To be read: • Flying Higher Than Usual? Consider the Hypoxia Threat • Flight to Quality • Calm Surface Winds Can Be Deceiving • Aviation scrap becomes flight of fancy furniture • Airlines step up search for viable biofuels » archive To be viewed: • Visit to Eclipse Aviation • Thunderbirds in Krzesiny • 360° view of the A380 flight deck Contact: Institute of Aviation Net Institute Al. Krakowska 110/114 02-256 Warsaw phone: 0 22 846 00 11 phone/fax: 0 22 846 75 36

Network organization is a relatively durable grouping of autonomous and specialized units or companies, participating in a system of mutual cooperation, subject to market principles. Within the network structure, coordination via hierarchy is replaced by an emphasis on horizontal relationships, while formal relationships between organizational units are replaced by links between partners, i.e. people, teams and organizations, freely distributed within various organizational structures across the world. The essence of a network is that independent entities, linked via information technology, freely create voluntary configurations, which are different in each instance. Each configuration is an original combination of its participants’ key competencies, making it more flexible, stronger and more agile than its respective members. By jointly utilizing the resources of participants, network organizations fight for their market position. The Net Institute is precisely such a network organization.

One type of network organization is a thematic network. It comprises of experts, teams and organizations, connected with a respective field. Within aviation, areas of activities may pertain to issues such as fatigue and nondestructive testing of aircraft structures, aviation noise or environmental protection. The basic task of thematic networks is to provide an efficient means for exchanging information between their participants. The key role is played by modern technologies and continuously updated databases, containing information on network participants. Such information allows the following activities to be jointly undertaken:

• project implementation,
• optimal deployment of human resources,
• rational management of research infrastructure,
• development of long-term growth strategies,
• development and implementation of operational programs.

Partnership is the nature of cooperation within a network. Participation is voluntary and every participant decides what information to make available. Networks have no territorial boundaries. They are structures that operate within the global economy. For this reason, Polish expert networks are components of international networks.

The Net Institute actively participates in organizing European and worldwide conferences and seminars. It promotes presentation of Polish scientists' achievements to the world community. It also initiates numerous projects, aimed at exchanging experience with foreign partners and institutions, recruiting prestigious partner organizations and actively participating in the organization of international research projects.



The Net Institute conducts a broad range of international cooperation, both within network and direct structures. Its purpose is to actively support the scientific-research community in acquiring new international experience.

Networks within the Net Institute

X3-NOISE - AIRCRAFT EXTERNAL NOISE RESEARCH NETWORK AND COORDINATION

X3-Noise is the European thematic network focusing on issues connected with aircraft noise. 32 partners from 20 countries (FR, UK, ES, NL, BE, DE, SE, IT, PL, HE, HU, CZ, LT, IE, PT, RO, CH, UA, EG, BR), combining the complementary skills and expertise of industry partners, SMEs, university and research establishments to cover the whole field of interest. The international co-operation aspects of the research agenda to be developed through the project activity are further reinforced by the participation of 3 partners from Ukraine, Egypt and Brazil acting as Focal Points at Regional level. Operation of the network is financed by European Union funds. Based on cooperation with this network, the NET INSTITUTE is creating a Polish national expert network, devoted to aircraft noise issues.

Poland's representative in the X3-NOISE European Thematic Network is Dr. Antoni Niepokólczycki, Director of the Net Institute.

THE INTERNATIONAL COMMITTEE ON AERONAUTICAL FATIGUE
Activities of the committee focused on issues related to the structural fatigue of aircraft. ICAF members are countries that have highly developed aviation industry, in addition to the requisite research and development facilities, such as: the USA, Canada, Germany, France, Holland, Belgium, Great Britain, Switzerland, Sweden, Japan, Australia, New Zealand and Finland. After several years of efforts, Poland became a member of this group in 2007. As a result of our participation in ICAF, expert networks will be created under the auspices of the Net Institute, devoted to aeronautical fatigue and nondestructive testing.

Poland is represented in the ICAF (International Committee on Aeronautical Fatigue) committee by Dr. Antoni Niepokólczycki, Net Institute Director.

NETWORK LABORATORY FOR FLUTTER TESTS

17 June 2009 the Director of the Institute of Aviation organised as part of the Net Institute the Network Laboratory for Flutter Tests. The team is composed of employees of the Institute of Aviation and the Poznan University of Technology, cooperating under the project “Elaboration of the Method for Quick Estimation of Aeroelastic Characteristics during In-Flight Flutter Tests“. The team leader is Dr. Eng. Antoni Niepokólczycki, who directs the project.

The project is being carried out under the Operational Programme Innovative Economy 2007-2013, Priority 1 „Research and Development of New Technologies“, Activity 1.3 “Support for R&D projects for enterprises undertaken by science establishments“, Sub-Activity 1.3.1 “Development Projects“.

The team have been collaborating on the project since 1 April 2009. The goal set by the team is to complete the project and ensure its results will last for the required minimum 5 years after the completion of the project.