Overview

The Joint Board for Aerospace Engineering of Engineers Australia and the Royal Aeronautical Society Australian Division (RAeS) invites Engineers Australia and RAeS members, professionals and the general public to attend this exclusive event, “Blended Wing Body Aircraft – Transforming the Future of Aviation”  

Held in Melbourne (in-person only)  and Sydney (online and in-person) on 26 and 27 March 2025, respectively, this event features renowned aerospace expert Dr Fayette Collier, who will present the visionary goals of the U.S. Air Force Blended Wing Body (BWB) Flight Demonstration—a trailblazing project to advance BWB aircraft for commercial and military aviation. 

The event will also provide an update on the progress and plans for the first flight of the full-scale flight demonstrator, scheduled for 2027. Additionally, Dr Collier will highlight NASA’s ongoing flight demonstrations, showcasing their significant contributions to global sustainability, including efforts to reduce emissions and enhance efficiency in aviation systems. 

This event offers a unique opportunity to gain exclusive insights into the future of aeronautical innovation and the strategic initiatives shaping sustainable future. Participants who attend in person will experience the presentation followed by networking and light refreshments. Attending at your local office, offers a unique opportunity to connect with the speaker, colleagues and engage with the engineering community. 

Event series

Events will take place on the following dates:

• Wednesday 26 March, 5.30–8.00 pm AEDT (Melbourne)
• Thursday 27 March, 5.30–8.00 pm AEDT (Sydney) 

Learning outcomes

In this event you will: 

1. obtain insights into the latest developments in advanced design 
2. discover manufacturing technologies that will enable significant reductions in fuel usage for future transport category aircraft.  

About the speaker

Dr Fayette S. Collier

Associate Director for Flight Strategy - Integrated Aviation Systems Program for NASA Aeronautics, Langley, Virginia, USA

Biography

Dr. Fayette Collier is the Chief Engineer of the U.S. Department of Defense Blended Wing Body (BWB) Flight Project, a multiyear initiative aimed at advancing the adoption of BWB technology in both commercial and military aviation. 

With an extensive background in sustainable and innovative aeronautics, Dr. Collier previously led key programs at NASA. From 2021 to 2023, he guided early formulation efforts for NASA's Sustainable Flight Demonstrator Project, and from 2016 to 2021, he spearheaded initial activities for a groundbreaking Megawatt-class electrified powertrain system flight demonstration. 

Earlier, from 2009 to 2016, Dr. Collier served as Project Manager for NASA's Environmentally Responsible Aviation Project, focusing on technologies to improve aviation’s environmental impact. Dr. Collier holds degrees from Virginia Tech and MIT and is a Fellow of both the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) and the Royal Aeronautical Society (RAeS). 

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Last updated 27 March 2025