You are in > manchester.com  > News > Manchester to pioneer aerospace research

General Manchester news

Manchester to pioneer aerospace research

23/10/2007

Manchester is to play a leading role in the aviation industry's efforts to develop greener and healthier air travel.

The University of Manchester Aerospace Research Institute (Umari), which was launched at the start of the week, will pioneer research into economically-viable eco-friendly aircraft.

More than a 100 specialists have signed up to work on research projects, one of which is a 3D x-ray imaging facility that can detect problems in a plane's infrastructure.

Professor Phil Withers, director of Umari, said: "This new institute puts the University of Manchester at the top table of university aerospace research in Britain.

"We are now better equipped than ever to play a lead role in working with UK companies to maintain and enhance their position as major players in the full gamut of aviation-related fields."

The government welcomed the launch of Umari and said that Manchester is now at the top table when it comes to aerospace research.

Manchester is at the heart of a region that supports more than 60,000 aviation-related jobs. In fact, a quarter of all aerospace output comes from the north-west, according to official figures.