Rupert obtained his PPL in 1976. He is currently a qualified UAS pilot and Managing Director of Bridgeway Aerial Ltd., a UAS Operator that he co-founded in 2010. From 2003 to January 2017 he was the Managing Director and Accountable Manager of AirMed, an Oxford airport based fixed wing air ambulance operator. AirMed had a worldwide AOC, a Part M approval and an EASA 145 maintenance facility for its fleet of Learjet 35A and Piper Cheyenne turboprop aircraft. AirMed also had a TRTO for its turboprop aircraft.
Rupert is a Director of ARPAS UK, the professional UAS Operators non-profit trade association and sits on the CAA chaired NATMAC, FAC and the UAS stakeholders Committees, on behalf of ARPAS members.
Prior to 2003 Rupert spent 15 years in the Investment Banking business based in London and Paris. The majority of this period was spent with Swiss Bank Corporation prior to its merger with UBS. He worked across many disciplines including the debt, equity and advisory businesses.
In his spare time, Rupert competes in the occasional Triathlon. He lives in Oxfordshire with his wife Marie, where their two children Alec and Flavia regularly visit them from London. They all spend time in France as often as they can.
Rupert joined CHIRP as the Drone Programme Manager in September 2020. He is responsible for answering all drone and UAS reports.