7th Annual Electric Vehicle Event Speakers – Air transport

Jeff Engler is cofounder of Wright Electric, an aviation company developing electric airplanes for short regional flights. Engler is a cofounder of Podimetrics, a medical device startup that aims to keep diabetic feet healthy. Previously, Engler co-founded MatchLend, a financial services startup. Engler worked for Unitus, a microfinance nonprofit, and Lehman Brothers. He has a BA in history from Columbia College and an MBA from Harvard Business School.

Simon Webb is Chief Engineer ‑ Propulsion at Fly Zero, Aerospace Technology Institute (UK). His background started at Rolls-Royce on a graduate scheme in 2001 followed by 6 x 3 month placements including in Montreal. In 2003 he started his first “proper” job in Combustion Engineering then moved to Fans Engineering in 2008. Fan lead on BR725 for Gulfstream G650 (USA+Germany). Fan lead on TrentXWB for Airbus A350. He took a secondment to Germany (RRD) in 2013 where he was Head of Fans and Compressors for small engines. In 2016 he was Chief of Technology for Fans and Compressors and responsible for developing new tech – like composite fan. He was appointed in 2021 as Fly Zero Chief Engineer – Propulsion which is a Government funded programme to explore green aviation options – such as battery or hydrogen powered flight.

Andreas Strohmayer Professor for Aircraft Design, University of Stuttgart; Chairman of the European Aeronautical Sciences Network Andreas has studied Aeronautical Engineering at TU Munich and graduated in 2001 to Dr.-Ing. in the field of conceptual aircraft design. He has over 13 years’ experience in industry, starting with 7 years as COO/managing director of Grob Aerospace in Mindelheim, Germany, where he was responsible for design, production and support of the Grob fleet of all-composite trainer aircraft and lead the development of a 4-seat aerobatic turboprop, a 7-seat turboprop and the SPn business jet. He then was Program Director for a 19-seater commuter aircraft project at Sky Aircraft in Metz, France, and VP Programs at SST Flugtechnik in Memmingen, Germany, setting up an EASA approved design organization that holds the TC for a 6-seat all-composite turboprop aircraft and performs aircraft conversions. Since 2015 Andreas is professor for aircraft design at the Institute of Aircraft Design at University of Stuttgart. His research focus is on electric and hybrid-electric flight, with the manned research platforms icaré 2 and e-Genius, and scaled UAS flight testing. In 2016 he joined the Board of Directors of the European Aeronautics Science Network (EASN), initially taking the role of Industrial Advisory Officer, and since 2019 as Chairman of the Board.

David Shaw is Non Executive Director of the B-N Group  

David, since 2007 has been the Technical Director of Britten-Norman Aircraft Limited, responsible for the technical aspects of aircraft manufacture, modification, test, and support of the Islander aircraft family. Recently moved to a Non Executive Director role within the Britten-Norman Group, advising the Main Board as the company expands its civil offering and to craft a new role as a Brand Ambassador within the engineering community.

Degree in Electrical and Electronic Engineering, David is a Chartered Engineer and Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society, a member of the Institute of Engineering and Technology and member of the Institute of Directors. David also holds an MBA.

David has been in the aerospace industry for over forty years which included time working for Aircraft OEMs, Avionics and Interiors Equipment Manufacturers, Civilian Airlines, Special Mission Flight and Aircraft Engineering companies and Aircraft Simulators companies. In his spare time plays golf and tennis and is a keen rugby and cricket supporter.

Britten-Norman (BN) is a privately owned British aircraft manufacturer and aviation services provider. The company is the sole independent commercial aircraft producer in the UK. Britten-Norman is based in the UK with aircraft hangars at the on Solent Airport (Daedalus), home of the company’s aircraft manufacturing, military and civil aircraft maintenance overhaul facility. The site is complemented by UK facilities in London, Southampton and on the Isle of Wight and by overseas facilities in the USA and Hong Kong.

Britten-Norman has so far sold almost 1,300 Islander aircraft to customers in more than 120 countries and has over 60 years of designing and manufacturing experience. In addition to aircraft manufacturing, the company also performs maintenance, overhaul and repair work as well as performing sub-contract engineering and design work.

The Islander is one of the world’s most successful and enduring twin engine aircraft designs. The aircraft’s international acclaim is attributed to its exemplary proven performance as a high capacity, multi-role, high frequency, rough terrain, short take off and landing workhorse.

Professor Ian R McAndrew FRAeS is a very highly qualified academic with extensive experiences within industry and internationally recognised researcher with extensive teaching experience at all levels of education. Conference and Journal publication of 71 over 30 years, six books and numerous Keynote presentations around the world. Has supervised 123 students to their doctoral completion in USA, UK, Germany, Greece, Italy, Jordan, Singapore, Malaysia, UAE, Kenya and South Africa. Extensive consultancy experience internationally for multi-nations and organisations. Leading a global doctorate program of in excess of 330 students. As the Dean of Doctoral Programs at Capitol Technology University he is responsible for 20 different Doctoral Programs ranging from Cybersecurity, Analytics, Aviation, Aeronautical Science and Technology based.

Amy Irvine works in the programmes team at ZeroAvia and works closely with ENU as part of Project HEART, where she manages ZeroAvia’s contribution to defining a new hydrogen electric regional aviation network.  Aside from project management, Amy is a Commercial Pilot, and is currently licenced to fly single engine piston aircraft, as well as the Airbus 320. She has recently completed a 1 year postgraduate masters at Cranfield University where she studied Aerospace Dynamics. This MSc compliments her previous degrees; a BSc in Chemistry from Imperial College London and BSc in Aviation Management from Buckinghamshire New University. This breadth of experience enables her to understand, develop and support the full eco-system of ZeroAvia’s technology, which she very much looks forward to sharing with you!

Professor Patrick Langdon is a Professor of Engineering Design, Transportation, and Inclusion at Edinburgh NAPIER School of Engineering and the Built Environment (SEBE). He is the incoming head of the Edinburgh Napier University(ENU) Transport Research Institute (TRI). Pat Langdon is an Experimental Cognitive Scientist and has worked in AI, Robotics and Engineering Design for over 20 Years. Historically he has led research in Inclusive Engineering Design and contributed to its literature. Until 2019, he was a Reader (PRA) in at the University of Cambridge Engineering Department and led research there with Industry partners, into Inclusive Design, Ergonomics, and Human Factors for Automotive. He is a visiting Professor in Human Factors for Global Challenge at the University of East Anglia Computer Science Department 2019 – 2021.

Currently, Pat Leads the ENU contribution to the Innovate UK HEART Consortium.  As part of the UK Government’s Future Flight Challenge, Project HEART (Hydrogen-Electric & Automated Regional Transportation) is developing a UK wide, fully sustainable, and scalable air transport network with Industry partners, at the cutting edge of sustainable future flight.

Maria Fiskerud is an experienced communications professional, business developer and entrepreneur, with more than 20 years’ experience, with a strong urge to develop and transform processes and businesses towards a more sustainable future. Pioneer in the field of fossil free aviation. Expert advisor to several Government’s investigation concerning fossil free aviation and recognized as a change maker in climate and sustainability in the Nordics.

Award winning with a proven track record. Multidiscipline skills in information design, change management, crisis communication, reputation management, project management, marketing and business development. A personal drive for innovation, sustainability and a passionate futurist. Demonstrated know-how in multicultural environments and geographically spread teams; building partnerships to reach results.

Gordon Woolley was a senior RAF helicopter pilot, and military and civil pilot examiner. After leaving the RAF, he was the project pilot for a multi-helicopter simulator project, with particular responsibility for networked operational training, scenario design, and training delivery, managing the hub of the simulator facility, the Tactical Control Centre. He is a Fellow of the RAeS, and member and former chairman of the Society’s Flight Simulation Specialist Group. His current focus is on novel air platforms. He contributes to international conferences, to training and safety working groups, and to STEM projects for young people.

Dr Pascual Marqués is a Member of the Board of Directors at Oxford Aerospace Ltd., President of Marques Aviation Ltd. – UK and former International Director (UK) of Unmanned Vehicle University – USA. Dr. Marqués holds MPhil and PhD degrees in Engineering Mechanics. At Marques Aviation Ltd., Dr. Marqués oversees the design, R&D, and manufacturing of the MA THOR and MA AirDefence unmanned aircraft series. Dr. Marqués’ research interests are in the fields of Aerodynamics Optimization and Flight Dynamics and he has published extensively on both subject areas. He has board level experience in executive, advisory and Non-Executive Director capacities in the aviation industry and university sector. Dr. Marqués is the Editor-in-Chief of the International Journal of Unmanned Systems Engineering (IJUSEng). He is also the Chair of the World Congress on Unmanned Systems Engineering (WUEng) and the International Aerospace Engineering Conference (IAEC). Dr. Marques is a Member of the Royal Aeronautical Society (RAeS) and the Institute of Directors (IoD).

Panagiotis Laskaridis is a Professor of Aircraft Electrification and the Head of the Hybrid Electric Propulsion Group at Cranfield University. He leads the work on the integration aspects of future propulsion and systems architectures with emphasis on Distributed, Turbo-electric and Hybrid Electric Propulsion technologies. Panos is working closely with several international industrial and research partners on these topics.