24 hours inside French aerospace with the MAA

Midlands Aerospace Alliance members joined MAA chief executive Dr Andrew Mair to open new links to Europe at the second TransNetAero event for European aerospace suppliers, hosted by the Normandie Aerospace Cluster and CESI (Centre des études supérieures industrielles) in Rouen, France.

Twenty participants from regions in Belgium, France, Germany, Netherlands, Switzerland -- and the Midlands -- networked for an evening and made new contacts with:

• SNECMA (SAFRAN group) -  space propulsion (launchers and satellites) - liquid propellant engines launchers and plasma engines for satellites. meeting the Purchasing Manager and learning about the SAFRAN group supply chain
• THALES AIR SYSTEMS - radar systems for civilian and military markets: learning - from the Technology Innovation Director - about the future technologies THALES is looking for
• IRSEEM – Research Institute for Embedded Systems -- coordinates all the technology work around embedded systems for aerospace and automotive industries: learning - from the Technology Transfer Manager - how to collaborate on new technology projects  - and seeing test benches installed by Aircelle (SAFRAN group) within the premises to test new actuation systems for thrust reversers.

In addition, the visitors spent a very useful morning having B2B meetings with French aerospace suppliers.

Thales Air Systems Technology and Innovation Director addresses participants

Aircelle electric actuation rig	The B2B meetings

What is TransNetAero?

TransNetAero (Transnational Network for Aerospace) is a network of organisations in six European aerospace regions and small countries which are going to work together and share their resources so that aerospace industry suppliers in each of them can get expert support and knowledge from the others to help them be better prepared to succeed against global scale competition. The participants are Wallonia (Belgium), Normandy (France), Baden-Württemberg (Germany), the Netherlands, Switzerland and the Midlands (United Kingdom). Future events will be held in the other regions during 2013-15, -- focusing on different major customers and technology centres. For more about the TransNetAero project, click here.