A top aerospace expert with a history of using his research to solve aerodynamic problems on fighter jets and Formula 1 cars has been made a professor at Perth College UHI.
For more than 20 years Professor Andrew Rae worked in research and consultancy at the cutting edge of the industry.
A world-renowned expert in several aspects of aerodynamics, he has worked for leading aircraft manufacturers Boeing and Airbus, for several motor racing teams and on the design of buildings, trains, ships and wind turbines.
He has also been recognised for his exceptional achievements in wind tunnel testing and the flight testing of new and modified aircraft.
For the past three years, however, he has also been part of the team at Perth College UHI, most recently as head of curriculum for engineering, science and technology.
Now, in recognition of his many achievements, industrial experience and progress in expanding the university’s aircraft engineering activities, he has been awarded a personal chair at the university.
Perth College UHI is home to the university’s BEng (Hons) aircraft engineering course, a degree that equips students with an in-depth knowledge across a broad range of modern aeronautical technologies.
Students have been travelling from around the world to take part in the courses for years but the programme is now complemented by a Master’s degree that offers students the chance to undertake research and consultancy activities with major aerospace and motorsport companies.
“The perceived opportunity that brought me to Perth College UHI and to the University of the Highlands and Islands has become a reality,” said Professor Rae.
“The prospect of setting up a research group in aeronautics from scratch, for it to be truly multi-disciplinary and more closely linked to industry than traditional academic departments, was very enticing.
“The fact that this is becoming reality is testament to the uniqueness of the university, the excellence of the aircraft engineering staff and the willingness of the senior management at Perth College UHI to invest in that opportunity.”
The University of the Highlands and Islands’ acting principal Dr Chrichton Lang said Professor Rae’s “links with industry” and the “respect of his peers” had made him the ideal candidate for the award of a personal chair.
Welcoming the appointment, he said: “We are incredibly lucky to have an academic expert of Professor Rae’s calibre working to expand our capabilities in such a specialist field.
“He understands the aerospace sector and can ensure our graduates meet the exacting and challenging requirements of future employers.”