Royal Aeronautical Society Weybridge Surrey Branch – Meetings & Lectures
Royal Aeronautical Society Weybridge
The Weybridge Branch of the Royal Aeronautical Society (RAeS) is one of many branches all around the world, which together with divisions deliver a diverse range of high quality activities and services at a local and regional level. Discover other branches here.
The Weybridge Branch was founded in June 1937 by its first President, R.K Pierson, who was the chief designer at Vickers Limited, later Vickers-Armstrongs Aircraft Ltd, which was based at Brooklands, Weybridge. He was responsible for the Vickers Vimy, a heavy bomber designed during World War 1, that was the first aircraft to complete a non-stop trans-Atlantic flight. He was also the chief designer of the Vickers Wellington, the bomber produced in the highest quantity of any British-built bomber for the duration of World War 2, and the only example currently on display is at Brooklands Museum.
Talks are held throughout the year and commonly held at Brooklands Museum Weybridge, the most prestigious of which is the annual R.K Pierson lecture. The inaugural R.K Pierson lecture took place in 1952 (the first of the Branch named lectures) and was a biographical recall of Pierson by Sir Roy Fedden, his Bristol aero engine partner and personal friend.
The Royal Aeronautical Society is the world’s only professional body dedicated to the entire aerospace community. The Society promotes the highest professional standards in all aerospace disciplines; provides specialist information; acts as a central forum for the exchange of ideas; and plays a leading role in influencing opinion on aerospace matters. For more information about the Royal Aeronautical Society visit our website.
Weybridge Branch Contact Details
President: Mr Allan Winn, BE(Mech), FRAeS
Secretary: John Johnson
Contact: John Johnson
Email: wraesmemsec@outlook.com
Website: RAeS Weybridge Branch
Now on Facebook: facebook.com/groups/1466887870504134/
Venue, Times, Bar & Optional Meal
Meetings are held at the Brooklands Museum, Weybridge, Surrey, KT13 0QN (normally in the Napier Room). The private Brooklands Club Members bar is open to us from 5:45 pm – please use card payment for drinks. An optional meal is available prior to the lecture as normal but in the museum cafe. Payment is now made direct to the museum on the night but please do notify us via the email address below if you would like to eat to enable the museum to prepare enough meals.
All are welcome (RAeS membership is not required). There is an entry donation of £5.00 (please use card payment) at the door. This donation is not expected from those under the age of 21 or holders of a current Student Union card.
Directions: See directly below
For more Information please contact: wraesmemsec@outlook.com
Brooklands Museum - Directions For Society Lectures
Meetings are held at the Brooklands Museum, Weybridge, Surrey, KT13 0QN.
Museum access for meetings is through the gates at what3words location ‘thing.asleep.pack’.
If northbound on the Brooklands Road, after the Shell garage on the left there is a roundabout. IGNORE THE BROWN HERITAGE SIGNS TO BROOKLANDS. 400 meters north of the roundabout turn left at the entrance signed Brooklands Museum Cambell Gate. Keep left for the Campbell Gate, steeply downhill. The electric gates are open from 6pm, if not there is a push button on the keypad on the right of the gate to contact Reception.
Upcoming Events
Air defence of the UK since 1940 - The evolution of radar and tactics to the present day
From its early days in the Battle of Britain to today’s high technology fighters there has always been a need for tactical assistance from the ground. Joe will discuss the role of the Fighter Controller and the advances in technology which allowed them to put aircraft in a winning position in the air battle. Also covered will be the tactics used as they evolved over time with aircraft development and improvements to the equipment involved from the Spitfire to the F35 Lightning II, from Chain Home radar to the digital Air Defence Systems of today.
Speaker: Squadron Leader Joe Marsden.
Joe Marsden trained as a Naval Architect before joining the RAF in 1971 to train as a pilot. He flew Vulcans on 27 & 617 Squadrons before moving on to Canberras with No 7 Sqn. A tour at the School of Air Navigation as a ground instructor and flying the Dominie and Jetstream aircraft was followed by a move to 85 Sqn as an Engagement Controller on Bloodhound Surface to Air Missiles. A neck injury prevented a return to flying duties so Joe re-mustered to the Fighter Control Branch. Subsequent tours as an Intercept Controller, Fighter Allocator and Master Controller involved operations up and down the East Coast of the UK and 3 tours in the Falkland Islands. His final tour in the RAF was Chief Designer of the operational software on the E-3D AWACS.
After leaving the RAF in 2000 Joe relocated to Venice working for a multi-national aerospace company supporting the NATO E-3A fleet. Following that he worked for BAe Systems in Kent and then Raytheon on the ASTOR/Sentinel programme. Subsequently, he was asked to be a consultant on the NATO Air Command and Control System based in Brussels which he carried out from 2008 to 2014.
Joe Marsden trained as a Naval Architect before joining the RAF in 1971 to train as a pilot. He flew Vulcans on 27 & 617 Squadrons before moving on to Canberras with No 7 Sqn. A tour at the School of Air Navigation as a ground instructor and flying the Dominie and Jetstream aircraft was followed by a move to 85 Sqn as an Engagement Controller on Bloodhound Surface to Air Missiles. A neck injury prevented a return to flying duties so Joe re-mustered to the Fighter Control Branch. Subsequent tours as an Intercept Controller, Fighter Allocator and Master Controller involved operations up and down the East Coast of the UK and 3 tours in the Falkland Islands. His final tour in the RAF was Chief Designer of the operational software on the E-3D AWACS.
After leaving the RAF in 2000 Joe relocated to Venice working for a multi-national aerospace company supporting the NATO E-3A fleet. Following that he worked for BAe Systems in Kent and then Raytheon on the ASTOR/Sentinel programme. Subsequently, he was asked to be a consultant on the NATO Air Command and Control System based in Brussels which he carried out from 2008 to 2014.
Since retiring, Joe has been involved with the Tangmere Aviation Museum, where he has a Canberra Cockpit (WE113). He has also provided support to Vulcan XL426 at Southend Airport. Currently Joe is an active watchkeeper and Station Training Officer with the National Coastwatch Institution based in Gosport.Joe Marsden trained as a Naval Architect before joining the RAF in 1971 to train as a pilot. He flew Vulcans on 27 & 617 Squadrons before moving on to Canberras with No 7 Sqn. A tour at the School of Air Navigation as a ground instructor and flying the Dominie and Jetstream aircraft was followed by a move to 85 Sqn as an Engagement Controller on Bloodhound Surface to Air Missiles. A neck injury prevented a return to flying duties so Joe re-mustered to the Fighter Control Branch. Subsequent tours as an Intercept Controller, Fighter Allocator and Master Controller involved operations up and down the East Coast of the UK and 3 tours in the Falkland Islands. His final tour in the RAF was Chief Designer of the operational software on the E-3D AWACS.
After leaving the RAF in 2000 Joe relocated to Venice working for a multi-national aerospace company supporting the NATO E-3A fleet. Following that he worked for BAe Systems in Kent and then Raytheon on the ASTOR/Sentinel programme. Subsequently, he was asked to be a consultant on the NATO Air Command and Control System based in Brussels which he carried out from 2008 to 2014.
Since retiring, Joe has been involved with the Tangmere Aviation Museum, where he has a Canberra Cockpit (WE113). He has also provided support to Vulcan XL426 at Southend Airport. Currently Joe is an active watchkeeper and Station Training Officer with the National Coastwatch Institution based in Gosport.
Venue: Brooklands Museum, (Campbell Gate Entrance), Weybridge, Surrey, KT13 0QN
See Direction section above for more information.
Date: Wednesday 16 April 2025
Times:
Gates open 17:45 (for meal)
Lecture start : 18:45
Lecture end 21:00
Registration: No registration or Society membership is required but you are asked to sign in on arrival. A £5 donation is kindly requested from all except students and those under 21.
Certificates of Attendance for C.Eng or CPD purposes are available on request.
Contact: Mr Alan Simmons
Email: wraesmemsec@outlook.com
Tel: 01249 321785
Tornado
Nick returns to Weybridge for a third time to relate his final RAF tour flying the Tornado F.3 as a Flight Commander with 111(F) Squadron. In his previous lectures about flying the F4 Phantom and the F/A 18 Hornet he has alluded to the Tornado F.3 not be being the best airframe for Air Defence. We will hear about its limitations and drawbacks in a world of manoeuvrability and power.
Speaker: Captain Nick Anderson.
Nick Anderson is a recently retired Captain for Virgin Atlantic Airways who previously served in the RAF and RAAF for 19 years.
His father was an RAAF Sunderland pilot at Plymouth during WW2 and his Mother a WAAF Operations Officer.
He started off in the Air Training Corps, applied to the RAF aged 20 in 1974 and flew the McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantoms for No43(F) Sqn at RAF Leuchars in Fyfe, Scotland. He was also a Fast Jet A1 QFI at RAF Valley and a qualified Weapons Instructor on the Phantom.
He then became an exchange pilot with the RAAF on the F/A18 Hornet at RAAF Williamtown, New South Wales. His career concluded as an F3 Tornado pilot and Flight Commander with 111(F) Sqn at RAF Leuchars.
He retired as a Squadron Leader in 1993 and was gainfully employed with Virgin Atlantic Airways on the Airbus A340-300, A340-600 and A330 from May 1994 until May 2019.
His retirement from professional flying has given him the time to podcast with the:- Airline Pilot Guy show! – and despite his flying career he is still happily married after 42 years with 2 grown up lads.
Venue: Brooklands Museum, (Campbell Gate Entrance), Weybridge, Surrey, KT13 0QN
See Direction section above for more information.
Date: Wednesday 19 March 2025
Times:
Gates open 17:45 (for meal)
Lecture start : 18:45
Lecture end 21:00
Registration: No registration or Society membership is required but you are asked to sign in on arrival. A £5 donation is kindly requested from all except students and those under 21.
Certificates of Attendance for C.Eng or CPD purposes are available on request.
Contact: Mr Alan Simmons
Email: wraesmemsec@outlook.com
Tel: 01249 321785
The History of the 5 Ark Royals
The lecture will cover the story of the 5 ships that have been called Ark Royal starting with the first one of 1586 that was the flagship of the fleet that defeated the Spanish Armada in 1588. A WW1 Seaplane carrier. A WWII aircraft carrier that the Germans famously reported sunk on several occasions. The post war carrier that starred in the BBC Documentary ‘Sailor’ and finally the last Ark Royal that carried the Harrier in its various guises.
Speaker: Rear Admiral David Snelson CB FNI.
David Snelson has a background steeped in the maritime world, serving in the Royal Navy for 37 years, initially training as a fighter controller and bridge watch-keeper. During his time as a junior officer in 1978 he served in HMS Ark Royal IV. Later in his career he commanded 2 destroyers and the aircraft carrier HMS Ark Royal V. In 2003 he was the UK Task Force Commander for the second Gulf War.
He left the RN in 2006 to become the Chief Harbour Master of the Port of London. He also worked for the Port of Milford Haven and the Maritime and Coastguard Agency.
David is interested in British maritime history as well as keenly following contemporary maritime affairs and their contribution to our modern interconnected world.
David is an Elder Brother of Trinity House, an Associate Fellow of the Royal Institute of Navigation and a Fellow of the Nautical Institute. He was made a Companion of the Bath in the 2004 New Year’s honours list and was awarded the Legion of Merit by the US government in 2005.
Venue: Brooklands Museum, (Campbell Gate Entrance), Weybridge, Surrey, KT13 0QN
See Direction section above for more information.
Date: Wednesday 19 February 2025
Times:
Gates open 17:45 (for meal)
Lecture start : 18:45
Lecture end 21:00
Registration: No registration or Society membership is required but you are asked to sign in on arrival. A £5 donation is kindly requested from all except students and those under 21.
Certificates of Attendance for C.Eng or CPD purposes are available on request.
Contact: Mr Alan Simmons
Email: wraesmemsec@outlook.com
Tel: 01249 321785
Airlander - Lecture on Airlander and its aims
Larger, more fuel-efficient and lower-impact than aeroplanes, faster than travelling by land and sea, and capable of operating away from fixed infrastructure. Airlander will provide large-scale advanced regional air mobility for passengers, logistics and freight. It will enable long- range, long-endurance flights for eco-tourism, humanitarian and security services.
Airlander’s Head of Airworthiness Andrew Barber will review Airlander’s design, engineering, and unique operational capabilities in sustainable aviation
Speaker: Andrew Barber Head of Airlander Airworthiness.
Venue: Brooklands Museum, (Campbell Gate Entrance), Weybridge, Surrey, KT13 0QN
See Direction section above for more information.
Date: Wednesday 15 January 2025
Times:
Gates open 17:45
Lecture start : 18:45
Lecture end 21:00
Registration: No registration or Society membership is required but you are asked to sign in on arrival. A £5 donation is kindly requested from all except students and those under 21.
Certificates of Attendance for C.Eng or CPD purposes are available on request.
Contact: Mr Alan Simmons
Email: wraesmemsec@outlook.com
Tel: 01249 321785
The 69th R. K. Pierson Lecture - Unleashing The Power of Satellites for Climate Action
Space-based sensors offer a unique opportunity to capture global data on climate over time. However, as more and more data is generated, we also need to ensure that the data collected is trusted and reliable. Having reliable data from Earth observation systems is critical to achieving international targets, such as those set out in the Paris Agreement.
NPL are leading international activities to improve the quality and reliability of Earth observation data, and developing new measurement techniques and instrumentation to reduce the associated measurement uncertainties
Speaker: Dr. Emma Wooliams – National Physical Laboratory (NPL)
About The Speaker:
Emma Woolliams leads NPL’s work in the application of metrological techniques to satellite Earth Observation, with particular focus on the calibration and validation of satellite level 1 products.
Emma joined NPL in 1998 after her degree at Imperial College London and started her career by setting up NPL’s spectral irradiance facility, earning her PhD from Manchester in 2003 based on this work. Her early research covered radiometry, photometry and high temperature measurement. During this time she led an international project to establish the transition temperature of high temperature fixed points as references for temperature scales, as well as working on projects covering the calibration of Earth observation sensors and the verification and testing of LED lighting. Throughout this period Emma gained a reputation as an expert in uncertainty and comparison analysis, particularly for spectral quantities.
Emma Woolliams now focusses on the application of the core metrological concepts – traceability, uncertainty analysis and comparison – to satellite Earth observation and particularly to level 1 products (the measurement of radiance from space). She is a founding member (and technical secretary) of the RadCalNet (www.radcalnet.org) working group, establishing a network of instrumented reference sites and is the chief metrologist on the FIDUCEO (www.fiduceo.eu) project that is developing metrologically rigorous climate data records from historical sensor series. Emma’s team works on projects performing in situ measurements in desert and ocean sites, radiometric uncertainty tools for the Sentinel 2 instruments and performing sensor-to-ground and sensor-to-sensor cross comparisons to improve satellite interoperability.
Venue: Brooklands Museum, (Campbell Gate Entrance), Weybridge, Surrey, KT13 0QN
See Direction section above for more information.
Date: Wednesday 27 November 2024
Times:
Gates open 17:45
Lecture start : 18:45
Lecture end 21:00
Registration: No registration or Society membership is required but you are asked to sign in on arrival. A £5 donation is kindly requested from all except students and those under 21.
Certificates of Attendance for C.Eng or CPD purposes are available on request.
Contact: Mr Alan Simmons
Email: wraesmemsec@outlook.com
Tel: 01249 321785
Sputnik in Context
We all know that the launch of Sputnik 1 surprised everyone, putting the world’s first man made satellite into orbit. John takes a look at the lead up to this event, in both the USSR and the rest of the world, the galvanising effect this had on the USA, and how this affects us still to this day. There are light-hearted references that many of the audience will remember from their own much younger days.
Speaker: John Axtell FRAS
About The Speaker:
John spent his career in IT, starting of in the mid-60s as a computer programmer but specialising later in structured systems analysis and business analysis. His lifelong passion has been astronomy closely followed by an interest in all things aviation, and spaceflight in many ways is a blend of the two.
John is well known in local astronomical circles, having served as Secretary of Guildford Astronomical Society for a number of years and for presenting ’Stars over Surrey’ on Brooklands Radio. He has also acted as Secretary of the Southern Area Group of Astronomical Societies and Membership Secretary of the Federation of Astronomical Societies (a UK-wide body). He was honoured for his work in amateur astronomy by being made a Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society. He has acted as a volunteer at Brooklands Museum on the aviation side and currently acts as photographer for the Museum’s Fly-In events.
Venue: Brooklands Museum, (Campbell Gate Entrance), Weybridge, Surrey, KT13 0QN
See Direction section above for more information.
Date: Wednesday 30 October 2024
Times:
Gates open 17:45
Lecture start : 18:45
Lecture end 21:00
Registration: No registration or Society membership is required but you are asked to sign in on arrival. A £5 donation is kindly requested from all except students and those under 21.
Certificates of Attendance for C.Eng or CPD purposes are available on request.
Contact: Mr Alan Simmons
Email: wraesmemsec@outlook.com
Tel: 01249 321785
Past Events
Voyager - Airbus to AirTanker
Voyager is the RAF strategic air-to-air refuelling and air transport asset based at RAF Brize Norton. Based on the Airbus A330 and introduced in 2012, the aircraft is the centrepiece of the Future Strategic Tanker Aircraft service provision project. This service is provided by AirTanker, which owns the aircraft and all the support infrastructure to provide the service to the RAF 24/7 365 days a year. You will hear about the aircraft and its origin, and the Voyager Force, the joint organisation that provides Voyager to UK armed forces
Speaker: Geoff Winterbottom – Head of Voyager Capability at AirTanker
About The Speaker:
Geoff Winterbottom is a Chartered Aeronautical Engineer, a Fellow of the RAeS and currently an elected member of the RAeS Council. He is Head of Voyager Capability Development with AirTanker at RAF Brize Norton, where he oversees all military upgrade programmes and projects on the Voyager aircraft. Before this he acted as the Aircraft Acceptance Manager, responsible for acceptance and delivery of all 14 aircraft. He joined ATr in 2008 at the very beginning! Before this, he worked at Boscombe Down from 1999 to 2008 as a Principle Engineer and Trials Officer on large fixed-wing aircraft and before that 10 years at Farnborough, starting his career as an RAE Aircraft Apprentice.
Venue: Brooklands Museum, (Campbell Gate Entrance), Weybridge, Surrey, KT13 0QN
See Direction section above for more information.
Date: Wednesday 2 October 2024
Times:
Gates open 17:45
Lecture start : 18:45
Lecture end 21:00
Registration: No registration or Society membership is required but you are asked to sign in on arrival. A £5 donation is kindly requested from all except students and those under 21.
Certificates of Attendance for C.Eng or CPD purposes are available on request.
Contact: Mr Alan Simmons
Email: wraesmemsec@outlook.com
Tel: 01249 321785
The James Webb Space Telescope
The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) is the largest telescope in space. It is equipped with highly sensitive instruments to view objects too old, distant or faint for the Hubble Telescope. Charles’ talk will outline some of the requirements of the JWST and describe how they have been addressed by engineers, technologists and scientists. He will then briefly describe the telescope’s more significant achievements to date.
Speaker: Charles Dixon
About The Speaker:
Charles studied Mechanical Engineering and was then employed by the MoD to provide decision support for development, procurement and application of army weapon systems.
He also supported military commanders on deployment to operations in the Gulf War, Bosnia and Kosovo. On retirement in 2012 he developed an interest in astronomy.
His talk will outline some of the requirements of the JWST and describe how they have been addressed by engineers, technologists and scientists. He will then briefly describe the telescope’s more significant achievements to date.
Venue: Brooklands Museum, (Campbell Gate Entrance), Weybridge, Surrey, KT13 0QN
See Direction section above for more information.
Date: Wednesday 4 September 2024
Times:
Gates open 17:45
Lecture start : 18:45
Lecture end 21:00
Registration: No registration or Society membership is required but you are asked to sign in on arrival. A £5 donation is kindly requested from all except students and those under 21.
Certificates of Attendance for C.Eng or CPD purposes are available on request.
Contact: Mr Alan Simmons
Email: wraesmemsec@outlook.com
Tel: 01249 321785
AGM and Lecture: The Westland Wasp
For our final event of the 23/24 lecture season and AGM, we are delighted to welcome Dr Terry Martin to deliver a talk on the Westland Wasp helicopter.
Subject to aircraft serviceability & weather Terry will arrive in XT787 & land outside the Brooklands Clubhouse at 15:00 after which the aircraft will available for viewing.
The talk will cover the helicopter’s fascinating history and how it evolved and developed in trials and in service. Reference will be made to sites all around the south and southwest which played a part in the Wasp’s life-cycle, and naturally there will be stories from those who flew Wasps on active service. The presentation will end with a short summary of Terry’s experiences keeping the history alive and the challenges of meeting the maintenance and other essential requirements that keep these old ‘paraffin budgies’ in the air
The intended timetable is
15:00 Wasp lands and is available for viewing
16:00 – 17:00 AGM
17:45 Meal served (payable extra- must be ordered in advance)
18:45 – 20:30 Lecture by Wg Cdr (Dr) Terry Martin RAF (retd) FRAeS
Speaker: Mr Russell Porter, Head of New User Engagement at NATS
About The Speaker: Wg Cdr (Dr) Terry Martin RAF (retd) FRAeS, Display Pilot/Owner XT787, Westland Wasp Historic Flight
Terry started his career as a Royal Air Force doctor and was fortunate to receive training in fixed wing and helicopter flying during his service career.
He is a recently retired Consultant and Associate Professor in Anaesthesia and Intensive Care Medicine with extensive previous experience in Aerospace Physiology and Emergency Medicine, and he has been involved in the organisation, practice, research and teaching of military and civilian air ambulance transport since 1983. His active service included tours in Belize, Germany and Saudi Arabia (Gulf War) as well as many other detachments around the world with some notable roles including Senior Medical Officer at the former RAF Institute of Aviation Medicine at Farnborough and Locum Director General of the Medical Service of the Royal New Zealand Air Force.
Terry was also one of the first doctors to work as a Trauma Registrar in the UK, with the world-leading London’s Air Ambulance service in its earliest days.
When not working in clinical medicine, Terry’s other great passion is flying and displaying his historic Westland Wasp helicopter, XT787, which has served in both the Royal Navy and the Royal New Zealand Navy, and is still flying in 2024, its 57th year after delivery to the RN in 1967.
Venue: Brooklands Museum, (Campbell Gate Entrance), Weybridge, Surrey, KT13 0QN
See Direction section above for more information.
Date: Wednesday 15 May 2024
Times:
Gates Open at 14:15
Optional meal start at 17:45
Lecture start at 18:45
Lecture end at 20:30
Registration: No registration required but you are asked to sign
in on arrival. £5 donation kindly requested from all except students and those under 21.
Contact: Mr Alan Simmons
Email: wraesmemsec@outlook.com
Tel: 01249 321785
Development of UK airspace and its use over the next 20 years
A lecture on the radical overhaul & development of UK airspace to ensure the seamless introduction of new air systems into an already complex system.
Speaker: Mr Russell Porter, Head of New User Engagement at NATS
About The Speaker:
Russell Porter is Head of New User Engagement at NATS, focussed upon the safe integration of new airspace users. He is Chair of the ‘Beyond Visual Line of Sight’ Operations Forum, a forum of the UK’s leading drone operators seeking to safely integrate sustainable drone operations in the UK and step towards the decarbonisation of aviation. Russell’s background is in aviation, having worked in fast jet cockpit design and a range of ATC human factors and safety roles.
Venue: Brooklands Museum, (Campbell Gate Entrance), Weybridge, Surrey, KT13 0QN
See Direction section above for more information.
Date: Wednesday 17 April 2024
Times:
Gates Open at 17:30
Optional meal start at 17:45
Lecture start at 18:45
Lecture end at 20:30
Registration: No registration required but you are asked to sign
in on arrival. £5 donation kindly requested from all except students and those under 21.
Contact: Mr Alan Simmons
Email: wraesmemsec@outlook.com
Tel: 01249 321785
Earlier Events This Year and Prior Years
