Day in the Life of a Principal Airworthiness and Certification Engineer

The aerospace sector is advancing today more rapidly than ever. We’re on the cusp of a new era in aviation that will see new vertical lift aircraft, electric propulsion and hybrid rotary wing platforms entering service alongside new supersonic transport aircraft, air taxis operating in and around our cities, and military fleets of mixed crewed/uncrewed systems.?

It’s all very exciting, but someone has to ensure that these advances are airworthy and can be operated safely.?

Today, we hear from one of the most experienced – and revered – experts in the field, Vin Thomas, to find out a bit more about their critical role in aerospace.

What kind of work/ projects/contracts are you involved in?

My main work within SQEP Ltd is in the Certification domain working on the Chinook Sustainment Programme.? Here I have worked as a Reviewer of Type Certification, Air Vehicle Requirements and the Component Qualification Matrix.? More recently I have become involved in SQEP’s contract supporting the Hawk DT.

Tell me a bit about your previous career/education?

I enjoyed a full career as an Engineer Officer in the RAF serving from 1976 to 2013.? Then, following time as a Contractor working in the Unmanned Air Systems Delivery Team (DT) for 30 months and then 6 months in the Chinook DT, I rejoined the RAF as a Full Time Reservist.? In my second RAF career I was the Chief of Staff for UK Air Test & Evaluation (T&E) for 5 years and then the Station Commander for my last 2 years of Service.? My experience spans Operations, NATO, Fast Jets, Armaments, Training and Air T&E and about 20 years as a TACEVAL Evaluator.

Can you tell me what a typical day might look like?

My usual day would start in the Swimming Pool so there is usually a fairly relaxed start to my working day.? I would then deal with whatever might be on my Task List.? At the moment my focus is assessing whether Boeing is able to meet the requirements laid down for the new helicopter.? Other typical tasks include the review of Boeing draft documents and management of the travel administration for the Certification Team.? At the same time there is a wide variety of meetings with the various stakeholders; happily, most of these are conducted virtually.? I have Line Management responsibility for a couple of employees so there is a need to provide support and advice when required.? As SQEP grows, I find myself involved with recruitment which sometimes leads to conducting interviews.

What do you like most about your job?

Working for SQEP is a pleasure as I work with freedom of operation, flexible hours and the ability to achieve a work life balance.? SQEP is an honest, ethical employer and works to ensure that employees and associates alike are treated with consideration.? The job itself is highly fulfilling as it supports the MOD, is demanding, exercises the mind and has variety.? SQEP offers an exemplary working environment where like-minded individuals work superbly as a team and the camaraderie is outstanding.

Anything else you want to add – about SQEP/ The Defence Industry/ anything you think relevant?

SQEP is an outstanding Company that knows Defence and particularly the machinations of Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S).? It is extremely well placed to support the UK MOD and always seeks to provide the advice and support that the MOD requires.? It is clear that SQEP is willing to expand its portfolio and I am sure that it will succeed wherever the journey takes it.

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