The People Behind The Scenes
Meet The Team
To contact us please follow the link
Rob Hughes Chief Executive
Rob Mott Chief Inspector
Kelly Thacker Business Manager
Aaron Bliss NPPL Genius
Roger Pattrick Chief Technical Officer
Karen Judd Membership Secretary
Geoff Weighell Tech Quality Manager
Carole Shepherd Administrator
Chloe Eriksen Flight Training Liaison & Safety Officer (FTL&SO)
Lloyd Smith Design Approval Engineer
The Chief Executive is responsible for the overall management of the BMAA and its staff members. One of the CEO's main roles is liaising with outside agencies such as the CAA and Department for Transport to ensure a fair and proportionate regulatory framework for microlighting in the UK.
Rob joined the BMAA as a staff member in October 2021; he started volunteering for the BMAA back in 2003 and joined council in 2004. Rob was BMAA chairman for 7 years, stepping down to take on the CEO role.
Rob has worked in sports administration since 2007. His previous background is in events and construction. He has been actively involved in sporting aviation since 2003:
BMAA Chairman for 7 yrs (and Vice-Chairman for 2 yrs)
BMAA Council member since 2004
The Flying Show Event Director (5 times)
Event Director, 2016 FAI World Microlight & Paramotor Championships
Event Director, 2010 FAI European Microlight Championships
Assistant Event Director FAI World Microlight Championship 2005
FAI Jury President 4 times (including World Air Games 2015 and OCA Asian Beach Games 2012) and Jury member 7 times. FAI Steward 5 times
Acting FAI Secretary General and also Sports Director
International FAI Microlight Commission (CIMA) since 2003 and currently 1st Vice President
Royal Aero Club FAI Committee Chairman and FAI Vice President
Air Sports Competition Manager at IWGA The World Games 2017
Rob Mott
The CI is responsible for all matters relating to the ongoing airworthiness of the BMAA fleet of microlights. The CI appoints BMAA Inspectors to help members with airworthiness tasks such as annual inspections and modification or repair tasks.
Rob started at the BMAA in Nov 2007 after completing his studies at Manchester and a brief time learning to maintain helicopters. Prior to this he started his flying career with competitive aeromodelling. This provided his first taste for fullsize aircraft in 2002, whilst at the European Championships. Two years later he started training for his PPL. After gaining his licence he quickly found Microlights and the rest is history! Although his enthusiasm for aerobatics persisted, achieving a CAA Display Authorisation in 2012.
Kelly Thacker
The Business Manager is responsible for ensuring the smooth and safe running of all administration tasks that running the business of the BMAA entails.
In addition The Business Manager also looks after the events, promotions, social media, supplier and contractor relationships and magazine advert sales.
Hi, my name is Kelly and I am the Business Manager. I have been working for the BMAA since 1st December 2015
Since leaving college I have worked within the Leisure and Tourism Industry and before settling down and having a family I was fortunate enough to work in different overseas locations. Before joining the BMAA I was employed at a hotel as the Deputy General Manager.
Aaron Bliss
The NPPL Administrator is responsible for accepting and checking applications for the NPPL Microlight licence, then issuing the licence document when everything is complete. On the Administrator's recommendation the Civil Aviation Authority will issue an additional Microlight rating to existing licences, or remove operational limitations from an existing NPPL. The Administrator also acts as Secretary to the Microlight Panel of Examiners and provides a focal point for information regarding any aspect of microlight pilot, instructor or examiner legislation.
I see my position as facilitating smooth processing of queries and legal documents to ensure students, instructor and examiners spend the maximum time enjoying the wild blue yonder rather than correcting avoidable errors or dealing with the CAA.
My role sees me in regular contact with the CAA, the Panel of Examiners, The Training Committee and our Training Liaison & Safety Officer Chloe Eriksen, working towards the shared goal of improving safety and minimising barriers to flying for all. Since July 2019, I also have the privilege of issuing National Private Pilot's Licences with Microlight ratings, bringing waiting times for excited applicants down from up to 3 weeks to potentially a couple of days, meaning the sky is closer than ever before!
Roger Pattrick
The CTO is responsible for the running of the BMAA Technical Office to ensure that members' projects are handled accurately and speedily. The Technical Office also accepts engineering approval applications from manufacturers which the BMAA is authorised to scrutinise and approve on behalf of the Civil Aviation Authority.
"I am an aviation nut, and love all things aviation. I have been lucky enough to make a career out of microlight aviation, and have been working within the industry since 1985. First at Hornet Microlights, then in 1990 Mainair Sports and P&M Aviation before moving to the BMAA in 2015."
Karen Judd
The Membership Secretary is responsible for all matters relating to membership of the BMAA and provides a point of contact for any enquiries related to BMAA membership or membership activity.
Hello! I ‘m Karen, I am the Membership Secretary and I have been working for the BMAA since February 2016. My background is in Banking and administration, I worked for HSBC before having a family. Since then I have undertaken Nursery School administration and prior to joining the BMAA I ran the local Post Office, in Deddington.
Geoff Weighell
Quality Manager (QM). The QM is responsible for ensuring the BMAA is in compliance with and adhering to its technical procedures. This is in accordance with the airworthiness requirements of the Sporting Approval A8-26 as published by the Civil Aviation Authority.
Geoff served the BMAA as Cheif Executive for 15 years retiring in October 2021. He has also held the position of BMAA Chairman.
Carole Shepherd
Hi, my name is Carole and I am an administrator. I joined the BMAA in September 2022
I have always had an interest in aviation and I was a glider pilot and instructor for many years
Chloe Eriksen
Hi my name is Chloe and I am the Flight Training Liaison and Safety Officer. Before recently joining the BMAA, I spent 10 years as an Army Helicopter Pilot during which time I flew a number of operational tours and qualified as an Instructor. After leaving the Army I worked as an Aviation Consultant on a variety of projects which focussed on flight safety and training. I now look forward to my new role spreading the flight safety message at the BMAA.
The FTL&SO works closely with the key flight safety organisations in order to promote flight safety within the Microlight community. Accident reports and trend data are reviewed on a periodic basis and recommendations made to the BMAA relevant committees in areas where further education can improve flight safety. The FTL&SO is also responsible for maintaining the NPPL training syllabus, pilot examinations and developing guidance for Microlight Instructors and Examiners.
Lloyd Smith is an aviation enthusiast - from gaining a gliding scholarship with the Air Training Corps at RAF St. Athan to volunteering at the South Wales Aviation Museum.
Lloyd is an Aeronautical Engineering graduate from the University of South Wales. He joined the team in November 2024.
