Sector Focus
Members to help shape the future
The Chamber has invited its members to help shape Britain’s post-Brexit industrial strategy. The organisation is intending to
use its members’ views to form a response to a recently published green paper on this important issue. The green paper – ‘Building Our
Industrial Strategy’ – forms the basis of a consultation exercise by the government, which is open until 17 April. The Chamber says the
government’s industrial strategy will have a huge impact on business, as it will play a critical role in Britain’s post-Brexit planning. In order to gauge local opinions,
the Chamber held an industrial strategy focus group last month, which focused on two key areas, encouraging businesses to start and grow, and boosting trade. Attendees were encouraged to
share their experiences, particularly in the field of access to finance, and barriers to growth and exporting. The focus group also tested opinions on how best the central government can work with local institutions. Henrietta Brealey, Chamber
director of policy and strategic relationships, said: “This round table was a great opportunity for business leaders to shape our response to the Government’s Industrial Strategy. The government’s proposals are wide ranging and have huge implications for businesses of all shapes and sizes, especially on the topics of business growth and trade. “By engaging closely with local
business leaders we want to make sure that our consultation response clearly reflects the views of our members.”
Night flights for autogyro
A tiny aircraft built by a Shropshire-based manufacturer is ready to play a much bigger role in commercial activities after being given permission to fly at night. The aircraft is an autogyro, or gyroplane, and the
manufacturer is RotorSport Sales and Servicing, located at the foot of the picturesque Long Mynd. RotorSport imports the aircraft from German
company, AutoGyro Gmbh, and adapts them to meet UK regulations.
‘Being able to fly at night has opened all sorts of doors for us’
For those who are unaware of what an autogyro is, it is a small aircraft which uses an unpowered rotor for lift, and a powered propeller for thrust. Film fans will remember autogyros starring in two
movie blockbusters, the James Bond film ‘You Only Live Twice’ and ‘Mad Max 2’. Autogyros were invented in Spain in the 1920s by
Juan de la Cierva. As well as Hollywood movies, the little aircraft have been used for all manner of activities over the years, and RotorSport wants to capitalise on
this after being granted permission to use them at night. RotorSport says that this means that the aircraft will
be able to take on more commercial flying, from helping the emergency services to providing weather and traffic reports. Commercial flying activities are nothing new for the
autogyro – over the years it has performed many functions for the military, including helping to commission Britain’s coastal radar system in World War 2. Jim Hughes, RotorSport Sales and Servicing
operations manager, said: “Being able to fly at night has opened all sorts of doors for us now. We really believe that the autogyro is the future of aviation. “This is the first time in European history that such an
aircraft has been awarded this approval. We are constantly breaking down barriers and reaching new heights, all in the skies above and around the Midlands.” Mr Hughes said that permission to fly at night had
been gained after test flights observed by the UK’s Civil Aviation Authority at Wolverhampton Halfpenny Green Airport, near Stourbridge. The development comes a decade after company
founder Gerry Speich successfully won CAA approval for UK manufactured gyroplanes.
Austrian Red Cross get bespoke Land Rover
Jaguar Land Rover’s Special Vehicle Operations (SVO) have designed and engineered a bespoke version of the new Land Rover Discovery for use by the Austrian Red Cross. Project Hero was presented to the
world’s media for the first time at the Geneva Motor Show. It is an advanced communication vehicle, created to support JLR’s partnership with the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), the world’s largest humanitarian network. SVO collaborated with the
Ready for action: the unique Red Cross Land Rover 58 CHAMBERLINK April 2017
Austrian Red Cross to develop a unique Land Rover that will be trialled by their emergency response teams. It is hoped it will help the Red Cross save lives by speeding up response times to disasters. John Edwards, Jaguar Land
Rover special operations managing director, said: “Land Rover and the team of engineers and designers at SVO are proud to support the incredible humanitarian work of the IFRC and its members. “The new Discovery is an
outstanding all-terrain SUV, and Project Hero is the optimum combination of enhanced capability and innovative technology. We hope to help the Red Cross save lives in emergency situations.” Land Rover have supported the
Red Cross since 1954 and supplied 120 vehicles for deployment in all corners of the globe. The new vehicle has a roof-mounted drone with a fully integrated landing system featuring self-centring and magnetic retention technology that enables it drone to land on Project Hero when is in motion.
Manufacturing
Night bird: Midlands-built autogryros have been granted permission to fly at night in the UK
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