What is your current role, and what does it involve?

I lead strategic relationships and business development for Bristow’s advanced air mobility (AAM) segment. In this role, I support Bristow’s global AAM efforts by collaborating with manufacturers, industry partners, government, and other key global stakeholders to develop and support the successful launch of AAM aircraft within Bristow’s fleet.

How is Bristow developing its AAM sector?

We aim to leverage our 75-plus years of operating expertise and strong safety culture to pave the way for the safe, efficient, and reliable operation of new-generation AAM aircraft.

What is the long-term goal of the AAM sector?

Our goal is to lead the world in innovative and sustainable vertical flight solutions.

I cannot speak for the entire sector, although generally speaking there are grand ambitions to broadly increase accessibility and sustainability across the aviation and mobility ecosystem.

For Bristow specifically, our goal is to lead the world in innovative and sustainable vertical flight solutions. AAM is just one way in which Bristow is leading our industry to a more sustainable future. These innovative technologies allow us to deliver advanced and increasingly efficient solutions both to our existing customer base and to new markets. By guiding the operationalization of AAM, we strengthen our business resilience, corporate citizenship, competitiveness, and overall success.

How are new technologies transforming aviation for the better? Which technologies do you think are making the biggest impact?

I think the broad base of partners with whom Bristow collaborates inform how we view the emerging technologies. Ideally, we see an opportunity to use a mix of emerging capabilities, propulsion, and design to build robust network capabilities. So that means hybrid uncrewed aerial systems such as Elroy Air’s Chaparral, hybrid short takeoff and landing (STOL) capability like what we are seeing Electra develop, and then of course purely electric solutions such as BETA, Volocopter and others, in some cases all working together to provide network capabilities.

Just as we operate a diverse fleet in our traditional business, that breadth and depth and variety all have a place moving forward

Just as we operate a diverse fleet in our traditional business, that breadth and depth and variety all have a place moving forward.

How are sustainability goals affecting Bristow’s aviation operations?

We believe AAM represents a powerful solution for companies like Bristow to help facilitate the energy transition. In addition to supporting Bristow’s sustainability goals, AAM offerings can help our customers meet their own emissions reduction targets.

Looking ahead, how do you think drones / uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs) will affect the special missions sector in particular, rather than just general aviation?

Drones in particular are well suited to certain special missions, especially search and rescue (SAR). Advanced sensors attached to a fleet of drones could enable more effective search missions, while preserving crew day for the crewed rescue mission. Additionally, during and in the aftermath of natural disasters, drones can be tasked to deliver critical supplies while bypassing traditional infrastructure that may be impassable or unsafe. In the UK, Bristow operates a fleet of Schiebel S-100 uncrewed aerial systems (UASs) on behalf of the UK Coastguard.

What is Bristow’s approach to training the future generation of pilots?

These improvements can not only reduce the amount of time it takes to train a pilot, but they can also dramatically reduce the cost of training, opening pilot careers to those who cannot afford the cost of training today

We would like to see civil aviation authorities embrace newer and more efficient training methodologies that have been developed in the last two decades. Scenario-based training conducted in realistic airspace conditions, coupled with small-platform full-motion simulators utilizing mixed or virtual reality technology, have the potential to revolutionize how pilots are trained. These improvements can not only reduce the amount of time it takes to train a pilot, but they can also dramatically reduce the cost of training, opening pilot careers to those who cannot afford the cost of training today. Bristow believes that increasing diversity in future generations of pilots is critical to maintaining the health of the industry.

Do you think that the pilot shortage will continue to adversely affect the aviation industry? How might the industry attract and retain more talent?

Pilot shortages are cyclical, so today’s pilot shortage will eventually become tomorrow’s pilot surplus. However, depending on the speed at which AAM proliferates, this may be a more extended period of pilot shortage. AAM provides one distinct advantage over more typical pilot careers, though. Because of their shorter range, electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft (eVTOLs) will generally remain within the same areas day to day, which will enable the pilots to be home every night. The benefits of coming home to your family every evening are multifaceted and cannot be overstated.