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