Recently in Working Week Q&A Category

Randeep Singh is in his second year of Doncasters Group's graduate development programme. Originally from India, he is the first graduate to spend a placement working at one of the company's US sites.

What first attracted you to aerospace and engineering?

After completing my BSc (Hons) in business administration and spending a year working in the construction industry, I decided to pursue my passion for supply chain engineering and logistics by taking an MSc in supply engineering and logistics at Warwick University.

The size and challenging nature of the aerospace sector provided a real opportunity to make an impact. The Airbus A380 and Boeing Dreamliner projects have seen a revolution in terms of supply chain management and I wanted to be part of it. Continue reading...

(Photo: Doncaster Group)

Michael Helling, general manager of the Aviator Hotel in Farnborough since 2008, is gearing up for his busiest time of the year and ensuring that standards do not slip as preparations for July's air show gather pace. We'll be covering the Farnborough airshow in full force so check back soon to see our dedicated page to Farnborough news, interactive daily magazine, videos, photos, Tweets, and more. If you're attending, let us know on our Facebook page.

How long have you been at Aviator and what were you doing before?

I came to the Aviator having worked at the Hong Kong Club for three years. I've been here since the hotel opened just before the 2008 Farnborough air show.

What attracted you to Aviator?

The idea of working at a hotel that had a different driving force behind it was really attractive. With the proximity to Farnborough airport we have an almost "built-in" clientele who need a convenient location close to the airport. We're noticing passengers choosing to save travelling time by using the hotel as a base for meetings or even as their UK office. Read more of the Q&A...

I set up the Aerotoxic Association several years ago after suffering the neurological damage that ended my flying career. The reason for the delay is that it took me so long to find out what had caused the symptoms I suffered. When I did find out, and had recovered sufficiently to be able to organise myself again, I wanted to ensure my pilot and cabin crew colleagues in the industry have the opportunity to learn about the risks they face, the symptoms of Aerotoxic Syndrome, and how to recognise onboard fume events that might have exposed them to the cockpit and cabin fumes that cause the problem.

The AA is not alone. Last week I attended the three-day annual general meeting in London of the Global Cabin Air Quality Executive, another voluntary association, but specifically dedicated to researching the technical origins of the problem, the thousands of occurrences and studies on record in various countries, and potential solutions like bleed air filtration or the use of engine oil which does not contain the synthetic anti-wear additives that contain toxic organophosphates. Continue reading...

(Photo: John Hoyte)

Frederick Apeloos initially took to the skies in the Belgian air force but now combines two roles at Capital Aircraft Group as first officer flying Citation Jets while working as deputy flight operations and training manage.

How did you get into aviation?

Ever since I was a little boy, I have been intrigued by everything that could fly. I started flying gliders at the age of 15, initially in a civilian club, but one year later I joined the Royal Belgian Air Cadets, an organisation offering glider training, during weekends and school holidays, to youngsters aiming to become a pilot in the Belgian air force.

I joined the Royal Military Academy, where I graduated as an officer in November 2005. Unfortunately, due to setbacks I had to stop my military flight training and take command of an IT section. As IT was my second area of interest, I initially accepted my new role, but I couldn't get rid of the dream of getting into a professional cockpit. So I decided to leave the Belgian air force and start again in civilian aviation.

What were some of the challenges you faced?

When I decided to start my training for the civilian aviation, I had to redo all the training I did in the air force. I gave up my career as an officer and found a job as a flight dispatcher with a major Belgian airline. Sometimes I had to work all night, and go flying in the afternoon. No road is too tough when you want to achieve your goal. There was a possibility to get a Boeing Next Generation 737 type rating, but this was delayed twice. As I was 27 already, and couldn't wait any longer to start flying, I took the opportunity to go flying for CAG, leaving a renowned Belgian airline for a small corporate company. It was all about trust and an "I need to do this" feeling. I am very grateful for the opportunities CAG has given me. Read more...

(Photo: Capital Aircraft Group)

What career path led you to today?

Before aviation I worked in a sales office for an aluminium distributor. Livermore, California-based service company LJ Walch was my first job in the aviation industry. I started pulling parts, assembling hardware kits, worked in the purchasing and customer service departments until I took my current position. Somehow the aviation industry has been in my life for many years.

Can you ever predict what will soon be in demand?

Predicting demand is difficult in aviation since all airlines have different maintenance policies on removal intervals.

We do, however, try to offer our customers the option of using new PMA parts that we have developed to save them money on their repair costs and increased reliability with our engineering orders. Read more...

Zimbabwean Vukile Dumani has been named Airbus UK's Filton apprentice of the year. He completed his higher engineering studies in September and is now a specialist engineer in non-destructive testing.

What does your job in non-destructive testing involve?

I use NDT techniques to look for defects in aluminium, carbonfibre and other materials like steel. We apply ultrasonics and eddy currents into materials, as these are reflected by defects. Another technique is to look for changes in a magnetic field caused by cracks or delamination in carbonfibre. The layers of carbonfibre are more complex than aluminium, so we are developing new techniques that could be used on Airbus aircraft.

Can you describe a typical working day?

There is no such thing as a typical day. One day I could be working upside down inspecting an A400M wing in Seville, and the next I could be writing a procedure for inspecting the landing gear attachments on an A320. Each task presents a new challenge. Sometimes we have to conduct inspections for airlines - for example if an aircraft has had a hard landing - and this could be anywhere in the world. Continue reading...

(Photo: Airbus)

Maria Angeles Marti Martinez is head of lean, as in 'lean manufacturing' at Airbus's Illescas composites plant outside Madrid, which designs and builds stabilisers, fuselage sections and skins.

Tell us briefly about your job and the significance of the Ilescas plant.

I am in charge of implementing lean manufacturing at the plant. Lean is a production philosophy that started at the Toyota plant in Japan in the 1950s. It is a new way of working and a new culture of production processes is growing here in Illescas. Aeronautical companies need to be more competitive in existing markets, ensuring the highest quality of their products, delivering them on time, and at minimum cost. Lean is a very effective way to achieve this. Continue reading...

(Photo: Airbus)

Andrew Brookes's Royal Air Force career included command of Greenham Common cruise missile base. Since leaving the service he has been an aerospace analyst and writer and in 2009 he took charge of the Air League.

What turned you on to flying?

I learned to fly with Leeds University Air Squadron back when sex was safe and flying was dangerous. We flew from Dishforth alongside the A1 and I spent many lovely hours doing practice forced landings and aeros over the Vale of York. We did lots of stalling and spinning back then but young people don't seem to do that any more. I think it is a shame that you can't experience the thrill and sense of danger associated with getting to know your limits based on first-rate flying training. I am still in touch with my old ex-Javelin instructor and we now reminisce together as the old and bold always do.

How do you influence government and industry thinking about aviation?

My role is to speak out about the importance of aviation to British wealth, science and technology, jobs and influence. We bring parliamentarians and industry together and with the projected high turnover in MPs after the forthcoming election, we will need to get the aerospace message across to them early.

RAF thanks Brookes (right), pictured with Air Marshal Simon Bryant

How did you begin your career at Northrop Grumman?

I joined the company right after earning a bachelor's degree from California State University, Fullerton. I started work on the B-2 programme as a quality engineer.

I didn't really have a specific career plan when I started; in fact, I was 15 years into my career here when I started to tell people what I was seeking and where I wanted to go. I learned from that, and now I mentor four people, all young and fresh out of college. I'm helping them control their own destiny. Continue reading the interview...

(Photo: Northrop Grumman)