Please note that this lecture is not being held at MOD Boscombe Down.
On 15 June, Mark Burnand, Deputy Chief Test Pilot, Leonardo Helicopters, will present a lecture to the RAeS Yeovil Branch entitled “Flight Testing the AW159 Wildcat Helicopter at Sea”.
The lecture will discuss the rigorous flight testing process that has been conducted to ensure that the Wildcat is fit for purpose in the uncompromising maritime role, and safe to operate in this the most unforgiving environment, in all weathers by day and night (conventional and using night vision goggles) around the globe.
Mark Burnand served for 18 years in the British Army flying Gazelle, Lynx and Apache helicopters, and also Sea Kings with the Royal Navy’s Commando Helicopter Force. An Empire Test Pilots’ School (ETPS) Graduate, Mark worked at MOD Boscombe Down for many years on a wide variety of helicopters and programmes, including high altitude testing, ship trials, environmental trials, helmet mounted systems and weapon testing. He then commanded 667 (Development and Trials) Squadron of the Army Air Corps before returning to ETPS as a test pilot tutor.
On leaving the military he joined Leonardo Helicopters (then Agusta Westland) where he is now the Deputy Chief Test Pilot.
The lecture will be held on Thursday 15th June at Leonardo Helicopters, Yeovil, in the Dallas Conference Room 1a/b. Refreshments will be served at 18:00 with the lecture at 18:30.
