This talk focuses on early research into control challenges of large transport aircraft that progressed from low to high Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs). We look at example projects such as autonomous in-air refuelling and autonomous formation flight, and highlight the approaches that were followed towards progressing up the TRL ladder. The interface between academia and industry is often complex, requiring academics and industry partners to step out of their comfort zones and to have a multi-disciplinary approach to solving problems. It is at this interface where we turn challenges into very interesting research problems and eventually into very useful industrialised systems. The talk includes high level discussions on the application of various basic and advanced control systems techniques (without resorting to mathematics) as well as general lessons learned from industry collaboration. It is suitable to an audience with a generalised knowledge of post-graduate- level control systems and an interest in effective industry collaboration.
