BMAA Council
Meet the council
Tim Burrow
Cath Spence
Rob Grimwood
Simon Heyes
Brendan Digney
Giles Fowler
John Waite
Tim Burrow
I’ve been flying microlights since 2004, always Flexwing, and I still consider myself to be a young pilot.
I like to have at least one flying adventure each year, something to plan for, look forward too and feel a sense of achievement once completed. Initially these were what I deemed significant flights cross country to then touring and camping, in 2015 myself and a good flying friend flew right round the outside of the UK mainland for charity. Sea to the Left (made navigation a lot easier) was seven flying days covering 2200 miles of coastline 35 airfields visited and £8000 donated between two cancer charities based in the Northwest.
I’ve always enjoyed taking part in the BMAA Nationals as they got me up and out to different parts of the country that otherwise I probably wouldn’t have gone, It taught me a slightly different take on flying and also got me involved with the British Team where together with my trusted Sea to the Left companion Neil King we managed to get a Bronze Medal in the European Championships in Hungary.
I am that person who has to tell at least one person at any given party or gathering that I’m a pilot and I fly microlights for a hobby, but why not. Its a fantastic sport, its brought me many hours of pleasure, afforded me some of the best experiences in life I could ever wish for and I think we should all be proud of that.
Tell everyone I say, get them all flying and encourage those who have already endured the fight to gain their pilots licence to go out and use it, find your own adventure. Happy Flying.
Cath Spence
I’m passionate about flying and, in particular, the simple affordable access to flight that is at the heart of the BMAA.
I’ve only been flying for 5 years but it’s been a fantastic adventure and so helping to ensure that the same opportunity remains available for others to access is the key motivator for me to stand for Council.
Since starting flying, I have become involved with the BMAA through a number of different things from taking part in the Open Series, to completing Silver Wings (so far, I’m just a navigation exercise away from a Gold). The Microlight Flying editorial team offered another opportunity and I’ve delivered a number of articles for the magazine to date. Most recently, the last 8 months have been spent chairing the lovely team of volunteers in the working group in delivering the Wings relaunch (due May 2022 in case you’re wondering). It’s been a real privilege working with this great group of people in building the new modules and setting up opportunities for pilots to do ongoing learning and development in areas of interest. The team have built some fabulous material and I am proud to have been able to help support the work of the BMAA in this way.
When my feet are on the ground, my day job is around helping with the creation of new businesses and as a result, I have over 15 years of experience sitting on boards as a director, helping to steer new and fledging companies through some challenging times. This experience, combined with a passion for the sport and a desire to support pilots of every kind to join the flying family and then maintain their enjoyment of flight is what I bring to the table.
Rob Grimwood
I have had my microlight pilots licence for 20 years and have been a flying instructor for 19 years.
I run my own flying school from Plaistows Farm in St. Albans. As well as teaching normal students I also teach and examine instructors.
I have a real interest in competition flying and have been World Microlight Champion 5 times.
I also have a Masters Degree in Aeronautical Engineering from Brunel University.
I have been working on the BMAA council for 10 years and thoroughly enjoy trying to make the sport we all love safer and better.
Simon Heyes
I took up microlight training in 2017 and fly a flexwing from East Fortune near to Edinburgh. I have also competed conversion to fixed-wing.
I hold a degree in Aeronautical Engineering, am a Fellow of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (FIMechE) and have worked in the aviation industry at Rolls-Royce and as an Engineer Officer in the RAF on a short-service commission.
For the last 25 years I have worked in the energy industry, becoming General Manager for renewables at one of the energy major utilities and CEO of a private equity-owned energy services company. I hope to use my experience on a number of commercial company boards in my role with the BMAA.
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. My experience with construction of large-scale electricity generation projects helped me recognise the benefits of developing a positive safety culture, which is equally relevant to lightly regulated aviation.
I am also 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.
Brendan Digney
I’m based in Northern Ireland, flying an EV97 Eurostar from Kernan Airfield, Tandragee, alongside an SSDR Letov Sluka. I’m also a current contributor to MF magazine.
“Professionally, I’m an Electrical and Electronic Engineer, and my career to date has been in technical development and the launch of “startup” businesses: something which has brought me around the world on a journey worthy of a story by itself. I’m a graduate of Queen’s University Belfast, Enterprise Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering, Northern Ireland “30 under 30” and Irish Student Entrepreneur of the Year. I’ve recently finished a term as an ambassador for the Institute of Directors, and as a member of the IET’s Engineering Policy Group Northern Ireland. I’m looking forward to applying the same energy towards my role on council.
Part of my background lies in sporting clubs, having spent the best part of the last decade involved in different aspects of sports development and promotion, in both voluntary and semi-professional capacities, at club, university and national levels. Ultimately, the BMAA is one large club, and I see that as a great strength for us. Our clubs are the core unit of our sport, and there are packages of support we can and should be delivering for those. I look forward to exploring how we can best fulfil this need during my term on council.”
Giles Fowler
I started flying at the age of 14, flying gliders at Tibenham Gliding Club and went solo at the age of 16. I gained my Private Pilot’s Licence at the age of 17 after being awarded the Guild of Air Pilots and Air Navigators bursary in 1996 learning at Norwich Airport and have always wanted to be involved in aviation.
I joined the Royal Air Force in 2000 as an Airframes and Propulsion Engineer; however, I still wanted to keep flying so I volunteered with the Air Training Corps flying the Vigilant motor gliders in 2004.
After a career change within the RAF to the Logistics Branch, I then took up Paragliding and Paramotoring and still hold to this day, the UK paramotor altitude record of 21,746ft. After 2 decades Serving in the RAF I wanted to take a different path for quality of life.
I wanted to make flying my main focus and after being awarded a BMAA Instructors Bursary in 202 I qualified as a flexwing flying instructor in 2022, and have never looked back. I have a huge passion for single seat flying and will happily talk all day about my Flylight PeaBee and NiNE flexwing aircraft.
I joined the BMAA council to help give something back to the flying community. I hope to continue supporting the Association for as long as I can continue to add value to the community.
John Waite
I came to microlighting through the chance offer of a flight in a Quantum. Once bitten the microlight bug has never let go.
Fifteen years later, I’ve helped organise club events, UK competitions, the 2016 World Championships at Popham, and the 2010 Flying Show. I’m fortunate to have represented the British Team and held the British, European and World Microlight Champion titles. And, found the time to build three Nynjas while continuing to manage my public relations and marketing consultancy.
