Primarily for general aviation discussion, but other aviation topics are also welcome.
#1552995
The CAA does not 'approve' the Accountable Manager, but will take their knowledge and experience into account when approving the organisation as a whole.

Most organisations requiring EASA / CAA / MAA approval will also be required to nominate Key Post holders who are specifically accepted or rejected by the CAA/MAA based on biographical evidence presented in a "Form 4" e.g. "Head of Airworthiness" or "Head of Design".
#1553104
I suspect that the CAA will also be interested in this role given the newly announced £65m Digital Aviation Research and Technology Centre (DARTeC), at Cranfield, which will use the airfield to quote:

address research challenges facing the aviation industry such as:

    the integration of drones into civilian airspace
    increasing the efficiency of airports through technological advances
    creating safe, secure shared airspace through secure data communication infrastructures
    increasing the reliability and availability of aircraft through self-sensing, self-aware technologies.

Game-changing technologies such as a virtual air traffic control tower and next-generation radar technologies on the University’s licensed airport create a unique research and development environment.


There is a lot of excitement on the thread about the CAA ADS-B announcement and it is not difficult to put 2 and 2 together.

For further details take a look at https://www.cranfield.ac.uk/press/news-2017/new-centre-to-spearhead-uk-research-in-digital-aviation-technology and https://www.cranfield.ac.uk/centres/digital-aviation-research-and-technology-centre

There's also been the change with Harrods Aviation starting to use the airfield https://www.cranfield.ac.uk/press/news-2017/harrods-aviation-to-use-cranfield-airport

Oh and yes, the university did used to own a hotel (and still does through CMDC). Given the funding of DARTeC and depending on funding T&C then you may see other new companies pop up around that.
Bobcro liked this
#1559628
Thanks Cloudhopper for providing all of those links. Most people just condemn what is happening at Cranfield and remember the 'good old days'. The good days for Cranfield are ahead of us both for aviation and employment. The University has shown its commitment to the future of aviation at Cranfield but such developments will not happen overnight.
kanga liked this