Episodes
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Former Engineering manager at BOAC and British Airways and Engineering Director at Cathay Pacific, Stewart takes us through the challenges of selecting and keeping aircraft in the air in both the Far East and in the UK.
Though starting life as a BOAC apprentice, Stewart spent his early years on secondment to Kuwait Airways and Malaysia-Singapore Airline and he tells us about life living away from home often as the only engineer certified to maintain the airline’s types.
Back in the UK, Stewart spent most of the 1970s at Heathrow dealing with the challenges posed by the unions, engineers and the fleet of Boeing 747s and 707s.
Steward finished his time as a full-time employee in Hong Kong as Cathy Pacific’s Engineering Director, working with Boeing, Rolls-Royce and his engineers selecting and maintaining over 60 wide-bodied aircraft and Dragonair’s fleet of narrow bodied aircraft.
Not ready for the allotment, Stewart returned to the UK to take up consultancies and board positions with many aviation companies including Rolls-Royce and Airbus.
Always a Committee man, Steward also discusses his term as President of the Royal Aeronautical Society, the Society of Licensed Aircraft Engineers and the International Federation of Airworthiness.
During the interview, Stewart shares some amusing and fascinating tales of the people he met and the challenges he faced during his varied career.
Stewart John FREng FRAeS talked with Keith Cameron in September 2024 for the Royal Aeronautical Society/National Aerospace Library’s oral history project ‘If I only didn’t do it that way…….” Capturing history from the horse’s mouth to inspire today’s aeronautical professionals. … . The podcast was edited by Eur Ing Mike Stanberry FRAeS.
The transcript of the recording can be accessed on the National Aerospace Library's catalogue: https://raes.soutron.net/Portal/Default/en-GB/RecordView/Index/1116153 -
In this podcast series from the Royal Aeronautical Society's monthly AEROSPACE magazine, Editor in Chief Tim Robinson, Deputy Editor Stephen Bridgewater and Features Editor, Jack Richardson analyse recent aviation, aerospace and space news - and preview the latest (November 2024) edition of the magazine. In this episode, we also have Specialist Group Insight with Seth Moffat, Chair of the RAeS Flight Operations Group in conversation with Captain Robert Scott who discuss the upcoming single pilot operations conference. (Get in contact with FOG via [email protected]) Find out more at www.aerosociety.com
(Note: podcast recorded on 30 October) -
Missing episodes?
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In this special episode celebrating Black History Month 2024 at the Royal Aeronautical Society, we’re excited to welcome Elvis Tinago, an aerospace engineer and advocate for diversity and inclusion.
We’ll discuss his professional journey as a Black engineer, the challenges he has faced, his achievements, and the importance of representation in the industry. Join us for an engaging conversation about the impact of diverse voices in shaping the future of aerospace!
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In this special episode celebrating Black History Month 2024 at the Royal Aeronautical Society, we’re thrilled to welcome Jackson Smith, CEO of Fantasy Wings and a passionate advocate for diversity in aviation.
We’ll explore his professional journey as a Black pilot, the challenges he has faced, his achievements, and the vital role of representation in the industry. Join us for an inspiring conversation about the impact of diversity in shaping the future of aviation!II -
National Mentoring Day is celebrated on 27 October and has put a spotlight on the benefits of mentoring for everyone, no matter who they are or where they are in their career, for the past 10 years. This year, to celebrate, the Royal Aeronautical Society recorded this podcast in which we discuss mentoring with esteemed mentors, Wg Cdr Daniela Nowalski and Judith Milne FRAeS. The Society also welcomed some of the women that Daniela and Judith are currently mentoring to hear all about their experiences and how mentoring has benefited them.
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Air Vice Marshal Graham Skinner has had a long, varied and distinguished career in the Royal Air Force, specialising in engineering.
Passionate about aviation as a young boy, he joined the RAF straight from school. However, his exceptional abilities were soon recognised, resulting in his being sent to Bristol University to undertake a BSc in aeronautical engineering. Despite qualifying as a pilot with the University Air Squadron, Graham opted to continue his career in the Air Force specialising as an engineer. This led to a highly-varied series of roles and challenges, ranging from keeping helicopters flying in the desert to maintaining supersonic fighters in a state of readiness; roles which subsequently encompassed logistics as well as engineering, and concluding with his appointment as C-in-C Logistics Command. His problem-solving contributions were recognised with the award of a CBE.
Graham Skinner’s interview reflects not just a history of dealing with changing technology but also the excitement and challenge of a career in engineering.
AVM Graham Skinner CBE was interviewed by Sir George Cox CRAeS as part of the Royal Aeronautical Society/National Aerospace Library’s oral history project ‘If I only didn’t do it that way…….” Capturing history from the horse’s mouth to inspire today’s aeronautical professionals. The recording was edited by edited by Eur Ing Mike Stanberry FRAeS.
The transcript of the recording can be accessed on the National Aerospace Library's catalogue: https://raes.soutron.net/Portal/Default/en-GB/RecordView/Index/1116013 -
In this podcast series from the Royal Aeronautical Society's monthly AEROSPACE magazine, Editor in Chief Tim Robinson, Deputy Editor Stephen Bridgewater and Features Editor, Jack Richardson analyse recent aviation, aerospace and space news - and preview the latest (October 2024) edition of the magazine. In this episode, we also have Specialist Group Insight with Seth Moffat, Chair of the RAeS Flight Operations Group in conversation with Captain Alex Fisher who discuss Loss of Control Incidents (LOC-I). (Get in contact with FOG via [email protected]) Find out more at www.aerosociety.com
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Michael ‘Mike’ Howlett’s talks about his experience of flying successive generations of aircraft during his career as a pilot spanning over 70 years. Having learnt to fly on a Tiger Moth bi-plane, he flew first-generation jet fighters (the Meteor and Vampire), then the first generation long-haul, land-based piston-engine airliners in the form of the Boeing Stratocruiser. This was followed by flying the first of the long-range, swept-wing jets, the Boeing 707, and then the first of the ultra-large passenger aircraft, the Boeing 747 ‘Jumbo’. These aircraft not only ushered in different eras of air travel with a new level of passenger experience, they posed new challenges for their operators and aircrew. Mike provides fascinating insights into these changes.
Mike Howlett was interviewed by Sir George Cox as part of the Royal Aeronautical Society/National Aerospace Library’s oral history project ‘If I only didn’t do it that way…….” Capturing history from the horse’s mouth to inspire today’s aeronautical professionals. The recording was edited by edited by Eur Ing Mike Stanberry FRAeS.
The transcript of the recording can be accessed on the National Aerospace Library's catalogue: https://raes.soutron.net/Portal/Default/en-GB/RecordView/Index/183263 -
Katrina talks about her university education and early employment before describing how she got into aeronautical engineering. Katrina provides a fascinating insight into what it was like to work as an engineer in the 1970s whilst working in the Spares Department of the British Aircraft Corporation in Preston working on the MRCA (Multi-Role Combat Aircraft) which became the Panavia Tornado. Katrina was able to put to advantage her language and communication skills whilst employed on the spare parts catalogue.
Katrina reflects on being involved in aviation and a woman working in engineering, and tells some fun stories from her life and work such as hammering her car at some traffic lights in front of Germans to get it working it again before the lights changed, discussing aircraft parts with German colleagues and persuading them not to label a hole with a part number and the instance of an engineer storming out of a work canteen for engineers saying the canteen was not for ladies who come with friends…she never saw him again. Katrina feels she did not face problems with being a lady engineer because colleagues valued her skills and she was too busy working and living to feel really proud of her work and excited about being involved in aviation.
Katrina also talks about stopping work to look after her family, becoming a teacher and helping and caring for her mother and father. Most recently, Katrina has enjoyed volunteering for the National Aerospace Library (NAL) by helping to conserve historic material in the NAL’s archives.
Her advice for anyone starting out in their career is to research their interests (read a lot but be careful what you read, especially statistics), don’t be put off doing something that is unusual for you to do, and take advice but follow your dream!
This is an abridged version of an interview with Katrina Sudell by Anne Hayward as part of the Royal Aeronautical Society/National Aerospace Library’s oral history project ‘If I only didn’t do it that way…….” Capturing history from the horse’s mouth to inspire today’s aeronautical professionals. The recording was edited by edited by Eur Ing Mike Stanberry FRAeS.
The transcript of the recording can be accessed on the National Aerospace Library's catalogue along with links to the full recording: https://raes.soutron.net/Portal/Default/en-GB/RecordView/Index/183269 -
Sir Donald Spiers HonFRAeS talks about his early life before sharing stories from his remarkable career in the aerospace sector including some personal recollections of encounters with politicians. After retirement, Donald continued to share his knowledge and experience in the field of aerospace including serving as President of the Royal Aeronautical Society. Here are the significant points from the interview:
• Born 1934 in Wimbledon.
• Left Raynes Park County Grammar School aged 18
• National Service. Army paratrooper for 2 years, mostly in Egypt
• Read Mechanical Sciences at Cambridge
• Graduate Apprenticeship with de Havilland Engines
• In late 1950s moved to the Air Ministry to do Operational Research
• Officer in Scientific Charge of early trials of the Hawker Kestrel
• OR work in the Middle East with the RAF
• Scientific Advisor to the Far East Air Force based in Singapore
• Left OR to enhance career prospects by getting into Project Management as AD Hawk
• Then moved to Jaguar, Tornado, Eurofighter and Typhoon. Chairman of NAMMA
• Retired at 60 as MoD’s Controller of Aircraft
• Post retirement involvement with the future of the Farnborough Airfield
• Held a number of non-executive directorships with companies including European Helicopter Industries and TAG
• President of the Royal Aeronautical Society
• Trustee and Chair of the Farnborough Air Sciences Trust
Sir Donald Spiers HonFRAeS was interviewed by Roger Cansdale FRAeS as part of the Royal Aeronautical Society/National Aerospace Library’s oral history project ‘If I only didn’t do it that way…….” Capturing history from the horse’s mouth to inspire today’s aeronautical professionals. The recording was edited by edited by Eur Ing Mike Stanberry FRAeS.
The transcript of the recording can be accessed on the National Aerospace Library's catalogue: https://raes.soutron.net/Portal/Default/en-GB/RecordView/Index/183614 -
In this podcast series from the Royal Aeronautical Society's monthly AEROSPACE magazine, Editor in Chief Tim Robinson, Deputy Editor Stephen Bridgewater and Features Editor Bella Richards analyse recent aviation, aerospace and space news - and preview the latest (August 2024) edition of the magazine. In this episode, we also have Specialist Group Insight with Seth Moffat, Chair of the RAeS Flight Operations Group in conversation with Dr. Sunjoo Advani who discuss Upset Prevention and Recovery Training. (Get in contact with FOG via [email protected]) Find out more at www.aerosociety.com
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The First World War took Garner away from astronomy into ‘one of the most lovely places you could possibly imagine’- the Royal Aircraft Establishment. Here he describes designing experimental flying projects, including making measurements of drag using prop stop glides. He also describes some of the characters he worked with, including AA Griffiths during the period Griffiths was working on glass fibres.
He was transferred to Felixstowe in time to work on the Schneider Trophy, where he pioneered the use of cameras to accurately measure the speed of aircraft, and explored seaplane gunnery during the Second World War.
Sir Harry Garner made this recording at the Royal Aeronautical Society’s headquarters at No. 4, Hamilton Place in 1969. -
In this podcast series from the Royal Aeronautical Society's monthly AEROSPACE magazine, Editor in Chief Tim Robinson, Deputy Editor Stephen Bridgewater and Features Editor Bella Richards analyse recent aviation, aerospace and space news - and preview the latest (August 2024) edition of the magazine. In this episode, we also have Specialist Group Insight with Seth Moffat, Chair of the RAeS Flight Operations Group in conversation with Sten Rossby who discuss the GPS jamming and spoofing threat to civil air transport. (Get in contact with FOG via [email protected]) Find out more at www.aerosociety.com
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AEROSPACE Editor in Chief Tim Robinson, Deputy Editor Stephen Bridgewater and Features Editor Bella Richards sum up the 2024 Farnborough Air Show. Plus special guests Angelika Kochajkiewicz and Aleena Joshy from the RAeS Solent Branch.
Our thanks to the Farnborough Air Sciences Trust (FAST) Museum for arranging access to this recording location. -
In this podcast series from the Royal Aeronautical Society's monthly AEROSPACE magazine, Editor in Chief Tim Robinson, Deputy Editor Stephen Bridgewater and Features Editor Bella Richards analyse recent aviation, aerospace and space news - and preview the next (July 2024) edition of the magazine. New this month, is Specialist Group Insight with Seth Moffat, Chair of the RAeS Flight Operations Group. (Get in contact with FOG via [email protected]) Find out more at www.aerosociety.com
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In this podcast series from the Royal Aeronautical Society's monthly AEROSPACE magazine, Editor in Chief Tim Robinson, Deputy Editor Stephen Bridgewater and Features Editor Bella Richards analyse recent aviation, aerospace and space news - and preview the next (June 2024) edition of the magazine. Special guest this episode is new RAeS President David Chinn. Find out more at www.aerosociety.com
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In 1945 confidence in British aviation was sky-high. Yet decades later, the industry had not lived up to its potential. What happened? The years that followed the war saw the Brabazon Committee issued flawed proposals for civil aviation planning. Enforced cancellations restricted the advancement of military aircraft, compounded later on by Defence Minister Duncan Sandys abandoning aircraft to fixate solely on missiles. Commercially, Britain's small and neglected domestic market hindered the development of civilian airliners. In the production of notorious aircraft, the inauspicious Comet came from de Havilland's attempts to gain an edge over its American competitors. The iconic Harrier jump jet and an indigenous crop of helicopters were squandered, while unrealistic performance requirements brought about the cancellation of TSR2.
Peter Reese explores how repeated financial crises, a lack of rigour and fatal self-satisfaction led British aviation to miss vital opportunities across this turbulent period in Britain's skies.
Peter Reese wrote this lecture for the Farnborough Air Sciences Trust in 2023. The recording is courtesy of the Farnborough Air Sciences Trust and the podcast was edited by Eur Ing Mike Stanberry FRAeS.
A number of Peter Reese’s books, including In Turbulent Skies: British Aviation Successes Setbacks 1945-1975, are available if you make a donation to the Royal Aeronautical Society’s Library Conservation Appeals. The minimum donation is £5 per book. To order, please visit https://forms.office.com/e/siWpX4w9eW -
In this podcast series from the Royal Aeronautical Society's monthly AEROSPACE magazine, Editor in Chief Tim Robinson, Deputy Editor Stephen Bridgewater and Features Editor Bella Richards analyse recent aviation, aerospace and space news - and preview the next (May 2024) edition of the magazine. Special guest this episode is outgoing RAeS President Kerissa Khan. Find out more at www.aerosociety.com
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The ultimate test of the great powers’ pilots, aircraft and powerplants in the interwar period, the Schneider Trophy seaplane contest pushed forward aviation design to new heights and directly led to the Spitfire and Merlin engine.
W. Cox, a member of the trophy winning Supermarine team, takes us through each contest, starting with the pre-World War II contests and highlights how the key technological developments in aircraft design were represented in the race.
Please note, due to the age of this recording, there are periods of poor sound quality.
W. Cox addressed a meeting organised by the Royal Aeronautical Society’s Historical Group on 12 October 1965. The lecture was introduced by J. L. Nayler FRAeS FAIAA, the recording was digitised thanks to a grant from the RAeS Foundation and the podcast was edited by Eur Ing Mike Stanberry FRAeS. - Show more
