Richard began his career as a chemical engineer with the UK Minstry of Defence before joining the Royal Air Force (RAF). After officer training, Richard flew Jet Provost and Hawk single engine jet trainers before commencing helicopter training. His operational flying was in the Support Helicopter (SH) role flying the Puma HCMk1. Richard gained extensive experience in low level operations including Night Vision flying.
Richard trained for 1 year at the Empire Test Pilot School (ETPS) and following graduation spent 3 years conducting test and evaluation of all current UK rotorcraft on behalf of the MoD. Following a tour back at ETPS as senior rotary wing tutor, Richard left the RAF and joined McAlpine Helicopters (now Eurocopter UK) as the deputy Chief Test Pilot where he was responsible for production and modification flight testing of Eurocopter aircraft including Police and air ambulance helicopters.
Richard’s next role was as a senior consultant for a Corporate Risk Assessor where he was an aerospace advisor in the organisation’s battlespace department and was involved in corporate flight safety due dilligence and the preparation of Invitations to Tender for MoD projects. Richard joined AgustaWestland (AW) as a senior test pilot and was involved in the operation and management of an 18 month multi-site overseas trial tasked to develop the engines and cockpit of the AW101 helicopter. Richard was actively involved in the flight testing of the Puma, Lynx and Wildcat helicopters and acted as pilot adviser to the autopilot development engineers.
