Leonardo highlights the future of aviation at Expo 2020 Dubai

The Italy Pavilion hosted the 'The Flying Society' event at Expo 2020 Dubai. Organised by the Italy-headquartered global aerospace and defence company Leonardo, the company was honoured to welcome Sheikha Mozah bint Marwan Al Maktoum, the first member of the royal family to fly as a qualified commercial pilot for Emirates Airlines and the first woman to be appointed as First Lieutenant Pilot of Dubai Police. Introduced by Valerio Cioffi, Leonardo’s general manager, the speakers shared their experiences and visions and included Dr Nicoletta Lacobacci, global technologies and ethics advisor, Gen. Luigi Casali, chief of staff of the Italian Air Education and Training Command, and Roberto Garavaglia, SVP helicopters strategy and innovation at Leonardo.

“Expo 2020 Dubai confirms the attention of the UAE to new technologies, with a focus on those related to aviation. I believe that the three key themes of this Expo – ‘Opportunity, Sustainability, Mobility’ – perfectly encompass the promises and challenges of aviation that we want to highlight in today’s event. Leonardo – and Italy – have been part of the history of flight from the beginning, aiming, throughout the decades, at maintaining its technological edge. We have the ambition to continue as a leader in the next era of aviation and we are investing to meet this commitment," explained Cioffi.

Sheikha Al Maktoum, said: “I was only 12 when I tasted the freedom of flying, the exhilarating feeling of soaring up in the sky: it was a chance encounter and love at first flight. I truly hope my journey could serve as inspiration and encouragement to all young women still searching for a path, and prove to them that there is space for them in serving our country. It is time to tell the stories of the women who paved the way, so that the next generation grow up knowing the names of those women, their stories, dreaming of equal achievements and being inspired by their legacy."

Casali, said: “One of the challenges that we are facing and will continue to face in the forthcoming decades is the capacity to adapt our selection and training processes in order to maintain the technological ecosystem boost that we are witnessing. We need a modular flexible system that will be able to adapt rapidly to the new technologies and social development of the younger population meeting the training needs of tomorrow. A deep analysis of what roles, the skills and the training pipeline of the future generation pilot needs to be a priority in order to recruit, train, and deliver the future aviators of our air forces.”

“Is it possible, when dealing with technological choices to integrate feminine values? Should we reboot ethics that are not only managed by laws or principles, but also through empathy, compassion, and care?” asked Dr Lacobacci. “Women are crucial in building the future. They are quick and determined, they are practical, collaborative, and savvy. Practicality, empathy, collaboration, respect, and determination are necessary to create an augmented but still humane future. Therefore, my message is for young girls and women in general: embrace technology and science, because it is not only an opportunity. Today it is a duty."

Leonardo’s vision on the future of aviation is part of the company’s contribution to the Italy Pavilion, which is displaying a nacelle of the Leonardo’s AW609 tiltrotor. It is the only aircraft of its kind set to receive civil certification and revolutionise, among others, point-to-point transportation, thanks to its capability – that enables the changing of the position of the two nacelles and rotors in less than 60 seconds – it can take-off vertically like a helicopter while flying with the performance of an aeroplane.

As a part of the company's strategic vision for urban aviation in the near future, Leonardo along with its Emirati partner Falcon Aviation Services has built a new concept helicopter terminal at the Dubai Expo site. It represents the latest frontier in vertical mobility: travellers’ spaces are designed to house showrooms where commercial and cultural activities can be offered, within a structure built with sustainable materials, which can be easily re-modelled or re-allocated as the needs of the city changes.

Leonardo’s technologies have been present in the Emirates for over 50 years and the company continues to work with the UAE government, armed forces and partners via its local branch in Abu Dhabi.

Leonardo high-tech platforms in the UAE include more than 100 helicopters, naval systems, secure communications applications, space technologies and training aircraft, including the Aermacchi MB-339 jet trainer, chosen for the Emirati national aerobatic team Al Fursan. Leonardo is proud that the Al Fursan pilots have trained in Italy, using the company’s aircraft and Italian teaching systems.