AEROSPACE MARKET TRENDS

Major trends influencing the aerospace market focus on construction and training.  Of note:

Use Of Smart Materials

Companies in the aircraft manufacturing market are focusing on the use of smart materials for manufacturing. New materials, such as graphene and carbon nanotubes, help to make airplane wings more efficient by reducing weight and fuel consumption. These materials make the wings lighter, thus increasing efficiency, compared to those with conventional designs, whether made from metal or composites. In 2019, researchers from MIT and NASA developed a morphing wing using these new materials. It is assembled from hundreds of tiny identical pieces which can morph to control the plane’s flight, and could provide a significant boost in aircraft production, flight, and maintenance efficiency.

Virtual Reality (VR) In Aerospace Manufacturing

Aerospace manufacturing companies are also using VR technologies to improve manufacturing efficiency. This technology is being deployed in areas of training, maintenance and design and manufacturing. VR helps create a virtual environment that allows engineers to view composite structures and learn how to manage them well. It also helps with perfecting prototypes as designers can explore a virtual mock-up of the entire aircraft and can work to eliminate issues more quickly, which also reduces the investment in costly and time-intrusive prototypes.

Virtual Reality in Training

Companies have long known that simulation improves proficiency at a fraction of the cost when compared to actual in-flight training.  With the advent of the full flight simulator, we have seen, in the commercial space, a significant reduction in accidents and incidents over the past 25 years.  Recently, with the grounding of airplanes during the Covid 19 pandemic, some airlines noted issues with pilot proficiency.  Simple yet embarrassing circumstances like leaving the parking brake on when trying to taxi etc.  Although additional time in full flight simulators could remedy this, we now see some companies adapting simple over the counter VR training for those non-emergency aviation tasks.  Procedures like working a flow before takeoff, many times different between the airlines and all prior to engine start, yet, companies are finding that practicing this on a computer using VR with gloves gives the same benefit as being in a full flight simulator at again, a fraction of the cost.  

The bottom line is that the Aerospace Market, both government and commercial, is growing and there is plenty of space for your small business to accelerate. OCC is aware of the entirety of the Aerospace environment and can help your company navigate through the hurdles while helping you find those niche spaces where you can have the greatest impact in the shortest amount of time. OCC is also very aware of other companies that are in adjacent spaces, such as the VR space, that can partner with you and help you achieve your training objectives to FAA or EASA standards at a lower cost.

OPPORTUNITIES AND RECOMMENDATIONS IN THE AEROSPACE MARKET

 Opportunities

The top opportunities in the aerospace market segmented by type will arise in the commercial aircraft market segment, which will gain $102.6 billion of global annual sales by 2023.

The top opportunities in the aircraft maintenance, repair and overhauling services market segmented by type will arise in the commercial aircrafts MRO services market segment, which will gain $11.4 billion of global annual sales by 2023.

Other opportunities in the aerospace support and auxiliary equipment market segmented by type will arise in the satellites market segment, which will gain $3.6 billion of global annual sales by 2023.