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AVRO HERITAGE MUSEUM

Future Projects Department

The FPD (also known as the Initial Projects Department) was essentially a microcosm of the entire Design Department, numbering
around 25 personnel. It contained all relevant disciplines:
Aerodynamics, Engineering Design, Mission Specialists, Performance,
Propulsion, Structural Analysis, Systems (Avionics, Electrical,
Hydraulic, Pneumatic), and Weight Distribution. It was as much a part
of the departments' remit to ensure that the next project would be a
success as it was to identify and reject a concept that was unlikely to
succeed.

Within this area of the Museum, numerous differing concepts can be seen, both in paper and model form. However, many never proceeded beyond the initial definition stage. The examples exhibited here represent some of the wide variety of conceptual
studies that were undertaken throughout the years.

Such studies may be in response to an internal (within the company) request, whilst others would be in response to an external customer (possibly the MoD or an airline) request. The result of the FPD study would be in the form of a report containing an outline description of the concept that would be presented to the request originator.

It should be noted that the decisions made at this early stage in the design phase defined over 90% of both the Manufacturing Cost and the Total Operating Cost for the life of the aircraft. Examples of the types of decisions made may be the choice of wing position: 'High' or Low'. Each of these has advantages: a High wing allows for a lower fuselage, propeller clearance and easier access for loading, whilst a Low wing allows easier refuelling and engine maintenance. However, not every study was necessarily generated around a new project.
A study may be requested to investigate a range of concepts: for example, to optimise the fuselage diameter for the various loading requirements (seating or physical goods), or to establish the most appropriate type of High Lift system or undercarriage layout.

Should the project be granted approval, then it would proceed to the Detail Design and Definition phase, where both the Airframe and all the associated Systems would be fully defined and integrated into the airframe, and subsequent manufacture.

Another element of the FPD's role would be to analyse competitor aircraft to confirm that the current project remained competitive, or to indicate the requirement and direction for an update.



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