Travelers are beginning to spread their wings a bit further these days as air carriers are pulling out all the stops to ease the minds and wallets of passengers who choose to fly during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Despite their eagerness to travel, some passengers may still be on the fence as far as booking their next flight is concerned. The good news is that most US airlines have created new guidelines and restructured their schedules to make travelers feel more confident.
This month, Vaughn College is highlighting five ways airlines have pivoted to make traveling a more passenger-friendly experience during the pandemic.
Ticketing
It comes as no surprise that the influx of customers seeking refunds was staggering, as travelers scrambled to cancel their existing flights that were booked prior to the pandemic striking the US in mid-March.
Here are two ways some airlines are accommodating their customers:
Loosening restrictions on vouchers and travel credits
Extending time frames for travelers to rebook their trips
Cleaning
Travelers want peace of mind when traveling by plane, especially during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Airlines have upped their game by making significant changes to their cleaning procedures to minimize the risk of passengers contracting the virus.
Here are steps some airlines are taking to maintain cleanliness on their planes:
Electrostatic spraying with disinfectant before every flight, with close attention to high-touch areas like overhead bin handles and arm rests
Deep cleaning each plane for six-to-seven hours every night, from back-to-front
Holding flights if airline personnel feels cabin is not clean enough prior to boarding
On the ground experience
A smooth experience in the air begins with a positive experience on the ground. Travelers have been seeing significant changes at airports as they navigate through the coronavirus pandemic. Here are safety measures some travelers may notice which could help reduce the spread of the virus:
Plexiglass shields at check-in counters and gates
Frequent sanitation of touch points, including kiosks
Touch-free transit, using mobile boarding passes
Use of electrostatic spraying in the gate areas and jet bridges to help keep pre- and post-flight process areas sanitized
Back-to-front boarding or limited number of passengers boarding at once
For the lounges that are open, travelers should expect a “scaled-back” experience such as limited capacity, disposable glassware and pre-packaged snacks
Onboard experience
If you haven’t flown in a while, you can expect changes to the onboard experience. Aside from the mandatory mask requirement, passengers may be noticing other significant changes including:
Blocked middle seats on larger aircraft, and aisle seats on smaller ones
Reduced passenger capacity
Limited passenger and flight attendant interactions
Refreshments may be provided in individually sealed bags only
Loyalty
Loyalty is more important now than ever before when it comes to airlines supporting their loyal fliers. Here is how some airlines with loyalty programs are supporting their members:
Extending the elite status
Earning bonuses via credit card spending
We hope this glimse into what airlines are doing today during the pandemic will help you prepare for your next flight.
Are you interested in a futureproof career? For over 85 years, Vaughn College has been training people from all walks of life to work in the aviation field. From pilots and air traffic controllers to aircraft maintenance mechanics and engineers, Vaughn offers the degrees that can give you a competitive edge in some of today’s hottest markets. Discover all that’s possible with an exciting career in engineering and technology, management or aviation.Apply today.
Since the coronavirus pandemic struck the United States earlier this year, engineers and technologists have remained in high demand. Dice, a leading technology career hub which connects employers with skilled technology professionals, analyzed the job positions and skills that rose highest in demand between February and March of 2020.
According to the results of the Dice Tech Job Report*, the need for technologists is more critical than ever, as technology plays a key role in making this unexpected transition to a remote workplace a smooth and successful one.
Why techies are critical employees
Source: Labor Insight Jobs (Burning Glass Technologies)
The shift from businesses operating from their headquarters to a remote workplace had employers— almost overnight—examining their remote frameworks. Technologists were needed just as quickly to execute critical components to expedite the widespread conversion.
Here are some examples of how businesses pivoted to maintain communication and operations between employees and clients:
Meetings became video calls (Zoom being one of the most popular)
Conferences turned into webinars
Conversations shifted to instant messaging
To keep business flowing as usual, engineers and tech professionals were needed to work behind the scenes to meet the demands of a changing world and workplace. Here are a few job titles of the tech professionals needed to make all of this happen:
Engineers
Cloud architects
Systems administrators
Cybersecurity experts
Application designers/developers
And, here are two critical components that tech professionals addressed to keep the remote workplace running smoothly:
Ensuring remote frameworks and infrastructure are secure
Ensuring employees had reliable connectivity to work from outside the office
Where the jobs are
Source: Labor Insight Jobs (Burning Glass Technologies)
Technology, or tech giants, consulting agencies and government contractors top the list of tech employers who were hiring during the first quarter of 2020, according to the Dice report. This is great news for Vaughn College students who are currently pursuing engineering degrees, as Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman and the Boeing Company fall among the list of the top 25 tech companies listed in the Dice report.
Read about Vaughn graduate Atif Saeed ’20 who started a job at Lockheed Martin this summer working as a mechanical engineer.
Engineers and tech professionals may be interested to learn that between February and March of this year, online retail giant Amazon increased its technology job postings by 110 percent—looking specifically for software developers and network engineers. This comes as no surprise since consumers used Amazon as an alternative to shopping at grocery stores and other essential retailers during the lockdown. Walmart increased its technology postings by 64 percent in March—in addition to the 150,000 employees they pledged to hire—and specifically sought to hire software developers and project managers.
Source: Labor Insight Jobs (Burning Glass Technologies)
According to the Dice report, different states showed varying growth, depending on how each state reacted to the COVID-19 lockdown. In New York, for example, the state was quick to enforce a stricter “stay at home” order, compared to other states that were slower to require that non-essential employees work remotely.
Shift in job postings due to pandemic
Cybersecurity engineering jobs topped the list of having the most uptick in job postings, according to the Dice report. Cybersecurity engineering job postings surged by 20 percent during February and March of this year, as businesses took a proactive approach to combating pandemic-themed phishing and cyber-attacks. System engineers were also in demand, having placed at 11 percent, and showing a clear indication that companies were concerned with maintaining their network and computer infrastructure.
Discover a futureproof career at Vaughn
The job outlook for the engineering and technology fields remains bright, and will remain so, despite the recent surge in demand during the pandemic. If your passion lies within these futureproof fields, then now is the time to capture this opportunity by earning your engineering and technology degree from Vaughn College.
Job numbers are on the rise as the economy begins to open up after the economic shutdown due to COVID-19. Throughout the pandemic, several industries actually saw a rise in demand as they became an essential part of assisting in critical operations.
This month, Vaughn College is spotlighting three industries that are thriving during these uncertain times. The exciting news is how the College’s futureproof degrees in engineering and technology, management and aviation are showing their value, even during a pandemic, as some of these essential industries made the list. Read on to learn more about them. We have even matched up the degree you will need to land the job. Which one suits you?
Cargo Aviation
The air cargo market has seen a recent surge in demand, as airfreight and cargo companies have become an essential part of transporting medical supplies and other life-saving equipment during the coronavirus pandemic. According to a recent market report—“Global Air Cargo Market 2020-2024”—released last month by Technavio (a global technology research and advisory company), the air cargo market is expected to grow by 16.75 million tons during the four-year time frame. It is reported that an increase in e-commerce sales has been a key factor in driving the growth of the cargo aviation market. Airlines that include The Emirates Group, United Parcel Service (UPS) Inc., Delta Air Lines, FedEx Corp., and others are among the market participants.
Boeing is also finding its way back to the runways as the revival of the air cargo market is fueling new deals for its cargo planes. With three different types of cargo jets and converted passenger-to-cargo planes in its fleet, the company is receiving orders from delivery service giants like UPS and FedEx.
Closer to home, Vaughn’s long-term relationship with Atlas Air has resulted in several alumni landing internships and ultimately full-time positions with this renowned aviation cargo company. Karen Batson ’04, Vaughn alumna and adjunct faculty member, has been instrumental in hiring more than 30 of the College’s graduates to work at Atlas Air because she knows how Vaughn prepares graduates for the aviation field and successful careers. Last year, Vaughn honored William J. Flynn, chair of the board and chief executive officer of Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings, Inc. at their annual gala that celebrates professionals in the industry. In his speech, Flynn stated: “Ten percent of our workforce in our New York headquarters are Vaughn College graduates. Many more graduates work elsewhere across our company. Several of our employees are now teaching at Vaughn. And countless more have mentored Vaughn students through our ongoing internship program. The work that Vaughn is doing is so critical to propelling this industry forward. Vaughn is developing some of the best and brightest minds in the workforce today.”
Interested in working in cargo aviation? Vaughn offers the following degree that could land you a job in the field. Which will you choose?
The urgent demand for medical technology during the pandemic has placed engineers front and center, as their skills and knowledge continue to play a significant role in patient care. From building life-saving ventilators to managing and tracking medical technology in hospitals, engineers are proving to be more essential now than ever before. Biomedical engineers, along with engineers who specialize in the mechatronic or robotics field, are also making their marks.
The use of robotic technology is on the rise, aiding the medical profession in ways that we once thought of as futuristic possibilities. Robots are stepping up in a big way as COVID-19 has shifted us from being a “hands-on” society to a “touchless” one. In fact, it’s believed the longest lasting effect of the coronavirus will be the use of automation. So, what does this all mean? To reduce human exposure in high-touch areas, robots are being used to disinfect and deliver goods and services, among other tasks. Additionally, robotics technologies are being valued for their profitability and are now viewed as critical components in a company’s infrastructure, similar to the way organizations may see computers and other key infrastructure.
Do you have a passion for robotics and engineering? Vaughn offers New York’s first bachelor of science degree program in mechatronic engineering, a unique curriculum that combines mechanical, electrical and computer engineering. This degree program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission (EAC) of ABET (abet.org).
In addition to robotics, Vaughn offers several engineering and technology degrees that can set you on a path to a futureproof career. Are you ready to join one of the world’s fastest growing fields? See which one is right for you?
Most of us do not think about how we get our electricity. We just flip a switch and expect it to be there. With the majority of us under quarantine and working from home due to the coronavirus, the demand for electricity is higher than ever. Utility workers have always had an essential role in our daily lives. Add a pandemic to the mix, and their roles are even greater.
Vaughn College’s Aviation Training Institute can prepare you for a high-paying career as a certified airframe and powerplant technician. Did you know there are many reasons to launch a career in aviation maintenance? Aviation maintenance technicians have well-rounded knowledge and skills to work in a variety of fields. And those who are trained with an airframe and powerplant certification can work on any turbine engine. This valuable skill opens the doors to work on aircraft, trains and automobiles, and in power generation for electric, solar and wind companies.
Are you interested in working in the utility industry? Vaughn offers programs that can help you secure a job in the field.
In these times of uncertainty, one thing is certain. Now is the time to set yourself on a path to a futureproof career. See how a degree from Vaughn College can get your there. Apply today.
The friendly skies are quieter these days, as the coronavirus crisis has lessened the demand for air travel. While airlines are reporting a new record low in terms of recent air traffic, there is good news on the horizon that shows airlines and travelers are striving to get back on track.
One unanticipated impact that COVID-19 has had on the airline industry is the increased demand for cargo carriers, like Atlas Air. Air freight demand is up, reflecting the important role chartered cargo plays in maintaining the flow of goods in the best of times, and now in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. Aviation and management degrees from Vaughn College are proving a valuable resource amidst the pandemic, as several alumni and recent grads are employed by Atlas Air and in other cargo-related positions within the industry. With the proper training students receive at Vaughn, combined with the boost in relief dollars from stimulus relief package, the future is looking bright for students who are seeking a futureproof career in the aviation industry.
Stimulus Relief Package
On March 27, 2020, President Donald J. Trump signed into law the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (or CARES) Act as an emergency response to the coronavirus pandemic. The $2 trillion stimulus package includes appropriations to aid the airline industry, transit agencies and related infrastructure. What does this all mean? Here is how it breaks down.
Construction
Of the $339.9 billion in appropriations included in the CARES Act, the Engineering News Record estimates more than $40 billion could be eligible for construction. It will be up to the states, localities and other aid recipients, however, to determine the distribution between operations and construction in certain cases. As it stands, the stimulus bill allocates $25 billion for “transit infrastructure grants,” but it states funds can be used for transit agencies’ “operating expenses related to the response to a coronavirus public health emergency.” Agencies could be seeing an additional benefit as these funds may help with lost revenue from sharp declines in ridership.
Airlines and The Aviation Industry
The CARES Act sets aside $61 billion in funding and loans for the airline and aviation industry. Of that allocation, the airlines will see $29 billion—with $25 billion going for passenger carriers and $4 billion for cargo airlines. Aviation contractors will see support of $3 billion.
Airports
Airports across the country are earmarked to share in $10 billion in Airport Improvement Program (AIP) grants, which will provide them much needed relief amidst the coronavirus pandemic. In the past, AIP was used to fund runway work and other infrastructure. To provide additional relief, the CARES Act expands the $10 billion for “any purpose for which airport revenues may lawfully be used”—including non-infrastructure purposes. According to American Association of Airport Executives President and CEO, Todd Hauptli, although some of the $10 billion may be used to finance construction, the funds “will help keep people at work, avoid defaults on bonds, allow critical projects to continue and assist with recovery efforts that will be massive over time.”
Closer to home
Parts of the $8 billion rebuilding project at LaGuardia Airport were halted in March when dozens of construction workers contracted the coronavirus, thus sending an unknown number of workers into quarantine after potential exposure. Governor Andrew Cuomo said despite the worker shortage, it was vital that construction at LaGuardia Airport continue.
You should know that the future of air travel and the aviation industry is bright and will bounce back quickly, especially with the additional funding and grants coming in. By the time a four-year degree program is completed, the industry is predicted to be back to where it was pre-pandemic. You can learn more about Vaughn College, its programs, student life, financial aid and more by viewing the recorded presentations from our Virtual Open House.
Amazon customers may soon be priming for a special delivery. And, it’s not about what they ordered but how it’s being delivered. Amazon unveiled its Prime Air delivery drone last summer, which has left consumers and drone enthusiasts on the edge of their seats.
If this sounds familiar, it is. The internet retailer has been improving on its drone technology over the years to bring its next-generation electric drone closer to the skies and to your doorstep. Who knows? It may be at your home sooner than you think.
Latest design
Named the “MK27,” Amazon’s delivery drone service Prime Air is breaking barriers over the more than two dozen drone designs the company has tested in the past. This new “hybrid design” can show off its moves by taking off and landing vertically, like a helicopter, and flying horizontally and aerodynamically, like an airplane. This latest advancement is considered to make this drone safer, more efficient and more stable since it operates on six degrees of movement instead of four. Watch the video to see for yourself.
Safety factor
You may have some questions about how the Amazon drone delivery service can navigate around obstacles, let alone on its own. Here’s how: Artificial Intelligence (AI), combined with some pretty cool technology and features, allows the delivery drone to operate more autonomously. Thermal cameras, depth cameras and sonar are used to detect hazards while onboard computers are programmed to automatically identify obstacles and navigate around them. For example, Prime Air drones will be able to detect people, animals and even wires or backyard clotheslines. Even more impressive is the drone’s ability make appropriate moves and delivery decisions based on changes in the environment, either while in transit or if it encounters a moving object. Amazon took drone safety one step further by protecting the drone’s rotors with covers, which serve as wings during sustained flight. The company said that in addition to acting as a safety feature, the rotor covers allow for a more dynamic and faster flight.
Delivery capabilities
Amazon is working hard toward its goal to design a drone with a 15-mile range that can deliver packages under five pounds within 30 minutes. If you’re thinking that limits deliveries to small packages, you’re correct. But did you know that 75 to 90 percent of items purchased on Amazon are under five pounds?
On the horizon
As exciting as the thought may be of having an Amazon drone delivery service deliver a package to your home, there’s still no definitive timeframe on when it will happen. Over the years, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has approved Amazon drones for test flights; however, regulations require each new prototype to have a special airworthiness certificate. Additionally, Amazon is still faced with overcoming certain social and technological obstacles, which include drone noise and the challenges of flying in inclement weather (e.g., rain or snow). The good news is the company is working hard on making drone delivery a reality. When that will happen, is up in the air.
Are you interested in the aviation industry, or learning how to design and build an unmanned aerial vehicle? Discover all that’s possible with an engineering degree from Vaughn College.
At some point in time, you may have heard the expression―“It’s not rocket science!”―in relation to a subject. For most of us, the vastness of outer space, the building of spaceships, space travel and planet exploration can be a mind-blowing topic and a hard one to wrap our heads around. Yes, in this case, rocket science does come into play. And, yes, it’s a difficult job. But for gaming and space engineering enthusiasts, the virtual reality of being a space engineer and experiencing it all is only weeks away. After five years, the wait is almost over for the release of the highly anticipated voxel-based sandbox game―Space Engineers for Xbox.
This month, Vaughn College explores the exciting roles aerospace engineers (aka ‘space engineers’) play in the world of spacecraft design and the science and technology behind it all. See how the work of real-life space engineers plays into the virtual reality of the upcoming launch of Space Engineers for Xbox.
What is a space engineer?
Space engineers are professionals who design and build machines that fly. They solve practical problems in space and on planets by applying scientific knowledge, in-depth skills and an understanding of mathematics, physics, aerodynamics and materials science—not to mention manufacturing ingenuity. Over the years, two specialty areas of engineering emerged: aeronautical and astronautical. Here are the differences between the two:
Aeronautical engineering involves designing aircraft that flies within Earth’s atmosphere. Some examples include powered lighter-than-air craft gliders, fixed-wing airplanes, jets and helicopters.
Astronautical engineering focuses on the science and technology of spacecraft that fly outside of Earth’s atmosphere. These engineers work on the design and development of the spacecraft.
Together, space engineers design aircraft, spacecraft, satellites and missiles, along with the components and subassemblies which include engines, airframes, wings, landing gear, control systems and instruments. When these engineers have completed designing these crafts, they are responsible for testing prototypes to ensure they function according to plan. Virtual testing of engines, wings and control surfaces is a true gamechanger, as computer simulations are having a great impact on projecting how aircraft and spacecraft will perform under different conditions. Using computer-aided design (CAD) allows for a more seamless process in drafting and modification of designs and 3D visualization.
Space Engineers for Xbox
Speaking of visualization, imagine yourself in outer space. You are building spaceships or traveling through space to explore the planets. Space Engineers for Xbox is the latest gaming phenomenon that virtually places gamers in the middle of the action. In this game, each player’s astronaut is referred to as a “Space Engineer.” The game designers must apply real-life aeronautical engineering concepts, physics and volumetricity to make the game realistic. This is vital as players build their own spaceships, space stations and planetary outposts.
The game is designed around surviving in space and on the planets using engineering, construction and exploration. It’s all about reality and how things work. Here are some cool features and tasks you can practice:
Using a hand drill to mine an asteroid for resources
Adding new components to an existing structure
Working from the cockpit of a small ship
It was paramount to the game’s designers to follow the laws of physics and not use any science and technology that may not be possible in the future. Did you know the construction toys LEGO® and LEGO® TECHNIC served as inventor Marek Rosa’s inspiration to design this game?
Here are more fun facts about Space Engineers for Xbox:
Releases on April 15, 2020
Four million copies have been sold so far
Can be played as a survival shooter as well as construction and exploration aspects
Are you interested in a futureproof career in engineering with an aeronautical focus? See how an engineering degree from Vaughn College can set you on a journey to success.
Artificial intelligence (AI) is proving to be a real game changer in the aerospace industry as engineers are implementing various AI applications that are having a positive impact on aerospace. From manufacturing to customer relations, there’s nothing artificial about these changes that are making a real difference.
We’d like to take a closer look at the ways AI is impacting the aerospace industry and what it means for the future.
Streamlining the process
There are―literally―several moving parts to aerospace engineering. From the design process and prototyping to budgeting and manufacturing, artificial intelligence is setting the pace for streamlining design and manufacturing systems over the next 15 years.
Lightweight and sturdy parts
Think about it. Lighter airplane parts make for more efficient flying. The use of AI algorithms combined with generative design is helping designers develop new parts that are both lightweight and sustainable. Add in the use of 3D printing with AI-enabled generative design and you have a more efficient way to supply airplane generators and wings.
Here are some additional advantages of using artificial intelligence in the production design process. The use of AI can:
Perform inspections faster and more efficiently
Preserve gas
Improve operational effectivity
Improve proficiency of supply chain management, thanks to automated data
Be more economical
Research collected information from sensors that gather information―like temperature and moisture―and pinpoint faulty plane parts beforehand.
Fuel Reduction
Conserving fuel is a major concern in the aerospace industry. With almost 100,000 flights in the air every day across the globe, it’s no wonder experts are looking for ways to reduce gas consumption. Did you know industry forecasters estimated the global commercial aircraft industry could tap out at a record-breaking 97 billion (that’s billion with a “b”) gallons of fuel in 2019?
Previously, we mentioned how the use of AI―together with the assistance of 3D printing―can fabricate lightweight parts. This process, in turn, reduces fuel consumption. Now, let’s take that one step further. Airplanes use the most fuel on the climb. Experts say AI-created climb stage profiles can be created by using artificial intelligence models to analyze how much fuel is used by pilots during the climb phase. These profiles can then help streamline fuel usage so that pilots can adequately preserve fuel during flights. Less fuel means cleaner skies.
Simulator training
Pilots are gaining valuable training through AI simulators, combined with virtual reality frameworks. Here are a few cool ways AI is improving pilot training on the ground to keep us safer in the skies:
Pilots get a progressively realistic simulation experience
Training information is gathered and analyzed
AI used in a cockpit can improve a flightpath by:
Evaluating and alerting information on fuel levels
Determining framework status
Reporting climate conditions and other vital parameters
Safety
It goes without saying that safety is of the highest priority in the airplane industry. Artificial intelligence plays a significant role in keeping everyone safe by providing efficient options. Here are some of these options:
At the airport, AI-enabled cameras use facial recognition to identify suspicious individuals. (Some programs may even provide photographs of individuals with felony data.)
AI-enabled cameras can be used to detect malicious activity in the airport.
Threats and dangers can be detected by utilizing AI in machine studying and geospatial sign processing, as well as by the use of photographs and movies extracted from aerial automobiles and satellites.
Customer experience
There are two words that come to mind in regard to consumers: customer satisfaction and loyalty. The airline industry knows this. With their competition flying past them in the skies, it’s up to the particular airlines to rise above their competitors when it comes to making their customers happy. But is using artificial intelligence really the answer? You would think customers would want human interaction, but the latest statistics show otherwise. AI-enabled chatbots (yes, chatbots) are today’s latest conversation starters. Chatbots are digital devices that simulate conversation with human users and answer any requests and questions in real time. Here’s how the current use of chatbots breaks down by location and industry:
Aircraft—14 percent
Airport terminals—9 percent
Future use in airline industry—68 percent of airlines want to utilize AI-driven chatbots
Emirates Vacations, part of Emirates Airlines, saw an 87 percent expansion in the engagement of chatbot-incorporated advertisements following a 30-day trial campaign when compared to standard advertisements.
As fascinating a role AI plays in our daily lives, it’s important to remember that it takes the knowledge and skill of humans to make it all possible.
“Star Wars” fans are encountering a galactic flight experience after United Airlines unveiled its “Star Wars”-themed Boeing 737-800 aircraft in November to celebrate the franchise’s highly anticipated final chapter, “Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker,” which opened in December 2019.
Joining Forces
United Airlines joined forces with the “Star Wars” franchise to promote the epic conclusion of the Skywalker saga. The airline upped their game for its MileagePlus members by offering them the opportunity to use their miles to bid on and buy exclusive “Star Wars”-themed items and experiences. To round out the partnership, United Airlines recruited some of its employees to star in a “Star Wars”-themed commercial which aired through January 2020.
An “Out-of-This-Galaxy” Experience
The airline pulled out all the stops to give “Star Wars” fans a fun “out-of-this-galaxy” experience, both on and off the plane. As part of the newest plane in the United Airlines fleet, the exterior of this unique aircraft has a new paint design depicting the “Star Wars” galaxy which captures the imagery of the X-wing and TIE fighter starships. There are even different colored lightsabers painted on each side of the tail depicting the two alliances. Pretty cool stuff!
The interior of the plane sets the mood for an exciting onboard experience. Passengers are welcomed aboard while the movie’s iconic soundtrack plays in the background—setting the tone for things to come. As passengers approach their seats, it’s hard to miss the headrests embossed with the film’s dueling factions, the Resistance and the First Order. The inflight safety video demonstration has never been so fun, as passengers are instructed by characters from the new film, along with some of the most beloved “Star Wars” favorites such as Yoda and Chewbacca. There’s even a plaque signifying the relationship between United Airlines and “Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker,” and passengers receive a themed amenity kit, too!
The Saga Continues
Attention all Jedis: Be on the lookout as the United “Star Wars” plane makes its way through the airline’s galaxy covering the United States, Canada, Central America and the Caribbean. Unable to book a flight? You can try catching a glimpse of the unique aircraft at the airport by tracking its movements―as well as past and future flights―on FlightAware, considered to be the world’s largest online tracking platform. Simply enter the plane’s tail number—N36272—and look for the X-Wing starship on the tracking map.
The possibility of having a 3D-printed component placed in the human body is here. Today, the advancement of 3D printing is revolutionizing the medical industry, allowing medical professionals to create patient-specific devices such as prosthetics, dental restorations and even orthopedic and cranial implants more efficiently, quickly and economically. The flexibility in this emerging technology is a true gamechanger as it makes these devices more accessible to patients.
Picture perfect
The precision and flexibility of 3D printing enables designers to customize the parts for fitting perfectly with each patient’s anatomy. The ability to create these devices quickly and efficiently for an affordable cost gives doctors and patients more healthcare options.
Here are some examples of medical 3D printing applications:
Detailed models of organs, bones and blood cells now allow doctors and nurses to study patients from all angles
Surgical guides to provide surgeons with extreme precision
Here are some benefits of medical 3D printing:
Customization—Parts can be shaped to perfectly fit a patient’s anatomy.
Sterilization—Most materials used can be sterilized by steam autoclave or gamma radiation.
Speed—Hospitals can use on-demand 3D manufacturing for quick turnaround time.
Cost—Custom medical devices such as prosthetics and implants cost considerably less.
What is 3D printing?
The process of 3D printing involves creating three-dimensional solid objects from a digital file by laying down layers of material—one on top of the other—until the final object is created.
How the parts are made
For the medical industry, imaging processes and detailed scanning are necessary steps for the creation of 3D-printed components. First, laser scanning is used to take detailed images of the patient’s surface. Then, MRI imaging and CT scanning are performed to see cross-sectional images of bones and tissues. Once the imaging has been completed, specialized software turns the images into complete models that can be used for 3D printing.
Emerging global market
Did you know the medical industry accounts for about 13 percent of all 3D-printing revenue? The numbers get even better.
According to Technavio, a leading global market research company, the market for 3D-printing medical devices is forecasted to grow at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of more than 23 percent by 2023. This impressive momentum and projected growth are driven by many factors which include an increased focus on research and development to improve upon existing devices and for designing new combinations of 3D-printed medical devices.
On the horizon
As medical 3D printing continues to make its mark in the industry, scientists are in the early stages of researching a more far-reaching possibility—the manufacture of living organs such as a heart or liver using the 3D-printing process. The hope of this becoming a reality at one time in the future opens a realm of life-saving possibilities for patients around the world who may not have had a second chance at life.
Vaughn is in the game
Vaughn College is at the forefront of 3D-printing technology, thanks to a 3D-prototyping innovation center that was opened a few years ago. It is equipped with 15 3D printers and two 3D scanners which provide students with hands-on opportunities to transform their concepts into physical objects. Students in the College’s unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) club and robotics club are doing just that—using 3D printers to make parts for their drones and competitive robots.
The reality of electric airplanes may be closer than you think. Earlier this month at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s (NASA) Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards Air Force Base, NASA unveiled the X-57 “Maxwell,” the agency’s first experimental electric aircraft and NASA’s first manned X-plane in 20 years.
The X-Factor
Electric propulsion technology is the driving force behind the advance of this new era of aviation that can make planes quieter, more efficient and more environmentally friendly. NASA’s aeronautical innovators are on the cusp of demonstrating these revolutionary aviation milestones. Here are a few of the ways the NASA X-57 will accomplish these advancements and address some of today’s pressing passenger concerns. The X-57 will:
Be powered solely by batteries, eliminating carbon emissions
Demonstrate how demand could lower the need for the lead-based aviation fuel which is currently being used today
Reduce noise levels compared to conventional piston engines
Be equipped with a specially designed wing and 14 electric motors
Reduce flight times and fuel usage
Reduce overall operating costs for small aircraft by 40 percent
Vaughn students stay ahead of industry trends and learn about these types of advancements by hearing from the several industry experts from a variety of influential companies such as Airbus and Pratt & Whitney who come to the College to speak on topics such as these. Vaughn also hosts several internship, career and graduate fairs throughout the year, so there are many opportunities for networking and planning for future careers. Vaughn also sponsors student club and association trips to engineering, technology, management and aviation conferences where students present research, learn about technical advances and create connections for potential job opportunities. Check out the events and news pages for upcoming events and happenings at the college.
Years in the making
NASA’s X-planes date back almost 75 years to the invention of the Bell X-1, which put supersonic flight on the map. Since then, X-planes have been used by NASA, the US Air Force and other government agencies to explore the flight mechanics of vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL), movable wings and other aviation advancements.
In 2015, NASA began its journey working on the X-57, but not in a way you might imagine. Instead of building the plane from the ground up, NASA started modifying an Italian twin-engine propeller plane called Tecnam P2006T. You might be wondering why they chose to use a small propeller plane for such a groundbreaking task. The reason lies in how the aerodynamics proved to be more favorable for an electric airplane that uses propellers.
There’s no denying the modification of the NASA X-57 is an exciting experience, but that’s just one piece of the equation. What about training the pilots to fly an electric airplane? NASA flight control engineers and technicians developed an interactive X-57 simulator at their Armstrong Flight Research Center in California to provide pilots with a virtual flight experience based on what the X-57 would feel like in the air. This simulator experience prepared pilots for future X-57 flight-testing phases and helped familiarize them with reaction times and maneuvers.
Taking it one step at a time
The X-57 Maxwell project consists of four configurations and stages of research distinguished by specific modifications. Currently, the X-57 is in its “Mod II” configuration that features the first all-electric flight hardware. The third phase began at the same time as Mod II to take the X-57 to a new level of electric-powered flight. Some of the most notable and noticeable changes from the Mod II configuration include:
Using electric cruise motors to replace the two combustion motors that were in the original aircraft
Development and integration of an experimental high-speed ratio wing
Reduction in wing area, which contributes to more efficient cruise flight through decreasing friction drag
With the Mod III configuration currently in the works, it’s all about the wing. This upgrade will make space for additional electric propellers and a high-aspect-ratio design to allow the current pair of electric motors to move the wingtips. The final product will feature six small propellers on each wing to be situated on the leading edge along with a larger propeller at the tip.
Nearing the launch
The X-57 hasn’t taken to the skies yet, but NASA says it’s ready for its debut and is hoping to fly it in its final configuration by late 2020. Although the X-57 won’t be as fast and have the ability to fly the same long distances as traditional aircraft, the agency says the electric airplane’s range is suitable for short flights that will be quieter and more efficient.
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