The aeroDAC Team

 

Terry Gibson - Managing Director

Terry is a well-known figure in the aerospace industry. He worked for Bristow Helicopters, British Caledonian and British Airways before joining the UK Civil Aviation Authority in 1988 as a Maintenance Standards Surveyor. Promotion within the CAA followed rapidly with his appointment as the Approvals Manager in the Approvals and Quality Assurance Section (AQAS).

Within his AQAS remit, Terry was involved in the transition from British Civil Airworthiness Requirements (BCARs) to Joint Airworthiness Requirements (JAR 21) and subsequently EASA Part 21 – for both Production Organisation Approval (POA) and Design Organisation Approval (DOA). He was one of the first team leaders for JAR 21 DOA, working with Rolls-Royce and British Aerospace and was the team leader for many DOA/POA investigations – mainly the large aerospace companies. He has also dealt with investigations into alleged non-compliance.

Terry spent a year as DOA Co-ordinator at the Joint Aviation Authority (JAA) in Hoofddorp, ensuring standardisation and giving guidance to other national authorities. His expertise in DOA/POA was acknowledged when he was invited to join the Deloitte team to write the new procedures for EASA.

Terry continues to provide support to the UK CAA and other National Authorities. He has merged his training & consultancy company, “Terry Gibson Associates”, with aeroDAC and continues to manage the training and consultancy arm of the business.

Carl Thomas - Certification Director

Carl began his aerospace career at Westland Helicopters where he spent ten years in the Stress Office. He went on to spend 16 years at the UK CAA, initially as a Design Liaison Surveyor (DLS) in the Helicopter Section and was the first JAA Project Certification Manager for helicopters, specifically the MD900.

He then moved to the Transport Aeroplane Section, where he was the Project Certification Manager for the Lear 45. Carl was seconded for a period to the JAA as the Large Aeroplane Certification Co-ordinator for the A380, A400 (M), Boeing 787, Embraer 170/190 and Tu205 certification teams. He returned to his final role at the CAA as the Manager of the General Aviation and Rotorcraft Section.

Carl is well-versed in aeroplane and rotorcraft certification requirements and has extensive knowledge of the procedural requirements for aircraft certification and DOA approval.

Justin Goatcher  - Director of Business Development and Marketing

Justin has over 25 years industry experience including a number of years with the UK CAA working in both the Maintenance, Continued Airworthiness and Design sections. 

He has in-depth knowledge of current EASA, ASSI, GCAA, Cayman and Bermudan CAA regulations and how they should be implemented together with excellent awareness of current industry issues and the challenges we all face.

Justin’s specific area of specialisation is Continued Airworthiness and EASA part M with experience gained in Commercial and VVIP operations together with regulatory and policy development.

Elizabeth Gibson – Director of Finance and Administration

Elizabeth (Liz) started her career in finances with the Inland Revenue (now HMRC) where she spent eight years as an Inspector of Taxes, investigating and approving company accounts.

In the following twelve years Liz built her own business as a tax consultant, preparing trading accounts and tax returns for small to medium companies.

Liz is now responsible for all aeroDAC’s financial matters including the accounting system and contracts and for the General Administration of the company including HR.

Dale Williams – Head of Design

Dale’s career in aviation started as an aircraft technician in HM Forces and British Airways. Later, as an aircraft engineer with General Electric Aircraft Engine Services, Dale was responsible for the major overhaul, refurbishment and maintenance of gas turbine engines including diagnosing problems, system trouble shooting and prescribing solutions.

As Airworthiness Engineer Product Integrity (DOA) with Airbus, Dale liaised with National Authorities and Design Assurance teams in UK and Europe on matters associated with Design Organisation Approval. He was responsible for compiling and updating company procedures.

During his time with Airbus, Dale was also the Product Airworthiness Leader for the Wide Body Programme and then the Certification Co-ordinator on the A350 Programme. His role included providing advice on airworthiness and certification matters to the Chief Engineers and designers, maintaining awareness of the requirements, providing innovative solutions to Airworthiness issues and identifying where new regulations are required for novel designs or for new design methods.

Prior to joining aeroDAC, Dale was Compliance Verification Engineer and Deputy Chief of the Office of Airworthiness with Jet Aviation in Basel.

Dale’s extensive experience in industry in airworthiness matters makes Dale a highly valued member of the aeroDAC team.

Derek Wakeford – Head of the Office of Airworthiness

Derek brings a wealth of experience to the aeroDAC team having worked in the aviation sector for over 35 years.  Derek started his career with an engineering apprenticeship at Hawker Siddeley.  This was followed by 21 years in design and project management, working on a range of military, civil, domestic and international helicopter projects.  Since 2001, prior to this appointment, Derek  has worked on GA and corporate fixed wing projects, primarily covering avionic upgrades.   Throughout his career, Derek has held the posts of EASA Part 21 DOA Head of Design and CVE for Mechanical Systems and Avionics within a number of companies.

Leon Winnert

Leon has over 40 years experience in the aviation industry gained in a variety of roles. He began his aeronautical career with a 14-year stint with the Royal Air Force where he dealt with aircraft maintenance both in the UK and abroad.

Prior to joining the UK Civil Aviation Authority in 1985, he worked for British Airways Helicopters Ltd as the Principal Projects Engineer. Combining his skills as a stress engineer and draughtsman, his role encompassed repairs and modifications to company aircraft, airworthiness investigations, and product evaluations.

As a Design Liaison Surveyor with the CAA, he managed the certification of a large number of UK and foreign helicopters. He was also the JAA/EASA Product Certification Manager for the MD900, Sikorsky S92 and PZL SW4 helicopters.

Other responsibilities included managing the CAA and EASA’s day-to-day design and continued airworthiness for a large proportion of the UK and European helicopter fleet, as well as the Airbus A319, A320 and A321 passenger jets. In addition, he managed Design Organisation Approvals and BCAR A8 and EASA Part 21 audits for companies, such as Westland Helicopters Ltd and the Popular Flying Association.

Leon was instrumental in the development and implementation of the original helicopter health monitoring policy, as well as the investigation into helicopter post-accident human survival measures. He is also the author of several aviation books, including CAP 659 Issue Two: The Guide to Amateur Construction of Aircraft.

Steve James

A Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society (FRAeS) and Chartered Engineer (CEng), Steve is an associate providing advice and training on EASA Part 21 design and production approvals and certifications, as well as acting as a Compliance Verification Engineer for the mechanical systems disciplines.

He began his engineering career at Rolls-Royce Ltd as a technology engineer working on the development of combustors, such as the Olympus 593 fitted to the Concorde. Promoted to Senior Service Engineer, he was responsible for engineering support to clients and for liaising with partner organisations, including Fiat Aviazione.

Steve joined the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) in 1983 as a powerplant design surveyor dealing primarily with certification compliance, test schedules, and the audit of UK and overseas engine overhaul facilities, test houses, and suppliers and manufacturers holding CAA approvals.

Lesley Speet - Office Manager

Lesley has spent many years in the aviation industry including lengthy periods with Caledonian Airways and American Airlines. Her specialities include office management, recruitment, contracts and travel. Lesley is the first point of contact in all matters relating to sales invoicing and suppliers.

Stephanie (Stef) – Accounts Assistant & Training Coordinator

Stef is embarking on a career in accounting. She has completed her book-keeping training and will progress to AAT (Association of Accounting Technicians). In addition to her reception duties and accounts assistance, Stef carries out much of the preparation work for the aerodac training courses.