What was your first aviation job?
I was selected to attend a UK Ministry of Defence (MOD) technical apprenticeship in 1996. Upon completion of my electrical and avionics apprenticeships I began work in the 10th Squadron Hangar at RAF St Athan in Wales on the Panavia Tornado GR1/4. The first aircraft I worked on was ZA352, which has now, sadly, been retired.
What came next?
I left the MOD in the early 2000s and went to work for BAE Systems in England on the Eurofighter Typhoon. In 2003, I took an opportunity to cross the pond and work on the forward fuselage electrical systems of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter at Lockheed Martin in Fort Worth, Texas. In early 2007, I left Texas and went to work at Gulfstream on the electrical system of the G650 business jet. In late 2008, I transferred to Bombardier as an electrical wiring interconnection systems integrator on the ill-fated Learjet 85 programme. In 2011, I moved to California as an electrical and avionics systems engineer on Virgin Galactic’s SpaceShip2, then in 2014 I began working on the Aerion AS2. I have always been attracted to exciting programmes that really push the envelope; this ethos, coupled with my inquisitive nature, has steered my career path and led me to my current position at Aerion.
Aerion
What attracted you to Aerion?
I worked for D3 Technologies in San Diego as an electrical and avionics systems engineer and I was assigned to the Virgin Galactic programme until 2014; I then transitioned to work on the Aerion. In my opinion, the AS2 is the most exciting commercial aerospace programme in the world at this moment in time. In July 2015 I accepted the position of chief systems engineer on the Aerion AS2. The leadership team and knowledge base at Aerion is remarkable. I have the pleasure of working with and learning from Dr Richard Tracy, chief technical officer; Jim Chase, chief engineer; Mike Hinderberger, senior vice-president for aircraft development; Doug Nichols, chief executive; Brian Barents, co-chairman; John Holding, former head of programme development at Bombardier, plus many others. In short, I was attracted to the engineering challenges of the AS2, the wealth of knowledge and brilliant minds to which I will have access.
How has your education prepared you for supersonic design?
My education has never stopped. I have been in a continual learning process since the day I started my apprenticeship back in 1996. Every single aircraft and programme I have had the privilege of working on has helped to increase my knowledge and understanding of different aspects of the AS2 design.
When is first delivery expected?
First deliveries are expected in 2023, including to our fleet purchaser and fractional ownership firm Flexjet. Once production begins the systems engineering department will not sit back and relax. Continual refinement of the systems will begin to optimise the AS2 to increase reliability and capability. There will also be engineering orders and change requests to be implemented. There will be a continuous improvement of the AS2 design. The Systems department will also begin work on the next aircraft in the Aerion family.
Learned any lessons you can share?
An important lesson that was ingrained into me by my late Apprentice Master and compounded throughout my aerospace career is to be humble. You don’t know everything and you must admit when you are wrong or have made a mistake. I am never afraid to ask the ‘stupid’ question, because the only stupid question is the one that is not asked. I am also the first to admit when I am wrong, because we are all human and mistakes happen, but the sooner a mistake is identified the easier it is to fix. Don’t hide mistakes because you are afraid of the repercussions. Ask lots of questions and learn from your mistakes.
Source: Flight International
