Aviation Advisory Board Members

Captain George Capon

GAAB Chairman – Independent

George started his flying career in 1976, joining the Air Training Corps and Commanding a VGS for 12 years, initially learning to fly at Southend, he obtained his ATPL ,latterly flying as a Captain on the A340 and A330. Never forgetting the grass roots of aviation he has continuously held  CAA and FAA instructor single and multi engine ratings since 1988 and an examiner rating since 2011.

He has had various flight safety, H&S, Human Factors, Training and Procurement roles  in Gliding, General Aviation and Commercial Air Transport.

Adrian Fountain

GAAB Vice-Chair – Independent

Joined Royal Air Force on leaving 6th form as electronics engineer working on radar and missile systems. Transferred later and graduated as a flight engineer, completing operational and instructional tours on C130 and L1011. 2004 gained PPL. 2006 left Royal Air Force and joined a test evaluation Sqn at MoD Boscombe down, completing many varied trials on multiple aircraft types, including air to air refuelling, glass cockpit upgrades and aircraft certification activities. 2017 Aeromedical Survival Training Centre MoD Boscombe Down. Responsible for delivery of aircrew maritime survival, Human Factors, CRM, Aviation Medicine training to civilian and military aircrew, flight test engineers. From 2004 to date has remained current in General Aviation and active within the local club being the flight safety representative.

Pete Allum

Independent – Skydiving

Peter Barker

Helicopter Club of Great Britain

Peter graduated with a Master’s Degree in Engineering from The City University. His career in aviation commenced by being given employment in the Hawker Aircraft Ltd design office by Sir Sidney Camm.  Peter worked on P1127, Kestrel and Harrier systems design before moving to Dunsfold Aerodrome to work on Harrier weapons systems flight trials.

He retired from proper employment to form his own architectural design consultancy company which specialises in the relocation, conservation and conversion of ancient oak framed buildings – the hobby that grew – successfully enough to finance helicopter flying. Peter started flying helicopters in 1985, initially Enstrom and then successively, Gazelle, Bell 206 and Hughes 500.  He currently owns an Enstrom 280C which is based at home and regularly flies a Squirrel B3.

Peter flies extensively in Europe – as far south as the Greek Islands and East as far as Moscow, is an active member of the Helicopter Club of Great Britain.  He has competed historically and in the last two British Helicopter Championships and is an International Judge and a Liveryman of the Guild of Air Pilots & Air Navigators.

Peter enjoys none-flying activities including fly fishing, game shooting and scuba diving.

Ian Bishop

Independent ATCO

John Broad

Vintage Aircraft Club

John’s first flight was in a De Havilland Dragon Rapide as a pleasure flight around Heathrow with his father paying 10 shillings each for his brother and him. You could say this was his first training on weight and balance calculations as they were both weighed and positioned in the aircraft to suit.

He joined the City of Oxford Sqn No 150 of the Air Training Corps, rising to the rank of Corporal. He cadged flights in Beverley’s from RAF Abingdon and a trip in a Piston Provost and DH Chipmunks plus ATC Camps around the country.  An opportunity to gain an ‘A’ and ‘B’ Gliding Licence with the ATC at RAF Hawkinge was fun and followed up with more gliding from Weston-on-the-Green with the Oxford Gliding Club.

Work involved an apprenticeship with Pressed Steel Co at Cowley followed by 38 years in all the incarnations of the motor industry on that site and at the Swindon plant specialising on Press Tooling.  A part time job, starting in the year 2000, as a technician in Jacobs Engineering working on bridges and structures has been concluded as with all the aviation work, he didn’t have time to go to work!  A concentrated course starting on the auspicious date of April 1st 1969 gained him his PPL (A) flying Cessna 152’s at Wycombe Air Centre.  Many trips around the UK and Europe with the touring group set up between the Pilots at the Air Centre proved educational and fun.  Other types flown include Piper Cubs, Chipmunk, Luscombe Silvaires and passenger in the Harvard plus some hours as Pilots Assistant in a Beech Kingair operating from Heathrow.

When the Flying Club rental price exceeded £2 per minute, John and a colleague bought an Aeronca Champion 7AC, which taught them both a huge amount about flying real aircraft.

Joining the Vintage Aircraft Club and eventually taking on its Chairmanship has allowed contacts with many superb airmen and craftsmen, although he has now resigned chairmanship of the Club.  As a member of the old PFA and the Oxford Strut, John joined the organising committee.  He also represents the VAC on various safety organisations and committees; CHIRP, GASCo, AIWG, etc.

John’s other interest is mainly motorcycling, especially vintage types and is a member of the VMCC, Ariel Owners Club, BMW Owners Club, Motorcycle Action Group and the British Motorcyclists Federation.

Tony Butler

Independent – Skydiving

Rob Buckley

Chair, CHIRP Drone/UAS Advisory Board

Rob was elected in 2011 as secretary of the UK Large Model Association, and since 2015 has worked with the UK DfT, CAA and the other UK model flying associations to steer and define the national implementation of model flying regulation under the EASA unmanned aircraft rules. He also sits on several CAA working groups representing the interests of model aircraft flyers. In 2016, he was a founder member of the European Model Flying Union and is an executive board member. He started flying model aircraft in 1982, and has built and flown everything from free flight gliders to turbine powered aircraft but never really got on with helicopters. 

He trained as an aeronautical engineer, and since 1996 has worked on the design, airworthiness and certification of balloons, airships, light aircraft, airliners and both large and small unmanned aircraft platforms as a chartered mechanical engineer. He additionally brings experience of the identification and mitigation of human factors and human error in large aircraft maintenance. He gained a fixed wing PPL in 2018 and now has a share in a permit to fly vintage aircraft based at Compton Abbas.

John Carter

Independent – Skydiving

Robert Curry

Independent – Pilot

Rob Curry first started flying (in his head) aged about 5 whilst looking up at Concorde climbing out of Filton.  Then followed pretty much every model aircraft you can think of, Air Training Corps, a bit of gliding and University Air Squadron. After graduating, much to his surprise, with an Engineering degree, he was fortunate enough to find himself trusted with one of Her Majesty’s supersonic nuclear fighter-bombers and 20 years in the RAF flashed by, literally and metaphorically!

After the RAF, a ground tour as an Operations Analyst with Boeing resulted in an unhealthy interest in geeky maths before returning to the flying fold with gliding, as an Airprox Inspector and as CFI at a local flying school. Rob is a current CPL/FI/IRI and LAA member.

Rod Dean

Independent

Rod Dean joined the Royal Air Force is September 1962 and spent just over 21 years in the service.  During that period he was continually involved, after training, in flying on either operational squadrons or Operational Conversion Units/Tactical Weapons Units.  These included, on the Hunter, 43 Squadron in Aden, 229 OCU at RAF Chivenor and 208 Squadron in Bahrain. A further tour at Chivenor on 79 Squadron was followed by a tour at RAF Bruggen, Germany on the Jaguar.  After promotion to Squadron Leader, a posting to Brawdy as OC 79 Squadron completed his flying with the RAF.  His final tour before retiring from the RAF was on loan to the Sultan of Oman’s Air Force as a QFI flying the Jaguar and the Hunter.

In 1972 and 73 he was the Strike Command Hunter display pilot at RAF Chivenor when he flew some 50 public displays over the two seasons and was the winner of the first WD & HO Wills Solo Jet Display Trophy at the North Weald International Air Tattoo in 1972.  He left the service as a Squadron Leader and as a Qualified Flying Instructor and Qualified Weapons Instructor.

After leaving the RAF, Rod spent ten years as the Business Manager for a flight simulator training company followed by fifteen years with the Civil Aviation Authority.  When he left the CAA he was the Chief Executive Officer of Air Safety Support International, a wholly owned subsidiary of the CAA tasked with overseeing civil aviation regulation in the UK Overseas Territories.  Prior to this appointment he was the Head of the General Aviation Department.  He was, most recently, the Flight Operations Consultant (and Flying Display Director during the 2010 and 2012 Airshows) for Farnborough International Limited, the organisers of the Farnborough Airshow.  Rod is now the Flying Display Coordinator for a number of well know flying displays such as those at Blackpool and the Imperial War Museum, Duxford.

He spent many years instructing on light general aviation aircraft and has been displaying civil aircraft since 1984 when he retired from the RAF.  Rod has flown a wide variety of World War II and immediate post-war piston fighters such as the Mustang, Corsair, Wildcat, Sea Fury, Bearcat, Hurricane, Harvard, Skyraider and, favorite of all, the Spitfire.  He has also flown a number of vintage jet aircraft such as the Meteor, Vampire, Venom, T33, F86 Sabre and, not surprisingly, the Hunter.  He continues to fly, and display, a variety of light aircraft such as the Slingsby T67M, the Harvard and Provost.

Chloe Eriksen

Flight Training Liaison & Safety Officer, BMAA

Chloe’s interest in aviation began as a young Air Cadet, with Air Experience Flying in Chipmunks and Bulldogs. Work experience at a local airfield and the odd fun flight led to an RAF Flying Scholarship on a Cessna 152 at Carlisle Airport, where she terrified herself on her first solo. Her Sixth Form tutor introduced her to the world or Rotary flying and the Army Air Corps and watching the mighty Lynx take off from Middle Wallop airfield cemented her ambitions. She attended the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst and then went on to complete the Army Pilot’s Course, completing her conversion on the Lynx Mk7. Tours in Bosnia and Iraq followed and an exciting season as part of the Lynx crew on the Blue Eagles display team. Chloe went on to graduate from the Central Flying School at RAF Shawbury, becoming a Qualified Helicopter Instructor (QHI). Always passionate about Flight Safety and with a particular interest in Human Factors, Chloe continued to work in Aviation after leaving the Army and worked on various projects in the field of training and regulation as an Aviation Consultant. She recently took up post as the Flight Training Liaison and Safety Officer at the BMAA.

Tony Gee

British Gliding Association

On first getting airborne at age 14 in a Tiger Moth from a local farm strip, Tony switched from models to full-scale aviation. School was followed by 6 years at the Royal Aircraft Establishment, Farnborough and the RAF Institute of Aviation Medicine, specialising in instrumentation and homosapiens’ limitations.  A sojourn in higher education led to research and a Doctorate in (nanometric) measurement and control and his career thereafter embraced posts at Reading, Surrey and Cranfield Universities in Mechanical/Manufacturing Engineering with sabbaticals in USA and Brazil.

Having commenced gliding at Farnborough, he is one of a select few who soloed and learnt pilotage skills in its hallowed air. With 4000hrs logged, mostly powerless, on ~120 types (of which ~70 had no second seat), type-conversion assessment issues are particular interests, including effects of scale, span, human performance limitations and pre/post stall handling.

He holds the Gliding Gold Cert., a Full Category Instructor Rating, is Safety Officer for an RAFGSA Club and a BGA Regional Safety Officer. He has served on the BGA Safety Committee, represents it on the GASCo Council, advises Brunel U Flight Safety Lab and is a member of Royal Aeronautical Society GA Committee.

Academic interests continue in astro-instrumentation as a Senior Research Associate in the Dept of Physics and Astronomy, University College London.

Mike Gunston

British Balloon & Airship Club

On leaving grammar school in 1973, Mike joined NATS (as it was to become) as a trainee Air Traffic Control Officer. On graduation, he worked for NATS for 44 years as an ATCO at places diverse as Sumburgh (Shetland Isles), Glasgow, Manchester, London Heathrow and also, the area control unit at Swanwick.  A pilots licence for light aircraft came with the job and in 1990, Mike decided to try out hot air ballooning.

He has a current PPL for both Airplanes and Balloons and is on the main committee of the British Balloon and Airship Club (BBAC). Mike flies a Czech Airworks Sportcruiser to get from A to B, but if he fancies floating around, he uses his Cameron Z-90.

On the CHIRP GAAB panel, Mike represents ballooning but also contributes his knowledge of fixed wing and Air Traffic Control to the debate.

Scott Hadden

Scott was born in Fife, Scotland in 1973 and from a very early age wanted to become a commercial pilot.  However, after years of commitment to that path (he started flying at the age of 12), Scott made the difficult decision in 2001 not to pursue a flying career due to the post 9/11 employment landscape at that time.

He then joined NATS in 2002 to train as an Air Traffic Controller. After training, he was initially posted to LATCC West Drayton in Terminal Control which, in 2007, closed with the unit relocating to Swanwick in Hampshire.  Since then, he has worked on various projects within NATS such as the next generation Flight Data Processor, controller tools and workstation.

Scott has been a GATCO (Guild of Air Traffic Control Officers) member since 2002 and a GATCO Board member since 2012 in the role of Manager Recruitment and, more recently, Manager Benefits and Admin.  Scott is passionate about the future of Air Traffic Control from a professional and technological standpoint and hopes to make further contributions in these areas in the years to come.  He still flies for fun and is now a keen Instrument Rated GA pilot which gives him an exposure to ATC from ‘the other side’.  He is also a bit of a car nut and has a love for all things mechanical, especially those that are petrol powered!!

Scott is honoured to be on the CHIRP ATAB and GAAB and hopes that his experience and expertise can play a small part in the process of further advancing aviation safety.

Jane Hannick

Senior External Safety Specialist, NATS Safety Service

Martin Hill

Independent

Steven Hoare

AAIB

David James

GA Unit, CAA

David started his career in aviation in 2018 having left a longstanding role in Employment Law. He obtained his FISO license in 2018 and gained validation at Coventry in 2019 where he has worked full time since. He is a member of the GAAB representing GATCO.

David gain this PPL(A) in 2015 learning in a Grob 115 for which he still has a soft spot! Since then he has flown a range of aircraft and finds himself mainly in the trusty PA28 owned by the club he is an active member of. He has flown aircraft all over the UK and recently started to venture into Europe, hoping to fly around the nordic countries.

To further his knowledge, he is hoping to complete his IR(R) soon and move into flight instructing, focussing on the LAPL and Class Ratings.

Paul Mahony

British Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association (BHPA)

Chris Mason

GA Unit, CAA

Chris has worked in the aviation industry since leaving school, gaining a wealth of experience covering a wide variety of aircraft and airport safety, security, operational and technical matters.  He has held senior and diverse roles with British Airways, Air Foyle/Antonov, SITA, European Regions Airline Association and currently the Civil Aviation Authority.

Throughout his career Chris has attained valuable experience and expertise in a vast array of aviation disciplines, including aircraft performance, airport inspections, cargo charter operations and navigation/aeronautical information management.  As a result Chris has travelled extensively both within Europe and Globally, sitting on various aviation safety and security consultative committees requiring liaison with numerous government and regulatory bodies including EASA, European Commission, ECAC, IATA and Eurocontrol.

In his current role at the Civil Aviation Authority he works within the General Aviation Unit combing two roles, working as a Flight Standards Officer with the Air Display team and as primary Subject Matter Expert within the Operations team investigating Mandatory Occurrence Reports and Alleged Breaches of Air Navigation Legislation.

In his spare time Chris is in the process of gaining his PPL, enjoys travel and plays badminton to league and national level.

Tom McCormack

Manager of Air Traffic Services

Tom joined the RAF at age 16 as a Halton Apprentice and graduated at BSc level in Electrical and Electronic Engineering. He served in RAF for 11 years – travelling worldwide. Following the RAF, Tom had several very different careers that have gave him a wide range of knowledge of both technical and commercial topics. This includes: Electrical, Electronic and Mechanical Engineering, Civil and Military Communications, plus 40 years of business consulting and managing £ multimillion Business Change programs across a range of industries including Avionics, Defence and Global Aerospace manufacturing. Tom started flying gliders in the ATC age 13, and at 14, becoming a staff cadet at North Weald & Debden RAF GS. He gained his PPL via a scholarship at RAF Goose Bay Labrador, followed by 2 years of bush flying (on wheels, ski’s, floats and amphibians).

Tom has owned shares in several GA aircraft, the current aircraft being (a Piper PA32-300) since 1985. He gained IMC and NR in 1977 and CRI in 1999 – all still current. Tom has flown extensively around the UK, Europe and the world, for example: 3 x transatlantic crossings + trips to North Africa and Cyprus – and on business trips all over Europe. Tom is current on most SEP’s including 3 axis microlights, tailwheel and complex and is experienced in teaching pilots how to use GPS navigation products alongside tradition navigational techniques. He has approx 6400 hrs total PIC, including approx. 900 hrs IMC/IFR and 500hrs instructing. Covid excepted, Tom has been flying approx. 400 hrs per year over the last 4-5 years.

Simon Oldfield

Director, UK Airprox Board

Simon Oldfield is the current Director of the UK Airprox Board. He caught ‘the aviation bug’ at an early age and first learned to fly as a glider pilot with the then Air Cadets (now RAF Air Cadets). After a brief period in the insurance broking industry, he joined the Royal Air Force in November 1985 as an avionics technician. Working on and around aircraft, his desire to fly grew ever stronger and so he applied for officer training and was accepted into Initial Officer Training in November 1990 and then progressed to train as a navigator. Successful graduation from navigator training saw him posted to fly Tornado GR1 bombers in Germany and then onto the Tornado GR4. During his time flying this aircraft he saw operational service in Iraq, Kosovo and Afghanistan and spent time as an instructor and standards evaluator on the Tornado Operational Conversion Unit and amassed around 2500 flying hours, including 3 years spent on exchange with the French Air Force flying the Mirage 2000D (although his French language skills have diminished somewhat since his return to the UK). Following a period as a military advisor to the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory, he returned to the Tornado GR4 in Scotland as a flight commander before being posted to the headquarters at RAF High Wycombe as a staff officer. Towards the end of his time in the Royal Air Force he was posted to the newly formed Royal Air Force Safety Centre as the Fast Jet Flight Safety subject matter expert. During this time, he developed a passion for the improvement of aviation safety and gained an MSc in Safety and Human Factors in Aviation from Cranfield University; he had his first exposure to the work of the UKAB as a Board member (associated with his primary role). This experience, coupled with the appeal of gaining a greater understanding into the influence of Human Factors in aviation, led him to seek employment with the UKAB at the end of his military career and he joined the UKAB Secretariat as an Inspector in November 2019, promoted to Senior Inspector in April 2021. Following the departure of his predecessor, he took on the role of Director UKAB in August 2022. His continued appetite for aviation has led him to commence his training for a Private Pilot’s License.

Andy Ormshaw

Manager or Air Traffic Services and Airfield Accountable Manager at Cornwall Airport, Newquay

Andy Ormshaw is the Manager of Air Traffic Services and Airfield Accountable Manager at Cornwall Airport, Newquay. Andy joined Newquay in 2008 to transition the airfield/ATC from military operation – RAF St Mawgan – to a purely civil licensed airport. Previous to that he had been the Air Traffic and Safety Services Manager of Leeds Bradford International Airport.

Andy started his career in the RN, initially as a Seaman Officer, becoming a Fighter Controller and ATCO after his initial sea training. He qualified as a Civil ATCO before leaving the RN to start work at LBIA in 1995.  He retains a current ATC operational status, and after many years of being financially grounded by family commitments is attempting to regain his PPL. Andy joined Chirp in July 2021.

Dan Pryce

Independent

Dan Pryce started his aviation career learning to fly at EGSE – Ipswich Airport. An ambition to be a commercial pilot was furthered with an IMC and twin rating, but then he discovered air traffic control, or at least the GA equivalent, at the same time as running out of money for an ATPL.

Dan has worked as an air/ground operator and FISO at various airfields including Ipswich, Elmsett and Old Buckenham. Turning down a career with Eurocontrol, but rebuffed by NATS, when Ipswich closed he found himself at Wattisham as an Air Traffic Assistant. Great fun was had flying in (and occasionally flying!) lots of helicopters courtesy of the Army Air Corps.

Finally NATS gave in and took Dan under their wing in 1999. Four years at Farnborough flew by (all puns intended), and his love of GA ensured he enjoyed every minute of providing a LARS service, even on a sunny Saturday. Dan would regularly join the fray as a member of the Farnborough Aero Club. Providing a Radar Advisory Service (remember that?) to bizjets in uncontrolled Class G was not so much fun though.

Moving to Stansted Airport to be closer to home, but sadly having to give up radar (which for all the London Airports is done centrally) Dan has remained there ever since and is currently a Watch Manager and the Unit Safety Manager. A love of airshows, which started at Wethersfield in 1984 and was strengthened by being part of them at Farnborough, has continued with the occasional busman’s holiday as part of the air traffic team at RIAT Fairford.

Being part of the CHIRP General Aviation Advisory Board allows Dan to give something back to the industry that started his career.

Captain Nigel Rhind

Independent

Dorothy Saul-Pooley

Master, Honourable Company of Air Pilots

Dorothy Saul-Pooley originally qualified as a Solicitor and worked in the City for several years before learning to fly.  She left the law in the early 1990s to gain a CPL (A) and Instructor Rating and worked as an instructor full-time for several years.  She then continued to instruct part-time whilst working as an Aviation Lawyer, finally reversing the balance in 1999 to instruct full-time on Instructor courses and act as a part-time aviation consultant.  Having successfully run FI courses at Shoreham for a number of years, Dorothy set up Pooleys Flying Instructor School in early 2005 to specialise solely in the training of Flying Instructors and Examiners.  The school held approval for Instructor and Examiner Refresher seminars. Dorothy sold the school in 2018 to concentrate on writing projects and independent consultancy and has continued to provide input to a successor company delivering instructor seminars.

In addition to holding an ATPL(A) and FIC/FIE ratings on aeroplanes, Dorothy is unique in holding a CPL(H) and is also qualified as a helicopter instructor.

Dorothy was the first Chairman of the Instructor sub-Committee and is also a past Chairman of the Education and Training Committee of the Honourable Company of Air Pilots (formerly known as GAPAN).  She has served on the Court of the Air Pilots since 2001 and was for many years on the Scholarship selection committee.  She has served on the Trophies and Awards Committee since 2007. Dorothy was installed as the Master of the Honourable Company on 17th March 2014 and when she completed her term of office, on 9th March 2015, was installed as the Immediate Past Master.

Dorothy is a Liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Stationers, a director of Air Pilot Publishing Limited and a Court member of the Guild of Freemen.  In addition, Dorothy is the Founder and Chairman of the Professional Flying Instructor Association, the Governor of the British Section of the 99s, International Women Pilots Organisation, the founder and past Chairman of the Southern England (Concorde) chapter of Women in Aviation International and the author and editor of a number of training manuals.

Steve Slater

Independent

Stephen Slater, became Chief Executive officer of the Light Aircraft Association on 1st September 2015, working on behalf of around 7,500 members who operate over 4,000 sport aircraft and retired from the role in 2023.

Stephen joined the Association from a successful career in PR and marketing communications where he ran a leading agency working in sectors including aviation, the motor industry and tourism, both in the UK and in Asia.  He was for 15 years ‘the voice of Formula One’ in the Far East, working as commentator with the Singapore-based Star Sports TV channel.  He was also part of the team which created the Singapore Grand Prix, Formula One’s first-ever night race.

Stephen has been actively involved in the light aviation community for around 20 years, including spells as Chairman of the Vintage Aircraft Club and Vice-Chairman of the General Aviation Awareness Council.  His roots in flying go back to being a 14 year-old ‘hangar brat’ in the 1970s at the Middleton St. George Aero Club, at what is now Durham Tees Valley Airport, but like many he then spent time away from flying before returning when commitments allowed.

Stephen, who lives in Chesham in Buckinghamshire, owns and flies a Piper J-3 Cub based at Bicester and is co-owner and co-restorer of the ‘Biggles Biplane’, a replica 1914 BE-2c Royal Flying Corps observation biplane.

Mike Stanway

Independent

Mike started his flying as a Staff Cadet at No 12 AEF at Turnhouse (Edinburgh) and also obtained his PPL via a Flying Scholarship during this time.  He joined the RAF from school and flew assorted types almost all of which are now in museums!  His RAF flying included 10 years on Tornado GR1/1a and 5 years as Officer Commanding Wales University Air Squadron on Bulldog and Tutor; he was also one of the RAF representatives on the UKAB for some years.  After leaving the Service he was ‘persuaded’ by his Son to gain his civilian FI rating.  Mike also serves as Flying Display Director for the RAF Cosford Airshow and holds a A/G RT licence for comms at smaller display events.

Simon Tilling

The Light Aircraft Association – CEO

Rob Taylor

Independent

Rob Taylor has been an SEP (A) PPL holder since August 2004 and has logged just under 900 hours total time in fixed wing aircraft. He currently holds a class rating instructor rating, night rating, and plans to add an IR(R) rating when time allows. His passion for aviation started when he was at primary school where he would pretend to be a fast jet and take off with his arms stretched before being swept back for high-speed flight. A few years later, he progressed to ‘flying’ a beautifully made metal Spitfire attached to the end of a length of string, which was lost to centrifugal forces when a knot failure caused it to detach. It was an important first lesson in flight safety.

Rob started his career working for a firm of accountants where he discovered an interest in computer audit. He qualified as a Certified Information Systems Auditor and joined Standard Chartered Bank travelling throughout Africa, the Middle East and Asia, reviewing IT security and operations. After a short time with Citigroup, Rob joined Swiss Re as a technology auditor but was quickly seconded to the Chief Risk Officer to resolve critical problems he found with their payment systems. Building upon the success of this assignment, Rob undertook further challenges identifying root causes of highprofile problems with data and processes throughout the company and managing their resolution. He left Swiss Re in 2018 for his most challenging role as Head of Offspring Development with responsibility for his son’s journey into primary school. Outside the school-run hours, Rob now offers consultancy services to businesses covering the full scope of his experience and creates digital animations and media.

Alec Trevett

Alec started gliding with the Air Training Corps at South Cerney in Slingsby Cadet MkIII and Sedbergh T21 – solo’d at 16. Started powered flying initially as a hobby and then became a weekend flying instructor, teaching PPL, aerobatic, tailwheel and IMC Rating. Spent 30 years in the Royal Air Force as a Fighter Controller followed by 10 years with the Civil Aviation Authority Safety Regulation Group and CAA International working in Kuwait, UAE, Brunei and European States. Latterly served as Global Safety Manager for a large integrated flight training provider with training locations in UK, USA, India, Australia and Europe – dealing with SMS development, safety training, safety reporting and occurrence investigations. Currently a CPL/IR SEP & MEP and active flight instructor and examiner.

Nick Wall

Independent

Nick Wall is an aviation journalist focusing mainly on safety issues. A former Editor of a wide range of GA aviation magazines, he is, and has been, both a GA and glider pilot for many years.

Kirsty Arnold

CCAB Chair, Independent (Cabin Crew)

Kirsty’s experience includes being a SME for cabin/above wing which included operational and occupational safety for cabin crew, pilots and customers.  Kirsty’s role included SME safety lead for new aircraft entering service and retrofits – most recently the A350 and A330-900.  Kirsty was also SME for lithium-ion batteries within the cabin.  Kirsty lead investigations into significant safety incidents/accidents within cabin crew and flight operations.

Kirsty’s other roles include Cabin Crew Programme Manager at CHIRP (1996-2012) from its development into the current status following expansion from Flight Crew to include Cabin Crew, Engineers, ATCOs, General Aviation and eventually Maritime.  She was responsible for the CHIRP Cabin Crew programme from its inception until 2012. Was also the Secretariat for ICASS (International Confidential Aviation Security Systems) Group whilst at CHIRP.  Previously an In-flight Customer Experience Safety and Quality Partner at British Airways and flew as cabin crew on B747 and B777 aircraft (2012-2014).

Kirsty is a member of the Royal Aeronautical Flight Operations Group and am Chair of the Cabin Safety Specialist Group.  I am also a member of IOSH (Institution of Occupational Health and Safety).

Jen Clifford

Independent (Cabin Crew)

Jen started her career in aviation in 1999 when she joined Monarch as cabin crew, operating on the B757, A320 and A300. She joined easyJet in 2001 and progressed through various roles including Cabin Crew Line Trainer, Crew Training Instructor and Training Duty Manager before moving into the Cabin Safety Department as a Cabin Safety Coordinator. In this role, Jen completed safety investigations, led policy changes relating to cabin crew operating procedures and administered the easyJet CSPM.
In 2021 Jen moved into the Flight Operations Assurance & Process department as Technical Publications Specialist, and as such was responsible for the coordination and administration of Flight Ops Manual updates, including OM Part A. In this role she gained a deeper understanding of aviation regulations as well as experience of wider airline operations, working closely with different functions and departments.
In October 2023, Jen re-joined the safety department as Cabin Safety Manager to lead the cabin safety team. She remains a qualified Cabin Manager, operating on easyJet’s A319, A320 and A321 fleet.

Captain David Cox

Independent (Flight Crew)

David is a current A320 Captain, Type Rating Examiner (TRE) and Head of Training at Titan Airways.  He began his flying career in the Royal Air Force in 1983.  David served for 16 years flying primarily the C130 Hercules, he also completed a tour as a Qualified Flying Instructor teaching at basic flying training for ab-initio RAF pilots. 

This led to some time as a RAF Central Flying School staff instructor where he taught qualified military pilots from around the world to become flying instructors.  David’s final tour was as an instructor pilot and examiner back on the C130 Hercules.  He left the RAF in 1999 and joined Air2000 flying the A320.  As well as flying the line, David joined the Training Department as a Technical Training Pilot, CRM Instructor and latterly a Type Rating Instructor.  In 2009 he joined bacityflyer and flew the Embraer190 based at London City Airport moving into pilot management first as Pilot Manager and latterly as Head of Training.  David moved to his present position at Titan Airways in 2017 and back to the A320.

David lives in Hampshire with his wife Karen (a teacher) and their two children.  David’s son is in his final year at university and his daughter is in her A level year at sixth form college.  In his precious spare time, he enjoys sailing and his family obsession is skiing from which they are suffering a virus enforced two-year sabbatical!

Meghan Doyle

Independent (Cabin Crew)

Meghan started her aviation career in 2009 with Ryanair. Starting as a junior cabin crew and working her way up to Senior Cabin Crew, Meghan successfully progressed to Safety and Emergency Procedures Instructor in 2014. She then moved into the Inflight Safety Office as a Safety Administrator in 2017 and is currently the Inflight Safety and Security Manager. As part of this role, Meghan is responsible for safety reporting for cabin crew, completing inflight safety investigations, trend analysis and participates in safety risk assessments.

She also ensures that safety policies and just culture is promoted within the Inflight department. Meghan still holds an attestation and operates onboard regularly.

Richard Eynon

Independent (Cabin Crew)

After graduating with a bsc Biomedical Science degree from the University of Wales, Cardiff, Richard followed his ambition to become cabin crew and joined Emirates Airline in 2006. At Emirates, Richard was based in Dubai for nearly five years.  The ambition was to fly for a maximum of three years, but the industry addiction led to Richard staying longer and joining British Airways. Some fifteen years later, doesn’t time fly? 

Richard has experience of operating on the B777, B787, B747, A330, A340, A380 and A320 types.  During his time at British Airways, Richard was an SCCM, cabin crew trainer, recruiter and completed two secondments with one leading to a permanent role in the Cabin Safety Team.  Richard has been in the Cabin Safety team since 2016 and completed a NEBOSH General Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety and the CAA Cabin Inspector Theory course.  In the British Airways Cabin Safety team, Richard still holds an attestation and is licensed on the B777, B787 and A320 types and works with a team of Operational Safety Evaluators looking after the compliance oversight of SCCM line evaluations and cabin sops. 

n addition to compliance oversight, Richard also has experience investigating (actual and potential) incidents, completes risk assessments and is a member of the Cabin Safety Liaison Group (CSLG) – a group of Cabin Safety professionals from all UK operators.

Joanne Green

Independent (Cabin Crew)

Captain Chris Hanson

ATAB Chair – (Independent Flight Crew)

Chris has been flying professionally since 1985 and has worked in a management role in British Airways since 2004.  In the Royal Air Force, he flew, and trained pilots, on the Hawk and Tornado F3.  In British Airways he has gained type ratings on the Boeing 737, 757, 767,777 and 787, he also has instructor ratings and examiner authorisation on the B737, 777 and 787.

Chris’s main focus has always been the training of pilots; as a Flight Training Manager he was responsible for the management of training on the B777/787 and B737 fleets.  His management experience covered the fields of Quality, Technical and Training at both Heathrow and Gatwick and he has worked inter-departmentally within British Airways, across the airline industry as a whole, and with national and international regulatory bodies, including speaking at international training conferences.

Chris now works as a Training Standards Captain on the B777/787 fleet in British Airways, which he enjoys immensely.

Dale Hyde-Douglas

Independent (Cabin Crew)

Dale has been working in the aviation industry since 2003, most of which has been spent at Jet2. Dale has worked as Cabin Crew, progressing through to being Senior Cabin Crew and Cabin Safety Trainer, he also spent time at British Airways as Customer Service Manager and has operated on a variety of long and short haul Boeing and Airbus Aircraft.

Dale is currently the Cabin Safety Manager at Jet2, working within the Safety & Compliance team at head office in Leeds. In this current role, Dale manages safety reporting to monitor trends to be able to create a risk picture for the business, which ultimately helps ensure a safer operation and environment for the crew and passengers. Dale ensures safety investigations are also conducted in accordance with the companies “Just Culture” and advises the business as subject matter expert where required.

Lezio Liotta

Independent (Cabin Crew)

Lezio started his aviation career in 2005 where he worked for Ryanair for nearly a decade and in a variety of roles including cabin crew, senior cabin crew and SEP Instructor.

He then spent a few years working for the startup FlyDubai, the Emirates sister company in the capacity of Cabin Safety Officer where he was responsible for the entire cabin safety area including regulatory manuals, liaison with the regulator, set up of IOSA, occurrence reports / investigation and some flying duties.

In 2016 he went to work for Virgin Atlantic as Manager Cabin Safety & Training and responsible for safety & emergency procedures on A330, A340, A350, B747 and B787, departmental compliance monitoring, risk assessments, cabin crew training, IOSA, occurrence reports and investigations. In this role Lezio was also a member of the Cabin Safety Liaison Group (CSLG), a group of UK and Irish AOC Heads of Crew Safety/Training, working together for best practice related to cabin safety and training.

Lezio joined the UK CAA in 2023 as Inspecting Officer, Airworthiness. In this role, he will work with DfT and EASA and support the Safety Assessment of Foreign Aircraft Programme (SAFA/SANA). 

Kris Major

Unite (Cabin Crew)

Kris has been flying as cabin crew for nearly 20 years and a workplace rep for almost 16 years.  He started at bmi and progressed to Cabin Service Manager and was also a Cabin Safety Trainer.

Kris is currently a Cabin Service Director at British Airways.  He has a seat on the Cabin Crew Advisory Group and European Transport Federation, where his main function is to consider and offer opinion on issues affecting European commercial aviation. Recently, he has trained over 500 delegates on EASA Flight Time Limitations scheme and compiled 3 technical books and several courses, both National and International.

He values CHIRP as a vital tool in maintaining safe flying operations and considers his place on the Cabin Crew Advisory Board as one of the highlights of his career.

John Lobo-Pires

Independent (Cabin Crew)

John joined Virgin Atlantic in 2001 as Cabin Crew and worked through the ranks to Flight Service Manager. In 2009 he became a Cabin Safety Training Instructor and since 2023 has been the Manager – Cabin Operations & Training. John is responsible for the Ops Manuals B and D, as well as standard operating and emergency procedures for A330, A350 and 787 aircraft. He is also responsible for departmental compliance monitoring, risk assessments, cabin crew training and safety investigations. John continues to fly online as a Flight Service Manager monthly so he is visible to the crew community.

Wendy Nair

Independent (Cabin Crew)

Wendy started her Aviation career when she joined Monarch in 1997, over a period of 13 years Wendy operated on the A330, B757, A330, A320, A321 and B767. Wendy progressed to the position of Cabin Safety Instructor prior to leaving in 2010.

Wendy joined her current employer, AirTanker in 2012 whilst the operation was still in the start up phase. Over the last 10 years Wendy has introduced 14 A330 aircraft consisting of both civilian and military registered aircraft. Wendy still operates on the A330 and delivers all subjects relating to Cabin crew training. In addition as Cabin Standards Manager, Wendy holds responsibility for all processes and procedures relating to cabin safety.

Richard Oxbrough

Independent (Cabin Crew)

Worked within the aviation industry since 2002, working for Ryanair, Excel Airways, Aer Lingus, Strategic Airlines and now Eastern Airways since 2012. During my career held the roles of Cabin Crew, Purser, Line Trainer, Classroom Trainer and now find myself in the position of Head of Cabin Services & Training. I still maintain my recency on 3 aircraft types ERJ/ATR/EJET and fly the line when I’m able to.

Helena Roman Echevarria

Independent (Cabin Crew)

Helena started as Cabin Crew Member in Ryanair DAC in 2009 and became Senior Cabin Crew Member in 2014. In 2016 she became a Safety and Emergency Procedures Instructor, becoming a Safety and Emergency Procedures Examiner within the Company in 2018. At the end of 2019 Helena joined Laudamotion gmbh as Inflight Safety Officer and transferred to Vienna. In November 2020 she became Manager of Inflight Safety & Safety Training in Lauda Europe Ltd.

As Manager of Inflight Safety & Safety Training Helena participated on the set up of the Inflight Safety Office and the Inflight Training Department in Lauda Europe. Helena is responsible of the Safety Cabin Crew Reporting System, completing inflight safety investigations, trend analysis and participates in safety risk assessments. Helena ensures that safety policies and just culture is promoted within the Inflight Department. She’s also responsible for Cabin Crew Safety and Emergency Procedures Training and the Safety and Emergency Procedures Manual

Adam Rowland

Independent (Cabin Crew)

Adam started his aviation career in 1995 as ‘summer only’ cabin crew with Airtours International on its 757s flying out of Glasgow.   Along with his experience as cabin crew on larger jets he also operated as single crew on turboprops with British Airways franchise cityflyer Express at Gatwick on the ATR42 and 72, progressing to Line Trainer there.  Became Safety Training Manager at Astraeus during its start-up and growth from 2001 to 2006, flying regularly alongside his management responsibilities.  Joined Zoom Airlines in the same management role through its start-up and regulatory approvals to fly 767 aircraft, and operated as Cabin Manager. 

Adam then joined the UK CAA as a Cabin Safety Inspector in 2009.  After intensive training and rigorous CAA sign-off processes became a cabin safety inspector, undertaking inspections and audits on a wide range of UK operators, including the introduction of the 787 and A380 to UK AOC holders.  Represented the CAA on the cabin crew CHIRP programme, attended EASA rulemaking task groups and provided regulatory oversight of cabin operations of UK airlines flying Hajj contracts.  

In 2015, joined easyjet as Training Manager – Safety, Security & First Aid,  and has been responsible for developments in the airline’s training methodology and delivery.  Adam has extensive knowledge of EASA  CS25 and an understanding of Part M and Part 145 through aircraft delivery and into service checks, gained from both an operator’s and a regulator’s perspective.

Claire Simpson

UNITE Regional Manager (Cabin Crew)

Claire has worked within the Aviation Industry for over 25 years. First as Cabin Crew gaining valuable experience in the air before joining Unites predecessor unions.

Claire’s work over the years has seen her support cabin crew through the impacts of 9/11 and the recent pandemic as well as lobby for support for the aviation industry at these critical times.

Her work also has included supporting Unites Cabin Crew Advisory Group which has seen the group raise the profile of Toxic Air and support those cabin crew impacted by fume events.

The focus on safety and the critical role that cabin crew have in delivering this day to day is supported by the reporting mechanism provided by CHRIP and essential to safe flying operations.

Nicola Walker

Independent (Cabin Crew)

I started flying career in MAN for airtours International in 1996-2003, qualified on various aircraft types including A320/321 7A330, B757/B767 and worked on the Air New Zealand damp less aircraft B747-200 for a year. Wanted to be based near to my home town of Leeds , joined Jet2 on the first Cabin Crew course and have been there ever since. 

I was promoted to Performance Trainer specializing in SEP/ Security& Dangerous Goods / Disruptive Passenger Training/  First Aid / Manual Handling, a role I loved and enjoyed for over ten year.

In 2016 I needed a challenge and was promoted to Cabin Standards Manager, which was a new role for the Cabin Services Department. During my time to date , I have developed key relationships with many departments including engineering, IFR and Cabin Safety. I play an integral part in implanting changes to our procedures and processes, which is driven from Audit data and Safety reports.

I manage a Team of Auditors, that takes a look at Cabin Services Operating Procedures, Training Facilities and Ground School Training, ensuring as a department, we are fully complaint with all our processes and procedures, aware of risk factors and maintain a safe working environment on board our aircraft.

Air Cdre Dai Whittingham FRAeS

Chief Executive, UK Flight Safety Committee

Dai Whittingham joined the RAF as a pilot in 1974.  He flew Phantoms in the Air Defence fighter role and served as a flying instructor on the Jet Provost.  He has commanded an E-3D AWACS squadron and the main operating base of RAF Waddington. A graduate of the Royal College of Defence Studies, he deployed in 2004 as the Air Component Commander for all UK flying operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, prior to taking up a MOD operational management appointment.  MOD duties included policy for air safety, UK and European airspace, ATM aircraft equipment and UAVs; he also chaired the Military Aviation Regulatory Group.  He has held responsibility for operational management and oversight of all RAF airborne surveillance platforms and the RAF Search and Rescue Force.  His last formal military appointment was as Deputy Commander, NATO Airborne Early Warning and Control Force. Dai joined the UKFSC as Chief Executive in February 2012, where he works with a wide range of industry partners to improve commercial aviation safety.  Currently Chairman of the national Laser Working Group and the Honourable Company of Air Pilots Technical Committee, he is also a member of the RAeS Flight Operations Group and several industry forums in the UK and Europe.

Kurt Wilson

Independent (Cabin Crew)

Kurt started his aviation career with easyJet back in 2003. Starting as cabin crew and then moving on to various other roles over a 17 year career. He was a pre-ops crewing officer in their Operations Control Centre and then became part of the people management team for Cabin Services. Kurt was then offered the chance to join the Cabin Safety team where he was given the responsibility for some key safety projects for the airline. He helped with the delivery of new aircraft variants, reviewed various cabin SOP’s and worked closely with the regulators. Once these projects were delivered, Kurt was given the opportunity to become the Risk Management Specialist for Operations. In May 2022 Kurt then went on to join Loganair, where he now leads Cabin Services and has responsibility for Cabin Safety. He joined the Cabin Crew Advisory Board for CHIRP in March 2023.

Rob Buckley

DUASAB Chair – Independent

Rob was elected in 2011 as secretary of the UK Large Model Association (LMA), and since 2015 has worked with the UK DfT, CAA and the other UK model flying associations to steer and define the national implementation of model flying regulation under the EASA unmanned aircraft rules. He also sits on several CAA working groups representing the interests of model aircraft flyers. In 2016, he was a founder member of the European Model Flying Union and is an executive board member. He started flying model aircraft in 1982, and has built and flown everything from free flight gliders to turbine powered aircraft but never really got on with helicopters. 

Since 2021 he has been Chief Engineer of the LMA, defining the design requirements and flightworthiness assessment processes for large model aircraft up to 150kg and their pilots.

He trained as an aeronautical engineer, and since 1996 has worked on the design, airworthiness and certification of balloons, airships, light aircraft, airliners and both large and small unmanned aircraft platforms as a chartered mechanical engineer. He additionally brings experience of the identification and mitigation of human factors and human error in large aircraft maintenance. He gained a fixed wing PPL in 2018 and now has a share in a permit to fly vintage aircraft.

During his career in Airbus, he was Civil Certification Manager for the Zephyr unmanned high altitude HAPS platform and Head of Operations & Chief Pilot of the Filton Unmanned Demonstrator aircraft organisation.

Simon Dale

FPV UK

David Phipps

Chief Executive, The British Model Flying Association (BMFA)