RAeS Cierva Named Lecture 2026

The RAeS Cierva Named Lecture 2026 explores the challenges, successes and future of UK rotorcraft research through a personal perspective spanning over 40 years in helicopter research and development. For decades, the UK has maintained a strong helicopter research base supporting military helicopter capability needs. Since the 1950s, conventional rotorcraft have seen maximum speeds and payload fractions increase by over 30%, whilst overall safety has improved dramatically. Helicopters now operate in demanding environments from icing conditions to hot, high and dusty extremes—achievements resulting from substantial investments in rotor aerodynamics, airframe and rotor dynamics, materials and propulsion systems. Advanced design tools and experimental techniques have accelerated these developments. However, the path to success has faced numerous obstacles from changing research priorities, variable funding levels and limited test facility availability. Dr Richard Markiewicz, the speaker, will share personal experiences covering UK helicopter research successes whilst examining key focus changes over four decades, concluding with exploration of modern challenges extending into the future. Dr Markiewicz is a distinguished aeronautical engineer with extensive experience in helicopter R&D and project support for the UK Ministry of Defence. He graduated in Aeronautical Engineering from Imperial College in 1981 and obtained an MSc in Aircraft Design from Cranfield University in 1982. He attained a PhD from Cranfield Institute of Technology in 1990 whilst working at the Royal Aircraft Establishment. Since joining the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory in 2003 as Principal Rotorcraft Systems Engineer and Capability Advisor, he has managed research programmes across UK industry and academia with international collaborators. He maintains strong academic links through the UK Vertical Lift Network and has held posts including Visiting Professor at the University of Bristol. Lectures are free for both members and non-members. The society welcomes a varied audience, and attendees under 18 may attend when accompanied by a guardian. The event is supported by Safran.