Jury Board 2022

Chief Strategy Officer - ZAL Center of Applied Aeronautical Research GmbH Hamburg

" As part of my doctoral thesis at Airbus, I dealt with the subject of image processing. The strategic consideration of the fields of application of UAS as well as technology components such as AI is also relevant in the context of my current work."

NFC Motivation/Expectation:

During your studies you will learn theory and self-organization. But afterwards it is often very difficult to put the theory into practice, often in a time-sensitive manner. In this competition, however, this is an essential requirement and I am very curious to see how the task will be implemented and what special attention will be paid to the design: "Simplify as much as possible and add lightness!

Senior Systems Engineer – ZAL Center of Applied Aeronautical Research GmbH Hamburg

"After graduating in aircraft systems technology, I specialized in lightweight design and automation for aerospace industry. I am an expert in airframe design and production and oversee UAS projects within industrial and research contexts at the Center of Applied Aeronautical Research in Hamburg, where we develop drones and drone technologies for industrial purposes."

NFC Motivation/Expectation:

Airplanes and flying in general have been passions of mine for as long as I can remember. Together with my father I started building and flying RC planes when I was but a child and I am carrying on with this hobby till this day. These passions also guided me in my educational and career choices.

I love technical discussions about aircraft technology and appreciate intelligent aircraft designs, which led me to join the jury of the New Flying Competition. There can be quite a difference between a flying RC plane and an actually good design. And while it is usually not too complicated to get an RC plane into the air, it’s the details that differentiate one from the other. And it’s also those details that require most of the time and attention when designing, testing and optimizing a flying vehicle.

The New Flying Cometition with its set of rules and time frame forces its participants to perfect their designs, while focusing on the right details, in order to win. I am really looking forward to seeing the results of all this effort.

Principale Design Engineer – Lufthansa Technik Hamburg

"Graduate engineer in the field of communications engineering/high-frequency engineering and responsible at Lufthansa Technik for cross-functional technical leadership of the Lufthansa Technik Design Engineering on procedural and technological issues. Lead and advise in the context of the competence of Senior Engineers. Initiate and ensure cross-project technological optimization and be responsible for process management. Accompany audits by regulatory authorities (e.g. LBA, EASA, FAA), OEM's and customers. Represent Lufthansa Technik in internal and external events and participate in international committees (e.g. ARINC, RTCA, EUROCAE), congresses and trade fairs. Support standardization processes within Lufthansa Technik, the Lufthansa Group and the international industrial environment in the interests of the company."

NFC Motivation/Expectation:

Be in contact with universities and students around the world. Help them in their first steps to the real world of aircraft engineering. Seeking for todays solutions for tomorrows problems.

Senior Engineer in the field of future projects – Airbus Commercial Hamburg

"After getting my diploma in aircraft design I did join Airbus in Hamburg. Since more than 25 years I am working on overall aircraft design for several projects, starting with A3XX/A380.

Both as guest lecturer at Airbus partner Universities and as flight instructor for sailplanes and I am happy to share expertise with next generations of engineers and pilots and help them grow.

Therefore, I did immediately agree to join the jury and formulate the task for the first New Flying Contest which has gradually evolved since then."

NFC Motivation/Expectation:

I am sure that learning on such a case that addresses future aviation trends as well as capabilities to design and build and operate an aircraft will help participants a lot more than reading a thick book about theoretical thoughts. For any next round I hope for participating teams that do not only enjoy this learning-by-doing but are as well eager to score high, not leaving aside on the way to their take off those quick-wins that will finally make the difference between the good and the better.

First Officer – Lufthansa Cityline GmbH / Consultant for UAVs – UMC-Consulting

"After my graduation as master of aeronautical engineering and management, together with a commercial pilot license, I started flying for Lufthansa Cityline GmbH. Around the same time, I started UMC-Consulting as freelancing consultant, where I help companies or organizations in implementing drone technology into their projects."

NFC Motivation/Expectation:

The NFC competition and its challenge represent the best use case scenario for implementing drone technology. The task given represents a real-life issue, which might be operated by drones in the future. I am excited to see creative ideas to solve certain problems combining theory and real-life. This project will be a good preparation for each participant on how to use knowledge and skill to fulfill the requirements, whilst having a better performing UAS then the competition. Getting the most out of a limited budget will be another of many hurdles on the way.

I am looking forward to see how different teams approach these challenges and what ideas they come up with.

Flight Instructor - Pilot Flight Center 

"I started my aviation journey as a commercial pilot for a major airline. During that time I began offering flight training for large helicopter drones. Today I work as a flight instructor for pilot flight center."

NFC Motivation/Expectation:

Looking back, a lot of development took place in aviation since the invention of human flight. In my opinion, today and in the near future we will probably see one of the most revolutionary and radical changes in aircraft design. Beeing part of the new flying competition jury means beeing at the forefront of new developments and observing the next generation of engineers, who will shape our aviation future.

I am personally especially interested in how todays safety standards and operational procedures influence design decisions.

ProtoSpace Leader - Airbus Operations GmbH Hamburg

"As as I remember my passion is aviation. As a young child I startet to build an fly model aircrafts and still practicing it today. In my spacetime I enjoy fling as a private pilot. 

After my study I started my carrier in aviation industry in 1995. I was involved in the design and certification of many sports aircrafts such as EXTRA-300 or Impule-100. In 2003 I joined Airbus. I had the chance to work in the design office, certification department and the research and technology sector.

Today I'm leading the ProtoSpace in Hamburg as part of research and technology helping to accelerate technology development. Since 2015 we are operating the THOR Program. THOR is not only the good of thunder it is Testing High-Technology Objectives in Reality. We have build the world's first large 3D-printed aircraft and operating our UAV's for research purposes. 

The time in that we are living is challenging. We can make the change towards a sustainable aviation for a better future."

NFC Motivation/Expectation:

"I always liked to work with young people because of their open minded behavior and unconventional approaches. On the other hand I like to schare my experience of more than 35 years in aviation industry. 

Th NFC is perfect as a technical and as a team challenge. You have the opportunity to test what you have learned in practice under real conditions.

I'm sure, during the next decades we will see more and more UAV's for different purposes. AI ist one of the key technologies to make that happen. We are at the entry point to a tremendous technology change in aviation.

I'm curious to your approach to make this happen!"