September 21-24, 2017, SAWE came together to deliver a successful International Planning Meeting and Regional Conference at the SAWE Texas Regional in Irving, TX.
I want to Thank the Regional conference Vendors/Sponsors. Thank You (SINCERELY) Intercomp, GEC, and Altair for your continued support of the SAWE as a SAWE Corporate Partner and Sponsor at our events.
SAWE Texas and SAWE Houston delivered the Regional after many months of planning, with superior support from SAWE leadership.
The International Conference Planning meeting took place Thursday. The host chapters provided the status for the conference beginning May 5, 2018. It is going to be more than worth the trip in May 2018.
Friday began with a panel discussion on Coordinate Systems used in the varying industries. I was impressed by the panelists. On the panel, there was representation from the Airlines (Michael Byham – American Airlines), Offshore (Bill Randall – Wood), Military Aircraft (Vearl Durrington – Lockheed Martin), Space & Missiles (John Nakai – The Aerospace Corporation), Marine (Alan Bird – Marinette Marine), and Automotive (Stacie Matschinsky – SAWE Deputy VP, Standards and Practices) Industries. It was an interactive experience between the panel and the audience. I thought SnP Vice President Andy Schuster did an excellent job planning and orating the panel discussion.
We had interesting and thought provoking technical presentations throughout the day on Friday from the SAWE industries. Mrs Stacie Matschinsky delivered her presentation on “How to use the SnP Template”. SAWE Honorary Fellow Mr Andrew Brooks discussed “Nesting & Trees : Nested Sets in MP DB Design”. Mr Kevin Tharp delivered a double shot with “Practical Considerations for Balancing” and “Tanker Aircraft Fuel Fraction”. SAWE Honorary Fellow and International Leader for Technical Content Mr Robert “Zimmie” Zimmerman enlightened the audience with his expertise on “The Case for In-Service MP of Missiles & Space Vehicles”. SAWE Fellow Robert Hundl shared his experience on “Weight Distribution for On-Shore Modules”. Instructor Mr Brian Wiegand delivered insight into Automotive Dynamics with his presentation “MP & Automotive Vertical Dynamics”. Society of Allied Weight Engineers President and SAWE Honorary Fellow Mr William Boze delivered a passionate, interactive, inspiring assessment of the industries served with “The Mass Properties Discipline – Risk & Opportunity”.
Standards and Practices breakout sessions were held with representatives from the Military Aircraft and Offshore Industries. Contact SnP Vice President Andy Schuster for information about the proceedings.
Saturday and Sunday were training days for the very established Aircraft Weight and Balance class delivered by Mr Tom Oole and the New Automotive Lateral Dynamics class delivered by the passionate Mr Brian Wiegand.
A survey was distributed to determine which industries were represented, what was the primary purpose for attendance, what other reasons brought attendees, what could be done to make the 2018 SAWE Texas International Conference a success, and to gauge what kind of participation we could expect from attendees in the future. Over half of the people in attendance submitted survey input. Overwhelmingly, Aerospace was the industry most represented at about 68% for those who submitted their input. We also had Offshore, Marine and Automotive / Land Vehicle representation all the way from the college student level to the retired professional level. Some primary reasons for attendance included planning for the 2018 conference, to take training, to deliver a presentation, and general support of the Mass Properties discipline. Some things to focus on as we plan the 2018 conference include plan/plan/plan, entice vendors and sponsors to attend, encourage and develop technical content of relevance to SAWE Corporate Partners and Company Members, and Standards and Practices development. About half of the people would support future conferences and events by developing technical content or working to gain company support. Thank you everyone who submitted a survey with your input. We will use it as we develop future conferences.
Networking is a key benefit of participating in the Society of Allied Weight Engineers (SAWE). You meet your International leadership. You hear them make speeches about their decades of experience and the health of the discipline. You meet other experienced people from around the industries as well as young adults building their abilities in order to build the future. The SAWE is a Worldwide conglomeration of very intelligent individuals interested in using their talents to make a better future.
We ask you reach out to a mentor/mentoree to develop mutual expertise to share with the SAWE. This is an opportunity for everyone thinking about the profession to grow it.
We will be reaching out to Universities to solicit the participation of their students and faculty.
We will be reaching out to Vendors and Sponsors, both established and new, to participate.
We will be reaching out to authors and presenters to deliver technical content.
We will be reaching out to those interested in supporting the development of Standards and Practices throughout industries Worldwide.
Please contact me at clintdsemail@yahoo.com or 8326475599 (leave a message) if you want to share your thoughts.
Sincerely, Clint (Stephenson), SAWE Texas Conference Chair
SAWE Houston is working to promote Mass Properties / Weight Control Engineering as a specialized discipline while providing a means for those interested in the discipline an avenue to explore their personal aspirations.
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