Dr Hans-Henrich Altfeld, FRAeS, is VP of the Airbus Center of Competence Project & Programme Management in Toulouse, France. His objective within this role is to improve project and programme management culture across Airbus, developing and delivering lean, efficient and pragmatic processes, methods and tools. Dr Altfeld's previous roles within Airbus included setting up and leading the Project Management Office for the development of the Airbus A380 wing, which achieved on-time delivery, and VP at the Airbus Hamburg plant. He received his PhD in 1989 and has since held positions with several aerospace industry organisations, among them Messerschmitt-Bölkow-Blohm, the European Aerospace Industries Association and Dornier Satellite Systems. In 1999 he joined Airbus as Director for A380 Strategic Issues and Organisation Development where he was in charge of developing the 'design-build team'-based organisation for the 5,000 employees involved in the development of the Airbus A380. Dr Altfeld is a member of the German Engineers Society, former Chairman and now Honorary President of the Royal Aeronautical Society Hamburg Branch and during the term 2007/2008 was also a member of the RAeS President's Council.
' A useful book for students of aerospace engineering management and practitioners in the field who wish to improve their understanding of the main activities of, and challenges for, prime contractors ... Each part is an easy-to read comprehensive explanation of what currently happens in aircraft development, with figures and footnotes to clarify. Examples are used with good effect to illustrate points. There is good use of referencing to support statements made... Reading the book, it is easy to understand the complexity of managing aircraft projects and why there are so many opportunities for the failure that has been the project track record for most modern aircraft programmes.' Aerospace Professional, August 2011