"If people think of it at all, they tend to associate engineering with heavy industry and civil infrastructure, " the academy says on its website.

BBC: Berners-Lee wins engineering prize for world wide web

In aeronautical jargon, a jetpod is a "VQSTOL" (very quiet, short take off and landing) aircraft, explained Dr. Joe Iannelli, Associate Professor of Aeronautical Engineering at London's City University.

CNN: 'Flying taxi' of the future revealed

Eric Fenton , an associate professor of aeronautical engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, developed a system that allows planes to fly by following typed directions similar to the verbal commands a flight controller might give.

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