In an age of financial austerity and government objection to increasing airport capacity through new infrastructure build, how can existing aviation assets be utilised to meet policy objectives?

This is the question that will be tackled at the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) and Royal Aeronautical Society (RAeS) policy workshop on 28th June: Sweating the Assets in UK Civil Aviation.

Following introductions engineers from the IET and Royal Aeronautical Society will present their concepts on how existing assets can be utilised to accomplish transport policy objectives. The overarching assessment criteria for each topic will focus on ideas which could be implemented within the next ten years and cover:

Costs and outturn
Ease and speed of rollout
Environmental impacts (including noise)
Likely public support
Link with SESAR
Please submit your abstract by 15th June using the template below, completed abstracts should be sent to policy@theiet.org. Your abstract should be no longer than 500 words.

About the workshop
Members who have their abstracts chosen will be invited to present to peers and a review panel at an afternoon workshop on 28th June, with the best ideas included as part of an IET policy briefing used with key MPs, civil servants and other stakeholders. Ideas will also form part of an IET Transport Sector Report, Sweating the Assets in UK Transport.

Although the ability to present your idea on 28th June is important, this should not be a limiting factor and we welcome ideas from those who may be unable to present on the day but who still wish to contribute.

Important dates for your diary
Abstract submission deadline: 15 June 2011

Notification of abstract acceptance: 21 June 2011

Policy Workshop: 28 June 2011

If you have any queries, please do not hesitate to contact Chris Richards, IET Transport Policy Advisor on crichards@theiet.org. We look forward to receiving your submissions.