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
The Weybridge Branch of the Royal Aeronautical Society is most grateful for the various privileges that we enjoy at Brooklands and makes an annual donation to the Museum.
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 JTI (in 50 cm letters set against a grey stone wall). 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
The 68th R. K. Pierson Lecture Aviation & the Environment – Gathering Storm or Golden Opportunity?
Aviation emissions make a significant contribution to global warming and global warming is back at the top of the political agenda. Currently, traffic is rapidly returning to the pre-covid levels and annual growth rates of 4% to 5% are expected in the near term. There will be increased pressure to reduce emissions and this could put the industry at risk.
Government emphasis is on carbon dioxide. However, this delivers less than half of aviation’s total environmental impact and it appears to be very difficult to reduce this in the short term. By far the largest contribution comes from contrail and contrail-induced cirrus cloud and yet this has received hardly any attention. Why is this?
The lecture will describe how aviation affects the environment and how, with targeted action, very significant improvements, even reductions, in environmental impact could be made in the short term with no new technology and very little cost.
Speaker: Ian Poll
About The Speaker:
Ian Poll is Emeritus Professor of Aerospace Engineering at Cranfield University and CEO of Poll AeroSciences Ltd.
He has worked in both in academia and industry and has over 50 years experience in aeronautics. In addition, he has served on a number of Government Advisory Committees. He was Chairman of the Defence Scientific Advisory Council to MoD (2011-14) and a member of the Home Office Scientific Advisory Committee and the Natural Environment Research Council (2014-18).
Venue: Brooklands Museum, (Campbell Gate Entrance), Weybridge, Surrey, KT13 0QN
See Direction section above for more information.
Date: Wednesday 29 November 2023
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
Past Events
1st November 2023 Lecture: Flight Recorders In Accident Investigation
The presentation will describe the development of modern flight data and cockpit voice recorders. Examples of accidents will be used to show how data has been instrumental in the investigations and identifying the cause. It is a popular misconception that once the recorders are found the answer will be the obvious! The limitations in recorded data, including Scratch Foil, Digital Wire and Magnetic Tape will be discussed as well as Solid State Flight Recorders and Cockpit Voice Recorders.
Speaker: Anne Evans
About The Speaker:
Anne Evans graduated from Imperial College in London with a BSc(Eng) in Aeronautical Engineering and began work at British Aerospace at Hatfield. She was a Flight Development Engineer involved in the certification flight testing of the BAe 146 and BAe 125-800. She then moved to the CAA as a Flight Recorder Data Analyst involved in the predecessor to Flight Operations Quality Assurance with UK airlines. She then joined the UK Air Accidents Investigation Branch as an Inspector of Air Accidents, specialising in the replay and analysis of Flight Data and Cockpit Voice Recorders. She worked in accident investigation for 23 years, moving to the general engineering role investigating all technical aspects of air accidents.
Venue: Brooklands Museum, (Campbell Gate Entrance), Weybridge, Surrey, KT13 0QN
See Direction section above for more information.
Date: Wednesday 1 November 2023
Times:
Gates Open at 18:00
Optional meal start at 18:00
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
October 2023 Lecture: Maintenance Error - A Personal Perspective.
An in-depth review of the events leading to the air turn back and subsequent partial gear landing at Gatwick Airport (right hand wing landing gear ‘hung up’ on the gear bay door) of Boeing 747-400 G-VROM on 29 December 2014. The presentation will cover the maintenance activity prior to the scheduled departure of G-VROM, highlight the salient points from the investigation and the internal safety recommendations.
Speaker: Andrew ‘Charlie’ Brown
About The Speaker:
Andrew’s aviation career started in 1978 when he joined the Fleet Air Arm of the Royal Navy as a Junior Electrical Mechanic (Air). Fast forward 23 years with several conflicts and operational tours under his belt, plus a multitude of adventures and experiences around the world, primarily involved with Commando Helicopter Operations Andrew left the Royal Navy as a Chief Petty Officer Air Engineering Mechanic in 2001.
In September 2002 Andrew joined Virgin Atlantic Airways where he has successfully fulfilled roles as a technical instructor, engineering safety manager and investigator, and most recently as operational safety and compliance manager for the maintenance operation covering LHR, Regional and Overseas.
Venue: Brooklands Museum, (Campbell Gate Entrance), Weybridge, Surrey, KT13 0QN
See Direction section above for more information.
Date: Wednesday 4 October 2023
Times:
Gates Open at 18:00
Optional meal start at 18:00
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
September 2023 Lecture: The Avro Vulcan
Flying higher than airliners at nearly the speed of sound, manoeuvring at five times the force of gravity, and under radar at heights lower than a church tower – Squadron Leader Joe Marsden burned 1,000 gallons of fuel per hour in iconic Vulcan bombers and flew through nuclear fall-out. He was shot at by the Army, RAF and Royal Navy and lived to tell the tale. He has a wealth of facts and anecdotes of his 29 years in the Royal Air Force during the Cold War period.
Joe’s talk this time will concentrate on the Vulcan – illustrated by photos and film clips to show its capability. He will briefly cover the history of the Vulcan but will mainly talk about the personal aspects of flying this famous aircraft. He will cover crew responsibilities, preparation and the practicalities of the various roles he was involved in without missing the more light-hearted aspects of the job in a journey which took him from Cyprus in the East to Midway Island and Alaska in the West as well as up into the Arctic Circle to test Russian response.
In all Joe has flown 34 different Vulcan aircraft including XH558 which was flying until 2016, and XL426 which is at Southend Airport being kept in ground-running condition and to taxied on occasions
Speaker: Joe Marsden
About The Speaker:
Joe Marsden trained as a Naval Architect before joining the RAF in 1971 to train as a pilot. He flew Vulcans on 27 & 617 Sqns 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 6 September 2023
Times:
Gates Open at 18:00
Optional meal start at 18:00
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
April 2023 Lecture: Model Flying - Pushing the Boundaries
The presentation will take a look at the wide range of activities which model flying represents, from peanut scale to turbine powered display models. There will be an opportunity to try your skill on a simulator. From museum quality models which are scored on their faithful appearance and realistic flying, to high-speed gliders which approach the transonic region, model flying is full of challenges and achievements. Activities in support of the STEM curriculum range from introductory models for schools to the university level BMFA Heavy Lift Challenge. Why not come and ‘break the surly bonds of earth’ (with apologies).
Speaker: Alan Simmons MSc, C.Eng, FRAeS. Branch Vice-Chairman
About The Speaker:
Alan Simmons trained as a Technician Apprentice with BAC Weybridge from 1965 to 1970, working in the industry until 1987 when he joined the Air Accidents Investigation Branch as an Engineering Inspector. He retired from that post in 2008. Throughout his career working on large transport aircraft and light aviation, he has followed the development of model flying with enthusiasm. Nowadays he spends his spare time designing, building and flying radio controlled scale models. He is a Fellow of the RaeS, a PPL holder and holds a BMFA ‘B’ Certificate accepted by the CAA for the public display of model aeroplanes.
Venue: Brooklands Museum, (Campbell Gate Entrance), Weybridge, Surrey, KT13 0QN
See Direction section above for more information.
Date: Wednesday 19 April 2023
Times:
Gates Open at 18:00
Optional meal start at 18:00
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
March 2023 Lecture: Preserving Weybridge’s Aviation Heritage
Former Director & CEO of Brooklands Museum, Allan Winn, looks at the challenges involved in bringing some of the Museum’s most iconic aviation exhibits such as Concorde, the Vanguard and the Vimy home to Brooklands, and then bringing them up to exhibition standard or bringing them back to life, so that they can properly bring Weybridge’s astonishing history of aircraft design, development and production to today’s visitors.
Speaker: Mr Allan Winn BE(Mech), FRAeS
About The Speaker:
New-Zealand-born mechanical engineer Allan Winn spent 30 years in technical journalism, culminating in 14 years as Editor and then Publisher of Flight International magazine. From 2003-18 as Director and CEO of Brooklands Museum, where he is still a Vice-President, he oversaw developments from acquiring Concorde G-BBDG to the ground-breaking Brooklands Aircraft Factory. A Fellow of the RAeS and President of the Weybridge Branch, he is a Liveryman of the Honourable Company of Air Pilots and Editor of its magazine Air Pilot. He is Chairman of Aviation Heritage UK and of the Heritage Working Group of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Aviation.
Venue: Brooklands Museum, (Campbell Gate Entrance), Weybridge, Surrey, KT13 0QN
See Direction section above for more information.
Date: Wednesday 15 March 2023
Times:
Gates Open at 18:00
Optional meal start at 18:00
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
February 2023 Lecture: The Aerospace Supply Chain Challenges and Solutions
This presentation will highlight some of the key challenges in keeping aircraft flying, and the complicated interplay needed between maintenance and engineering organisations and the role of logistics organisations in facilitating the diverse needs reacting to AOG( Aircraft On Ground), Time Critical and Routine product delivery in to the supply chain .
Specific topics within the presentation
- Historic examples of early supply chain requirements
- Current Needs
- BREXIT and the effects on supply chain
- Geo Political issues Ukraine and the impact of Russia on supply chain & China
- Fuel prices and the impact they have on shipping and air cargo pricing.
- The future what can we expect to see over the next decade
Speaker: Ralf Perkins, Co-Founder of Aviation Logistics Network
About The Speaker:
Managing Director – Aviation Logistics Network (2008-present)
Director – Davies Turner Air Cargo Ltd (1991-present)
Extensive service & knowledge in the logistics industry spanning 45 years, Ralph started his career as an apprentice in the Air Cargo industry after leaving school at the tender age of 16.
Managing Director and Founder of the Aviation Logistics Network, one of the world’s largest independent networks, specialising in the transportation and logistics requirements of the Aerospace Industry, which he founded in 2006. The network is dedicated to providing 24/7 supply chain and AOG solutions for aerospace companies globally with partners in 395 locations worldwide providing bespoke solutions to the aerospace supply chain.
As a main board director of Davies Turner Air Cargo, he started their Aviation Division focusing on aircraft on ground (AOG) emergency logistics. Previous experience with organising the logistical movements of all types of commodities needed for the aerospace industry, including aircraft engines, flight surfaces and avionic components. Thirty years of his career have been with Davies Turner Air Cargo, part of the Davies Turner Group, the UK’s largest independent logistics group privately owned since 1870.
Venue: Brooklands Museum, (Campbell Gate Entrance), Weybridge, Surrey, KT13 0QN
See Direction section above for more information.
Date: Wednesday 15 February 2023
Times:
Gates Open at 18:00
Optional meal start at 18:00
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
January 2023 Lecture: Concorde, The Creation
A description of the processes, the committees, the research, both air and ground, & finally the flight testing and service entry.
Speaker: Tony Buttler – Aviation Historian & Author
About The Speaker: Tony Buttler was born in England. He joined High Duty Alloys in 1974 as a metallurgist and for nearly 20 years was involved in the testing of aluminum and titanium airframe and engine components for all of the world’s major aircraft. It was during this period that his great interest in aviation began to blossom. After leaving HDA, he earned his master’s degree in Archives and Library Studies at Loughborough University, and became a freelance aviation historian specializing in the design and development of military aircraft.
Venue: Brooklands Museum, (Campbell Gate Entrance), Weybridge, Surrey, KT13 0QN
See Direction section above for more information.
Date: Wednesday18 January 2023
Times:
Gates Open at 18:00
Optional meal start at 18:00
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.
Contact: Mr Alan Simmons
Email: wraesmemsec@outlook.com
Tel: 01249 321785
Concorde photo above: Thanks to Brooklands Museum
March 2019 Lecture: Modern Aircrew Escape Systems
Speakers: Philip Rowles CEng FRAeS, VP Engineering, Martin Baker
About The Speakers: Philip Rowles is Vice President of Engineering at Martin-Baker, a Chartered Engineer and Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society. Philip joined Martin-Baker as Chief Engineer with a wealth of knowledge gained in civil and military aerospace engineering. His experience spans systems including; flight control and utility actuation, weapons carriage and release, hydraulic power, ground handling and spacecraft structures. Philip has contributed to major programmes including; Boeing 787, Airbus A380 and H175 helicopter, Typhoon and Brimstone.
Venue: Brooklands Museum, (Campbell Gate Entrance), Weybridge, Surrey, KT13 0QN
Date: Wednesday 20th March 2019
Time: 18:00 – Gates Open, 18:45 – Lecture start, 20:30 – Lecture end
Registration: No registration required but you are asked to sign
in on arrival. £2.50 donation kindly requested from all except students.
Contact: Mr Alan Simmons
Email: weybridge@aerosociety.com
Tel: 01249 321785
April 2019 Meeting: Annual General Meeting and Branch Social
Venue: TBA
Contact: Mr Alan Simmons
Email: weybridge@aerosociety.com
Tel: 01249 321785
May 2019 Lecture: BAe Harrier Ski-jump take-off
Speakers: Dick Poole – former Chief Flight Test Engineer, Dunsfold
Venue: Brooklands Museum, (Campbell Gate Entrance), Weybridge, Surrey, KT13 0QN
Date: Wednesday 15th May 2019
Time: 18:00 – Gates Open, 18:45 – Lecture start, 20:30 – Lecture end
Registration: No registration required but you are asked to sign
in on arrival. £2.50 donation kindly requested from all except students.
Contact: Mr Alan Simmons
Email: weybridge@aerosociety.com
Tel: 01249 321785
June 2019 Lecture: VC10 to Voyager
Venue: Brooklands Museum, (Campbell Gate Entrance), Weybridge, Surrey, KT13 0QN
Date: Wednesday 19th June 2019
Time: 18:00 – Gates Open, 18:45 – Lecture start, 20:30 – Lecture end
Registration: No registration required but you are asked to sign
in on arrival. £2.50 donation kindly requested from all except students.
Contact: Mr Alan Simmons
Email: weybridge@aerosociety.com
Tel: 01249 321785
Feb 2019 Lecture: Surrey’s Small Satellite Revolution
Venue: Brooklands Museum, (Campbell Gate Entrance), Weybridge, Surrey, KT13 0QN
Date: 27th February 2019
Time: 18:00 – Gates Open, 18:45 – Lecture start, 20:30 – Lecture end
About The Speaker
Andrew studied Mechanical Engineering at University of Hertfordshire after which he worked at Astrium, Stevenage, in the mechanisms team. Here he worked on the Mars lander, Beagle 2, on everything from design calculations to building and testing the solar array and robotic arm mechanisms. He then moved to SSTL, structures team, working on multiple solar arrays and 6m long deployable booms. During his time with SSTL he’s broadened his capabilities to now include propulsion and electronics and electrical engineering. As Head of Payloads he is currently responsible for supporting the development of future payloads with new technology.
Registration: No registration required but you are asked to sign
in on arrival. £2.50 donation kindly requested from all except students.
Contact: Mr Alan Simmons
Email: weybridge@aerosociety.com
Tel: 01249 321785
Jan 2019 Lecture: Innovation vs Regulation: What should unmanned aviation learn from manned?
Venue: Brooklands Museum, (Campbell Gate Entrance), Weybridge, Surrey, KT13 0QN
Date: 16th January 2019
Time: 18:00 – Gates Open, 18:45 – Lecture start, 20:30 – Lecture end
Registration: No registration required but you are asked to sign
in on arrival. £2.50 donation kindly requested from all except students.
Contact: Mr Alan Simmons
Email: weybridge@aerosociety.com
Tel: 01249 321785
