The Greater Peterborough Professional Bodies Group Diary 2007/2008 (to be sent soon to all IET P&H Local Network members) is where you will find details not only of the IET Huntingdon and Peterborough Sections and Peterborough Joint Panel events, but also the events of all the Institutions registering with the GPPBG, (who coordinate Institutions both engineering and non-engineering in our area).

The task of the newly formed IET committees is to ensure events run smoothly during 20007/08, and to prepare an exciting, relevant and topical series of talks, lectures and visits for the year 2007/08. You can help by forwarding your suggestions of places to go and things to see that demonstrate state-of-the-art engineering.

Non-engineers and members other institutions are also invited to attend our events, as we wish to make everyone aware of the good things that engineers do. Teenagers and budding scientists are also very welcome. You can attend any event, but out of courtesy kindly let the organizers know in advance - as it helps to estimate the numbers for catering and seating. (Please note that any individual IET member can belong to any IET Network, attend any IET lecture or be sent the details of any IET programme; see 'Branch' settings on the 'My Account' section of the IET web-site).

Visit to RAF Cottesmore, Oakham, Rutland

27^th February 2007

This was the third event of the newly formed Peterborough Section, hosted by Flight Lieutenant Paul Matthews of the Harrier Engineering Development Investigation Team within Joint Force Harrier.  The evening began with a presentation to the 21 IET Members in attendance and was followed by a visit to the hangar for a look at some aircraft.
The presentation explained the history of the Harrier’s development, right from the original Hawker P.1172 in 1960, through to the current GR.9 variant just entering service now. An overview was given of the various systems, including airframe, engine, weapons payload, avionics systems etc.
Paul described the advanced composites used within the structure of the airframe, including carbon fibre and carbon bismaleimide.  The fuselage is devoted to accommodating the Rolls Royce turbofan jet engine, the Pegasus 105.
This Pegasus 105 powerplant currently in use is giving way to the new 107 model as part of the GR9 upgrade.  Staggeringly, the blades in the new engine are ‘grown’ as single crystals of material to allow operation at higher stresses and ambient temperatures.
Weapons payload includes Paveway laser guided bombs, Maverick and Sidewinder missiles and cluster bombs, as well as ‘dumb’ 1000lb bombs.
A number of advanced avionics systems are fitted including head up display, multi purpose colour displays, dual mode tracker (a five times magnification television camera that is mounted on the nose), thermal imaging airborne laser designator, forward looking infra red and extensive platform protection features including radar warning receiver and chaff/flare dispensers.
The presentation was followed by a visit to the aircraft hangar of IV(AC) Squadron, where a number of aircraft were undergoing various stages of repair and maintenance.  IET members took the opportunity to look over the aircraft, sit in the cockpit and even get some introductory pilot training!  Of particular interest was a damaged Harrier that had been hit by shrapnel from a mortar attack whilst in Afghanistan.
The evening was rounded off by a visit to the Officers Mess for a drink and a spot of networking.
Many thanks were extended to Paul and his team for a fascinating evening.
See http://www.raf.mod.uk/rafcottesmore/ and http://www.harrier.org.uk/ for further information.
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The P&H LN plans to forge links with other local engineering institutions.
One of these is the RAeS Cambridge Branch on : http://www.cambridgeraes.info/ .

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Committee

Fred Davis IEng FIET CEnv FIWO
(Chairman) fred.davis@theiet.org  01733 414142 

Nick Merricks MIET
(Hon. Secretary) nmerricks@theiet.org

Mick Ross IEng MIET
(Treasurer) mick.ross@theiet.org 01480 217228

Henry Clark C Eng
(Professional Registration Advisor)  henryclark@iee.org.uk  

Moshin Dharas EngTech MIET LCGI MInstLM
[Media & Public Relations Officer (PRO) & Student Counsellor/Advisor]
mdharas@theiet.org
IET Student Counsellling/advisory information:
Peterborough Regional College,
Further & Higher Education Centre/College
Engineering Technician Workgroup
Engineering Section,
Room 25A,
Park Crescent,
Peterborough
Cambridgeshire PE1 4DZ

Background Information:

The area around Peterborough was previously administered by IIE Eastern, IIE East Midlands, IEE East Midlands and IEE Cambridge. The Peterborough and Huntingdon Local network has been created to meet the growing need of engineers of all disciplines in the PE postcodes. There are about 1,850 IET members in our area, working in all disciplines.

Both IEE and IIE prevoiusly supported the Peterborough Joint Panel (PJP) alongside the IMechE and the IMarEST, and the IET Peterborough Local Network will continue to be a full and active member of the PJP.

The PJP typically holds six evening lectures each year - on the second Tuesday in Oct, Nov, Jan, Feb, Mar and Apr. - usually at the Holiday Inn Peterborough-West (was the Moat House), Thorpe Wood PE3 6SG.

The IET Huntingdon Section will hold six lectures per year - on the third Tuesday in Sept, Nov, Jan, Mar, May & July - usually at: The Shrievalty Centre, 154, Northgate, Alconbury Airfield, Cambs PE28 4WY.

The Peterborough Section will hold lectures and meetings on the forth Tuesday of the month - usually at the Holiday Inn Peterborough-West (was the Moat House), Thorpe Wood PE3 6SG or at Peterborough Regional College.