Contact Simon Davies

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

Publications

Articles In Journals