Contact Simon Davies
- Email: S.G.Davies@cranfield.ac.uk
Areas of expertise
- Airworthiness
- Test and Evaluation
- Electric and Hybrid Vehicles
- Human Factors
- Human Factors for Defence
Background
I have been involved with aviation through my entire working life, and I am a former military fast-jet test pilot. I studied aeronautical engineering at the University of Cambridge, trained as a test pilot with the US Navy, and have 20+ years flying experience in 40+ types including jets, vintage aircraft, airships and helicopters. I hold an EASA Cat 1 Flight Test Rating, a Commercial Pilot's Licence (Aeroplanes), Instrument Rating, and a Flight Instructor rating. I am Graduate of the United States Naval Test Pilot School and the University of Cambridge, where I studied engineering.
I am active in the area of Urban Air Mobility and the electrification of aviation, and am a member of the ADS UAM Working Group in the UK. I have a particular personal and professional interest in user interfaces, and am constantly amazed by the huge difference that thoughtful design can have on a system's usability. I enjoy making and maintaining relaxed but productive relationships with customers and colleagues, and I place enormous value on diplomacy, objectivity and integrity, especially in flight test. In former roles, I have been a leader, instructor and examiner in aviation, and I have over 15 years experience in safety management, both in routine air operations and within flight test.
Current activities
Interests in:
- Electric Flight
- Urban Air Mobility
- Flight Test & Certification Methods
- Ergonomics & Spatial Disorientation
Clients
Over the years I have worked with both small companies and large organisations including governments and multi-national corporations. I have worked for or with:
- The UK MoD and Royal Air Force
- QinetiQ
- The US DoD
- BAE Systems
- Airbus Military
- Hybrid Air Vehicles Ltd
- 2Excel Aviation Ltd
- Numerous aerospace start-ups