Michal Janečka: Editorial of Aerospace Industry 2020

aerospace industry l editorial l agencies Dear Readers, The aerospace industry is currently in an unprecedented situation. The coronavirus pandemic, which has been ongoing for several months, is having an adverse effect on the industry and it is difficult to estimate how extensive its impact will be. Unfavourable reports are emerging almost regularly and more can be expected, unfortunately. There has been a sharp decline in commercial flights and aircraft are grounded. Beyond that, there has been a steep decline in new aircraft orders, existing orders have been cancelled or postponed, and supply chains have been disrupted. Carriers and manufacturers have incurred major financials and, of no less importance, a significant portion of the industry's workforce has been laid off. The virus is not selective in where it spreads and is thus causing problems also for the aerospace industry, which is facing the postponement of numerous projects. In order to tame the course of the disease, the European Space Agency has postponed the launch of the Vega rocket, a project in which the Czech company SAB Aerospace participated with a satellite dispenser. Despite all of these negative impacts, however, I would like to point out some positive examples that demonstrate the strength of both foreign and Czech companies and that may unfortunately be overlooked in the flood of today's news. Such examples are the use of 3D printing to manufacture face shields at giants such as Airbus and Boeing, the first test flight of the SpaceJet M90 from the Japanese company MHI, and Virgin Orbit's successful test of a B747 modified to launch satellites into orbit. In the domestic environment, it is definitely worth mentioning the new Savage-series STOL aircraft from Zlín Aviation and the successful phase of flight tests of the L-39NG aircraft manufactured by Aero Vodochody. I am especially grateful to all of the pilots who have shown solidarity and helped to distribute protective equipment throughout the country within the Pilots to the People project. If we add to this the measures introduced at Czech companies and the resulting ability not only to protect their employees, but also to fulfil their obligations, we are on the right track to escape from this period with the least possible damage. Even though we have no influence on the remaining issues, it is precisely this resilience of the entire sector that fills me with the optimism that better days await Czech industry. After all, despite numerous setbacks, it has always recovered throughout its more than 100-year history. I firmly believe that this time will not be different. I wish you good health and pleasant reading. Michal Janečka The author works as the aerospace sector manager at the government agency CzechInvest. www.technikaatrh.cz 1