Proposal for a EU quality label for aerospace education

The paper presents a possible roadmap for the definition of a European quality label for aerospace related higher education degrees. The proposal is the result of a two-years long Horizon 2020 project that has involved a great portion of the European stakeholders in aerospace: Universities, research centres, industries (both small and large) networks, associations and accreditation agencies. The core concept established is that it is possible to establish a sector-specific, content based, quality system, that can complement the existing national or European accreditation systems, providing added value to the internal and/or external quality assurance processes that are in place in most EU countries. The tools and processes proposed are sufficiently simple to be manageable by Universities in addition to their national accreditation processes or as stand-alone assessment. The main goal of the proposed process is the evaluation of the quality of the aerospace curricula in the European context, whereas the accreditation of the programme can be seen as an optional extension of the process, subject to further national regulations. The process is proposed in view of the awarding of a sector-specific, content based, quality label, to be issued by an appropriate legally recognized and qualified institution. 8 field tests with volunteering universities throughout Europe have been performed. They experienced the method as very practical and to the point.Unión Europea H2020 64021

STR: a student developed star tracker for the ESA-LED ESMO moon mission

In the frame of their engineering degree, ISAE’s students are developing a Star Tracker, with the aim of being the core attitude estimation equipment of the European Moon Student Orbiter. This development goes on since several years and is currently in phase B. We intend to start building an integrated breadboard for the end of the academic year. The STR is composed of several sub-systems: the optical and detection sub-system, the electronics, the mechanics and the software. The optical detection part is based on an in-house developed new generation of APS detectors. The optical train is made of several lenses enclosed in a titanium tube. The electronics includes a FPGA for the pre-processing of the image and a microcontroller in order to manage the high level functions of the instrument. The mechanical part includes the electronics box, as well as the sensor baffle. The design is optimized to minimize the thermo-elastic noise of the assembly. Embedded on ESMO platform, this Star Tracker will be able to compute the satellite‘s attitude, taking into account the specific requirements linked to a Moon mission (illumination, radiation requirements and baffle adaptation to lunar orbit). In order to validate the design, software end-to-end simulation will include a complete simulation of the STR in its lunar dynamic environment. Therefore, we are developing a simple orbital model for the mission (including potential dazzling by celestial bodies)

An Examination of Online Discussions in Higher Education: Leveraging Technology to Increase Learner Engagement and Collaboration

The online learning environment continues to evolve, seeking to meet the needs of students and researchers alike. The role of discussion boards in this process, however, continues to be an area of concern and research, particularly in aviation and aerospace higher education. While it has been argued that convenience should not replace quality, scholarship shows that many online discussion boards fail to achieve the intended transfer and collaborative construction of knowledge among students, which is of utmost importance for the education of aviation and aerospace professionals. Research also suggests that learner engagement and collaboration are necessary in order to achieve the highest standards of academic quality in this environment. The role of technology, however, may provide opportunities to address current challenges and inadequacies with online discussion boards. This research study evaluated the extent to which the inclusion of audio technology in online discussion boards enhanced learner engagement and collaboration, thereby enhancing the intended transfer of knowledge. Using Edward Deming’s Plan, Do, Check, Act (PDCA) cycle for continuous improvement as the framework, an experimental research approach was taken, utilizing surveys from both students and instructors. The use of an experimental and control group was used to determine the extent to which the inclusion of audio technology, specifically VoiceThread, enhanced learner engagement and collaboration in the online learning environment

Smart gateways for terabit/s satellite

To reach the terabit per second of throughput, telecommunication satellites cannot make use of frequency below Ka band only. Therefore, the use of broad portion of the spectrum available at Q/V (40/50 GHz) band is foreseen for the feeder link. This study presents the evaluation of performances of different macro-diversity schemes that may allow mitigating the deep fades experienced at Q/V bands by introducing cooperation and a limited redundancy between the different gateways of the system. Two different solutions are firstly described. The performances resulting from the use of those assumptions are derived in a second stage

A Comparison of Safety Management Systems Training Methods at a Collegiate Flight-Training Institution

The purpose of this thesis was to compare how two different types of Safety Management Systems (SMS) training affect SMS knowledge in instructors and students in a university flight program. Additionally, the research sought to determine whether a correlation exists between safety knowledge and safety culture perception. An experimental research design was used to study two independent variables, training method and person type, and their effect of SMS knowledge. A non-experimental design was used to study the correlation between safety knowledge and safety culture perception. Research has shown that a safety-training program’s engagement level has an effect on the safety knowledge retained by trainees. This study sought to determine if higher-engagement, live- presentation training is a better approach to SMS training than a computer-based training module currently in use by the university studied. The results of this study can provide the university with useful guidance in constructing its SMS training program, an essential element to an effective SMS. Additionally, this study can demonstrate the importance of safety training in establishing positive perceptions of the university’s safety culture among students and instructors

The challenges of managing degree apprentices in the workplace: a manager’s perspective

This paper explores the issues and challenges facing employers as they manage degree apprentices in the workplace. It examines the relationship between managers and apprentices undertaking a work-based degree. This research is of particular relevance at this time because of the UK government’s initiative to expand the number of apprenticeships in the workplace to three million new starts by 2020 inevitably bringing a range of pressures to bear on employers (BIS, 2015). The purpose is to share early experiences of employer management of degree apprenticeships, and provide a range of recommendations to develop and improve employer and HEI practice. This paper combines desk research with qualitative data drawn from interviews with a range of cross-sector organisations to investigate the employer’s experience of developing the new Degree Apprenticeships. The data is explored inductively using thematic analysis in order to surface dominant patterns and considers the implications of findings upon current and emerging HEI and employer practice and research. There were a number of key themes which emerged from the data collected. These included the need for effective, employer-led recruitment processes, careful management of expectations, sound HEI retention strategies, employer involvement and board level motivators to ensure organisational benefits are derived from effectively situated workplace learning and a focus upon effective, empowering mentoring and support strategies. As degree apprenticeship standards and programmes are currently at the early stages of implementation, and opportunities, funding and resourcing are rapidly changing in the context of government policy, so too will employer appetite and strategies for supporting degree apprentices, along with apprentice behaviour. This means that additional findings, beyond those highlighted within this paper may emerge in the near future. There are a number of practical implications supporting managerial development and support of degree apprentices in the workplace from this research. These are reflected in the findings, and include the development of flexible and collaborative processes, resources, mentor training and networks. This paper is one of the first published accounts of the employers’ perspective of managing a Degree Apprenticeship within the new policy context in the UK. As a result the work offers a unique insight into the emerging challenges and issues encountered by managers working with degree apprentices in the twenty first century business environment