Airbus’ new organization for anything relating to composites, but he is also, as Designated Certification Specialist (DCS), responsible for the establishment of means of compliance for the certification of the composite structures for all Airbus programs. Therefore, Roland is in charge of making all presentations to the FAA, EASA and the other local airworthiness authorities for agreement. He also represents Airbus at various forums such as the CACRC and FAA workshops and communicates Airbus’ approach/philosophy for composite applications via conferences, symposiums, and interviews for industry publications.
Juliet Trew – Events Editorial Director, Aviation Week
Juliet Trew joined Aviation Week in April 2011 and took up her current position as Events Editorial Director based in the London office. Juliet’s role entails developing aerospace and defense events in Europe, Middle East and Asia, conducting in-depth research, creating content and sourcing relevant, high level speakers. She previously spent 4 and a half years working in aviation, for Aviation Industry Conferences (now UBM Aviation), managing a portfolio of over 20 worldwide events focusing on engineering, maintenance, finance and leasing. Juliet has also worked in the financial services sector, as an Events Manager for Perfect Information, and in the public sector for Neil Stewart Associates, organizing large scale conference and exhibitions for high profile clients such as The Royal College of Midwives, Carers UK, The Nuffield Trust and Unite the Union. She graduated from Keele University with a First in English and American Studies.
Who Should Attend?
Anyone in a technical or procurement function from Airlines, Airframe MROs, and Manufacturer Organizations in the Airframe supply chain.
The event will also be of great value to aviation authorities, aircraft OEMs, technical service providers, training organizations and consultancies, and all providers of equipment and technologies to the sector.
