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Is it a bird, is it a plane? No its an Amazon drone

Amazon has recently announced that it is now planning to step up its Unmanned Delivery aircraft in the UK, by looking for engineers/project managers to test its aircraft. The IET Aerospace TPN Vice Chairman, Lambert Dopping Hepenstall has recently contributed to this article on the Amazon drone programme and said "We are very likely to see a lot of progress in this area over the next decade. However, there are many challenges to overcome. Top of the list is the need to mature the technologies and demonstrate to the regulators that unmanned aircraft can operate safely in our airspace". For more information on this Daily Telegraph article click here . What's your views on this news? Are you concerned about the regulation of the industry and safety issues?

Deborah-Claire McKenzie
Links to Presentations

Links To Lecture Slides The Manchester Network has filmed several of its events for IET.tv during the past year or so. If you click on the above link it will display the presentations available.

Deborah-Claire McKenzie
About Us - The Manchester Network

Description: The IET Manchester Network has three technical groups that cover a wide range of special interests. In addition, we have very active Young Professionals and Retired Members groups. We also work with other Engineering Institutions to hold joint events. Learn more about the Manchester Network The Manchester Network, one of the largest and most active outside London, stems from the amalgamation of the Northern Society of Electrical Engineers, founded in 1893, with the Institution of Electrical Engineers in March 1900. See Historical Note for more information. Our technical groups, which are reviewed periodically, are as follows: • Multi technical group (MTG) • Power technical group (PTG) • Transport technical group (TTG) • Young Professionals (YP) • Retired Members (RM) The Network…

Deborah-Claire McKenzie
About Us - The Humber Network

The Humber Network was officially formed in March 2006 to serve IET members on both the north and south banks of the River Humber. The area has a very strong metals, petro-chemical and food production background and continues to be a key area of industrial growth within the UK. There are currently approximately 1200 IET members in the Humber region. Why not join our two Linked In Groups : Group page Events page Useful links IET Connect E&T Jobs IET Advantage Networks in the Yorkshire & Humber Region: Humber North Yorkshire South Yorkshire West Yorkshire

Deborah-Claire McKenzie
Meet The Humber Network Volunteers

The Humber Network Committee organises an annual programme of activities and are always looking for new volunteers to join them. Please contact Phil Rubini if you would like further information. Philip Rubini Chairman Andrew Horne Secretary Stuart Gregory Treasurer James Sharp Vice Chairman Nicola Wallis School Liaison Officer Richard Rennie Member Matthew Bates Member Paul Walker Member Chunhua Yang Member Ines Droga - Member Andrew O'Sullivan - Member Updated 11th November 2016

Deborah-Claire McKenzie
About Us - the South Yorkshire Network

The South Yorkshire Network organises a programme of technical meetings, visits, colloquia, learned society and social events to meet the needs of the Institution members residing within, or close to, its boundary. These activities are normally open to members of other professional bodies and the general public. The Network provides a local face of the IET through a main committee of active volunteers with support from full time IET staff. We have a YP committee who, together with the main committee, plan and deliver our events programme. Also covering parts of North Nottinghamshire and North East Derbyshire, the Network serves the following major centres: Sheffield, Rotherham, Mexborough, Doncaster, Barnsley, Worksop, Retford, Chesterfield, The Hope Valley and Bakewell.

Deborah-Claire McKenzie
IET Manchester Network 2014 Christmas Lecture

The 2014 IET Manchester Christmas Lecture, 'Now Hear This!' takes a look at music technology and is presented by Rob Wix, the renowned Science Communicator and Presenter. The lecture will be presented in The Great Hall of the Sackville Street Building at the University of Manchester on Thursday, 4 December starting at 6:15pm. Further details can be found in a poster which is located here and to register for the event click on this link: https://localevents.theiet.org/register.php?event=f03984

Peter J. Hicks
Philae robot probe lands on Comet 67P

The European robot probe Philae has made history by making the first landing on a comet after seven hours of descent from the Rosetta spacecraft. The control room at Darmstadt received the signal confirmation that Philae had landed at 1605GMT. Philae is now talking to the control room and images from the surfaces are being processed before being released. The IET Satellite Systems & Applications Network would like to extend their congratulations to everyone who has worked on the project. For further details on this historic landing please click here .

Deborah-Claire McKenzie
CPD Elements: Introducing the Six Categories of CPD

CPD refers to the maintenance and development of knowledge and skills relevant to ensuring you remain competent as a professional engineer or technician. Undertaking CPD is detailed in the IET’s rules of conduct and IET members have a professional obligation to undertake CPD. Those who are professionally registered with the Engineering Council as CEng, IEng, EngTech or ICTTech must also follow the Engineering Council’s CPD Code . The Engineering Council have an expectation that all Professional Engineering Institutions (PEIs) will introduce monitoring of members’ CPD records and the IET are aiming to have this in place by the Engineering Council’s aspirational date of January 2017. In order to achieve this we are encouraging all members to start recording their CPD, whether they are professionally…

Kathryn Bain
CPD Elements: Introducing the Six Categories of CPD

CPD refers to the maintenance and development of knowledge and skills relevant to ensuring you remain competent as a professional engineer or technician. Undertaking CPD is detailed in the IET’s rules of conduct and IET members have a professional obligation to undertake CPD. Those who are professionally registered with the Engineering Council as CEng, IEng, EngTech or ICTTech must also follow the Engineering Council’s CPD Code . The Engineering Council have an expectation that all Professional Engineering Institutions (PEIs) will introduce monitoring of members’ CPD records and the IET are aiming to have this in place by the Engineering Council’s aspirational date of January 2017. In order to achieve this we are encouraging all members to start recording their CPD, whether they are professionally…

Kathryn Bain
CPD Elements: Self Study

The CPD Elements blog series aims to look in a bit more detail at the types of activities that can count as CPD. We know that our members work in a range of roles and across a number of sectors, so we recognise a wide range of CPD activities. We also don’t limit this recognition to only IET products and accept CPD from any source relevant to each member as we know you are best placed to decide what CPD is appropriate for you. Self Study Whether you are reading a book, a journal article, undertaking research through the internet or other digital means or participating in online technical communities and discussion forums, self-study is a valuable way of gaining CPD. Self-study is easy to fit in around work based activities, and most self-study activities are easily accessible at little cost…

Kathryn Bain
CPD Elements: Events And Seminars

The CPD Elements blog series aims to look in a bit more detail at the types of activities that can count as CPD. We know that our members work in a range of roles and across a number of sectors, so we recognise a wide range of CPD activities. We also don’t limit this recognition to only IET products and accept CPD from any source relevant to each member as we know you are best placed to decide what CPD is appropriate for you. Events Whether acting as a speaker, presenting a paper, networking for business or going along to pursue a personal interest, events and seminars present a number of learning opportunities that can help you gain valuable CPD. The IET offers a range of over 1200 seminars, conferences, technical visits, courses, lectures and local network events each year. You can use the…

Kathryn Bain
CPD Elements: Volunteering

T he CPD Elements blog series aims to look in a bit more detail at the types of activities that can count as CPD. We know that our members work in a range of roles and across a number of sectors, so we recognise a wide range of CPD activities. We also don’t limit this recognition to only IET products and accept CPD from any source relevant to each member as we know you are best placed to decide what CPD is appropriate for you. Volunteering Volunteering can help you to develop your skills whilst giving you a degree of personal satisfaction as well as providing benefit to others. There are a number of skills you can gain from volunteering such as influencing, negotiating, chairing meetings, communication, project or budgetary management as well as guiding others. Many volunteer roles are available…

Kathryn Bain
CPD Elements: Academic Study

The CPD Elements blog series aims to look in a bit more detail at the types of activities that can count as CPD. We know that our members work in a range of roles and across a number of sectors, so we recognise a wide range of CPD activities. We also don’t limit this recognition to only IET products and accept CPD from any source relevant to each member as we know you are best placed to decide what CPD is appropriate for you. Academic Study For many engineers in their early career academic study will be part of their development as they develop through their initial professional development, but it is not just for those seeking accredited degree programmes (link) as part of this development. Whether you are studying full-time, part time or via distance learning, the IET recognises that formal…

Kathryn Bain
CPD Elements: Academic Study

The CPD Elements blog series aims to look in a bit more detail at the types of activities that can count as CPD. We know that our members work in a range of roles and across a number of sectors, so we recognise a wide range of CPD activities. We also don’t limit this recognition to only IET products and accept CPD from any source relevant to each member as we know you are best placed to decide what CPD is appropriate for you. Academic Study For many engineers in their early career academic study will be part of their development as they develop through their initial professional development, but it is not just for those seeking accredited degree programmes (link) as part of this development. Whether you are studying full-time, part time or via distance learning, the IET recognises that formal…

Kathryn Bain
CPD Elements: Work Experience

The CPD Elements blog series aims to look in a bit more detail at the types of activities that can count as CPD. We know that our members work in a range of roles and across a number of sectors, so we recognise a wide range of CPD activities. We also don’t limit this recognition to only IET products and accept CPD from any source relevant to each member as we know you are best placed to decide what CPD is appropriate for you. Work Experience For most engineers or technicians, the majority of learning will be done on the job as they are learning about new processes or undertaking research into how to approach a project; in fact the 70:20:10 model for learning and development suggests that work experience accounts for 70% of successful development. Whether you are undertaking a secondment in…

Kathryn Bain
Meet Yew-Kee Lim: An Inspirational Volunteer Case Study

Yew-Kee Lim is a committee member for the IET Manufacturing Network and is based in Malaysia. Being aware of the exceptional volunteer work that he has been doing, we decided to write a case study highlighting his involvement. The attached document covers Yew-Kee's volunteering journey, from how he first became involved with the IET, to his recent activities, and everything in between. We also wanted to raise awareness of the contribution that he has been making towards membership recruitment in Malaysia. We hope you find it an inspirational read and that you will join us in congratulating Yew-Kee on all that he has achieved!

Former Community Member
Project Controls In Practice: The Heathrow And Gatwick Experiences

Busiest, largest, global, security, runways – these are the words that pop into my head when I think about Heathrow and Gatwick airports. For most, airports mark the first point of call when we’re on our travels and we hope and pray that everything is to schedule… Yet behind the scenes, project controllers are hard at work helping everything to run smoothly. At the Project Controls Network Prestige Lecture: Project Controls in practive - the Heathrow and Gatwick experiences on Wednesday 12th November we are lucky to have two high-profile speakers to talk about their experiences of project control processes behind the scenes at the UK’s two largest airports. Peter Fray and Doug Waters will talk on about their roles as project controllers at their respective airports, giving a fascinating insight…

Former Staff Member
CPD Elements: Training

The CPD Elements blog series aims to look in a bit more detail at the types of activities that can count as CPD. We know that our members work in a range of roles and across a number of sectors, so we recognise a wide range of CPD activities. We also don’t limit this recognition to only IET products and accept CPD from any source relevant to each member as we know you are best placed to decide what CPD is appropriate for you. Training Training is perhaps the most recognised of the different types of CPD that our members undertake, but not all members have access to training courses as part of their development, and it is not always the most beneficial way for members to learn; in fact the 70:20:10 model for learning and development suggests that as little as 10% of lessons learned come from…

Kathryn Bain
Code Of Practice For Cyber Security In The Built Environment

This code of practice explains why and how cyber security should be considered throughout a building’s lifecycle and explains good practice. It aims to help multidisciplinary teams understand how the management of key aspects of cyber security relate to their specific jobs and responsibilities in maintaining the security of a building and how the process can be integrated into company management systems. For the E&T article 'Cyber-security guidelines for safer buildings' see here . For more information on the Code of Practice for Cyber Security in the Built Environment see here . How does this relate to Building Information Modelling? The IET have just published a report that highlights the transformation BIM promises in a building or infrastructure lifecycle, including new cyber security risks…

Former Community Member
The Sir Isaac Newton Lecture 2014

This year we were pleased to welcome Phillippa Davies from Reaction Engines to present the annual Sir Isaac Newton Lecture, entitled “Jet into Space” on Wednesday 15th October 2014. This event is aimed at promoting STEM subjects to 14 to 16 year old students of Lincolnshire, hopefully to inspire them into onward studies and ultimately careers in the fascinating and varied world of Science, Technology and Engineering. Following an introduction from Grp Captain Mark Hunt, President of The IMechE, Phillippa described her involvement in the exciting and innovative propulsion engine being developed by Reaction Engines. Called the SABRE this engine combines elements of classic Rocket propulsion with the ability to harvest the oxygen supply required for use in the atmosphere. This dramatically reduces…

Joanne Longton
Report Back From October Main Network Events

Two evening events were held by IET Kent in October 2014 On the 22nd October, IET Kent held the inaugural Jennison Lecture at the University of Kent, to an audience in excess of 100. This event also opened the University’s 50th Anniversary Celebrations. The Lecture is named after Roger Jennison, the first Professor of Physical Electronics at the University in 1965 and founder of the Electronics Laboratory; which has now grown into the School of Engineering and Digital Arts. The speaker for the evening was Rhys Phillips (Research Engineer, Lightning & Electrostatics, from Airbus Group Innovations UK). His talk was titled "Thunderbolts and Lightning - are they really frightening?" and he delivered an informative and entertaining presentation. Rhys looked at the phenomenon of lightning and explained…

Brian Dury
IET At The Science Museum Lates Session - Wednesday, 26 November

IET Robotics & Mechatronics Exec team members were recently involved in the Science Museum November Lates Session - the theme of which was The Information Age . The Musuem Lates Sessions is an initiative aimed at attracting an adult audience to the museum to hear about the latest innovations in the scientific world. They are very popular, often attracting more than 3000 visitors, and this is the second time the TPN has been involved. A robotics lecturer from Harper Adams University, Sam Wane , spoke about technology advancements in agriculture. In particular, Sam discussed the changing size of the tractor, and how the research taking place at Harper Adams hopes to develop lightweight agricultural robots to seed, weed, scout and harvest. He also spoke about new technologies such as unmanned…

Joanne Longton
Mersey & Western Cheshire Network Committee Members 2016-17 Session

The IET Mersey & Western Cheshire Network organise an annual programme of engineering activities. All of these events and activities are made possible by the efforts of a dedicated group of volunteers. If you would like to know more about our committee, or would like to be a volunteer for us, please get in touch with the Chairman or our Community Manager listed below. Andrew Kaldos Chairman John McDonald Immediate Past Chairman Robert McDonald Vice Chairman and Onlilne Community Administrator Jiafeng Zhou Secretary James Harris Treasurer John Bullock Asst Treasurer Bob Green Chairman, Power Group Brian Clark Chairman, Electronics & E-systems Group Erik Clark Secretary/Advertising Manager, Young Professionals Section Gordon Nicholas Deputy Chairman, EC&C Group Haydn Evans…

Rob McDonald

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