Bygone Aviation Staff
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Director and Chief Engineer: Matt Pettit Matt became involved with practical aircraft engineering whilst studying for an aerospace systems degree at the University of Hertfordshire. After completion of his degree, Matt was employed as a full time engineering apprentice with the Old Flying Machine Company at Duxford during which he worked on various aircraft ranging from the Supermarine Spitfire to the Hawker Hunter. After a 3 year spell at Duxford, learning from some extremely talented and experienced engineers, Matt went on to achieve an ATPL. He has subsequently flown for Brymon Airways, British Airways CitiExpress and is currently employed with British Airways based at Heathrow. Throughout his flying career he has maintained a pivotal role in numerous vintage aircraft engineering projects and been heavily involved with maintenance of light aircraft. This has lead him to the acquisition of his CAA engineering licence in both airframes and engines. | |||||
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Deputy Chief Engineer: Mike Rowley Mike’s lifelong interest in aeroplanes stemmed from following his Father’s career in the Royal Air Force. Initially this saw him completing a full apprentiship with Rolls Royce, covering areas such as jet engine construction including the manufacture of items such as flame tubes. After several years within the engineering industry, Mike left to pursue a different career path as Fleet Sales Director for ERF Trucks. During his time with ERF, he indulged his passion for engineering with his own workshops and machine tools. Recently, he has come full circle and become involved with the maintenance and restoration of vintage and light aircraft in Shropshire. Mike has a CAA Engineering licence in Airframes and Engines. | |||||
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Johns career started off at an early age with the RAF. Serving tours on Vulcan’s, Buccaneers, Tornado GR.1's and Hawk T.1's. He saw active service in the Gulf War as part of the RAF's Tornado force. Whilst in the RAF he became heavily involved with training and a QFI on various aircraft including the Chipmunk and Grob. He currently works for BAE Systems based at Warton as a Hawk QFI, part of a small team of instructors that train fellow pilots in preparation for overseas deployments. In his spare time John displays a variety of vintage aircraft ranging from various types of Moth to the Hawker Hunter.John is also a PPL examiner and AOPA aerobatics instructor |
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Research and Component Location: Mike Rudkin Mike began working in ATC straight from school at the age of 18, working for the Board of Trade at Liverpool. After a short posting to Eastern Radar, RAF Watton, he left government service to go to Luton as a controller, learning to fly with Luton Flight training in 1986. He then joined NATS at Manchester in 1989 and after much hiring of aeroplanes, decided to buy one in 1991. He is the proud owner of a 1947 Luscombe 8E and hasn’t looked back! The aircraft has recently been refitted for the 21st century by fitting an 0-200, new panel and completely new electrical system. Mike is now looking forward to indulging his passion for old aeroplanes and free time for more flying. |
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Amy has a lifelong interest in aircraft and some six years part time experience as an apprentice fitter and sub assembler for Airframe Assemblies. This has seen her working on various structural components for a wide variety of aircraft including of course the Supermarine Spitfire. She has recently graduated from Loughborough University with a Masters degree in Aeronautical Engineering and her day job will now see her working as a structural design engineer for Marshall Aerospace. Even though she has a particular ability with computers her role as web manager is not exclusive and she can also be found in the hanger working on the aeroplanes. |
