The Engineering Challenge: To Retain Technical Excellence In The Changing Aerospace Environment

This paper discusses “Technical Excellence,” a set of qualities required by a Gas Turbine Engineering organization to be “Best In Class,” the key to a very successful business. The Aerospace Industry environment (market needs, economic pressures, and mode of operation) has been subjected to quantum changes during the last decade. This paper discusses how these changes in our environment are affecting the qualities required to achieve “Technical Excellence.” The author shows that, in spite of the increased challenges, “Technical Excellence” can be met by taking advantage of the very tools and methods derived from our Industry internal upheavals, provided we aggressively address the pitfalls inherent in such revolutionary changes.