Pilot. Truck driver. Engineer. Musician. Amateur photographer.
Andy – a Principal Systems Engineer for our Mission Systems division – has worn many hats in his lifetime, but across all of those things, one thing rings true: his passion for what he is doing.
Andy has always had a strong interest in the engineering of airplanes. “In school, I focused mostly on science subjects,” he says, “I was good at that.” In his final year of secondary school, his A Level engineering class took a tour of an avionics company in Rochester. He learned about the BSC/MEng degree course they sponsored at the University of Bath, and the rest, is history.
Throughout his studies, he had the opportunity to work for that company over the summer months. “It not only counted towards my degree,” he says, “but it set me up brilliantly for my career. I really couldn’t have asked for a better start.”
With placements in production, commercial, and engineering, Andy was exposed to the full spectrum of an engineering firm and the world of work. Most importantly, though, he formed relationships with the people he would eventually work with full-time, which was hugely important to him as a young engineer.
After graduating with first class honours for his BSc, Andy spent six months completing his thesis for his Master of Engineering, which involved developing a piece of test equipment for a live programme. The course work and practical experience he gained through his work also satisfied the requirements for membership of the Institute of Engineering and Technology, Chartered Engineer status, and membership with FEANI, a European engineering body.
His love of airplanes extends beyond working on their systems. He was introduced to the idea of getting his pilot’s license after the director of a vintage aircraft restoration business visited his school to offer work experience. He was waiting for a lift home when it started raining, so he decided to stick around and attend the meeting to learn more.
“I am so glad it was raining that day,” he says, “along with a group of my friends, I started working for them at the weekend, and went from there.” His reward for the internship was flight experience in one of their vintage aircraft. “I was hooked!” he says. He went on to gain his private pilot’s licence and has amassed more than 200 flying hours.
The company that introduced him to the world of flying also introduced him to the joys of truck driving. Never one to pass down an opportunity, Andy took an intensive course over a summer holiday and passed the test for his heavy goods licence. He landed a part-time job driving a 38-tonne truck delivering fruit and vegetables across the South of England on weekends. “It was huge fun,” he says, “but very hard work.” He eventually gave up to focus on his engineering career. “I’ve still got my licence though,” he says, “so who knows?”
In 1997, Andy joined General Dynamics Mission Systems UK, initially as a systems engineer. Since then, he’s had the opportunity to move throughout the business within the air and naval domain, holding roles as a technologist, head of simulation and modelling, and as lead engineer on an integration project for a fighter aircraft. Andy is now in charge of technological advancements in the field of stores management integration and serves as a mentor to young engineers. “I find great fulfilment in helping those who follow in my footsteps,” he says.
When asked about his biggest accomplishment, Andy says that “besides flying and truck driving, I think it is my music.” He started playing the flute at school, gained his grade 8, and now plays flute and piccolo in a local orchestra and concert band.
Aside from music, Andy also enjoys using his free time to pursue photography – a passion that started when he took a trip to Sweden. “My wife wanted some good pictures of the northern lights, and I just got hooked.”