Simon Heyes
Simon Heyes has been a BMAA member since June 2019 and flies a flexwing from East Fortune near to Edinburgh. He took up microlight training in 2017. Simon holds a degree in Aeronautical Engineering and has worked in the aviation industry at Rolls-Royce as a performance engineer and as an Engineer Officer in the RAF on a short-service commission. Since the mid-1990s, Simon has worked in the electricity industry becoming involved in the development of renewables in Britain from 2000. He became General Manager for development and construction at one of the major energy utilities and subsequently at a private equity-owned company. Simon is currently the CEO of a company enabling the greater use of renewable energy and battery storage in the British electricity grid, as a part of the UK’s drive to achieve a zero-carbon electricity system. Simon has been a director and board member of several energy companies and is currently undertaking training to become a non-executive director through the Edinburgh University Business School. Simon is a Fellow of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers. “As a candidate for this role, I want to combine my experience as a director with my passion for microlight flying. I have been involved in the Wings scheme development and will always endorse continual improvement in skills and education for all pilots, to promote safer flying without impinging on the enjoyment which low-regulation microlighting allows. I have attended the last two AGMs through Zoom. I am keen to be involved in the inevitable transition away from hydrocarbons to sustainable alternative fuels and electric propulsion for flight. By engaging positively with the relevant stakeholders, the BMAA can set a direction of travel which minimises impact on current aircraft types whilst enabling the many potential benefits to be achieved at least cost to the membership.”
Proposed by Ross Mitchell, 11958
Seconded by Charles Westerling, 20609