In a Q&A session, Aerospace Manufacturing talks to Aviation Cluster Hamburg Metropolitan Region’s managing director, Walter Birkhan to discover how the cluster maintains its pioneering position in aviation.

Describing itself as an international centre of excellence for ‘a new kind of aviation’ and to attain a top position in aviation research and technology, the Aviation Cluster Hamburg Metropolitan Region Association is located in what is said to be the world’s third largest location in the civil aviation industry and possesses expertise which encompasses the spectrum of aircraft construction, aircraft maintenance and airport operations.

Q: What is your aerospace organisation’s aim and why is it so important to have an aerospace cluster?

A: Proximity, both physical and contextual, engenders a basis of trust which serves as a foundation for new cooperative projects throughout the entire value creation chain and speedier exchange of knowledge. Clusters make formidable synergies possible, thanks to their typical triple helix structures of small and large enterprises, research and education institutions, and public decision-making bodies.

As the Aviation Cluster Hamburg Metropolitan Region Association, we’re building trust in the network, which leads to a sense of cooperation due to a ‘win-win’ situation and added value. We’re able to accelerate the development of technology, as well as the route to market-readiness for products and services, encouraging innovation and strengthen competiveness.

Winning the Leading-Edge Cluster Competition has been a major success for the organisation. We act as a facilitator for the industry, along with research institutions, training and education providers in schools, colleges and universities, and regional administrative authorities to work together on future-oriented projects aimed at making aviation even more economical, ecological, comfortable, reliable and flexible. For the future we’ll strengthen our cooperation with R&D projects and joint projects in education and qualification.

Q: What major OEM aircraft programmes is the organisation and its members currently engaged in?

A: As one of the major OEMs playing a major role within the cluster – as well as a founding member of the cluster association – Airbus Operations, Hamburg is involved in the A320neo programme. It’s also involved in the A380 and A350 programmes and is solely responsible for the development and construction of cabins, as well as the assembly in Hamburg of the A350’s CFRP fuselage.

Q: How does your organisation intend to respond to the challenges taking place in the industry?

A: Hamburg has invested in two new institutions: Hamburg Centre of Aviation Training (HCAT) and Centre for Applied Aeronautical Research (ZAL). ZAL offers test facilities in which key players from industry and R&D can network their capabilities, initiate joint research projects and turn new technologies into innovative products. The emphasis is on cabin concepts and technologies, air conditioning systems, fuselage and system integration, and hydrogen/fuel cell applications. SMEs also receive advice, and support is given to the establishment of cooperative partnerships.

HCAT is an inter-campus cooperative project in which industry, universities and trade schools network to secure needs-based training of specialist personnel. Emphasis is placed on academic education in cabin and cabin systems along with training and continuing education in avionics/electronics structures. Both, ZAL and HCAT are sites where our cooperative partnership can be experienced first-hand. Establishing these two infrastructure projects – each of which is operated as a public-private partnership, means the region’s aviation sector has extended the foundation of long-term sustainability.

Q: Finally, what other challenges will the organisation need to overcome this year?

A: As mentioned above, Hamburg is pursuing the Leading-Edge Cluster projects comprising the entire lifecycle of civil aircraft and deliver major contributions to improve aviation. The strategy reflects the core competences of the Aviation Cluster Hamburg Metropolitan Region: aircraft and aircraft systems, cabin and cabin systems, air transport systems and aviation services. Our strategy is accompanied by a project to improve the transfer of knowledge and promote innovation.

www.hamburg-aviation.com

Mike Richardson

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Mike Richardson

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