1993 David E. Gibbings

David Gibbings Receives
Kelly Johnson Award

The Society is proud to award the Kelly Johnson Award for Outstanding Achievement in the field of Flight Test Engineering to David Gibbings.

Born and educated in Plymouth, England, he joined the Air Training Corps in 1945, and experienced his first flight. The natural progression was to join the RAF at Halton as an apprentice in 1949, becoming a navigator in 1952. He served at various RAF stations including a phase at RCAF Winnipeg flying "Expeditors" on a NATO training exercise.

He left the RAF in 1953, and after a brief spell with DeHavilland, joined Fairey Aviation in 1954 as a Flight Observer, initially flying in Meteors on a Guided Weapons project. His career path led to White Waltham, working closely with the Fairey Rotodyne, Scout, Wasp and Gannet Mk3. After transferring to Westland Helicopters, Yeovil Flight Test Department in late 1964, he was instrumental in planning the Lynx Flight Test Program, and with the late Ron Gellatly, was privileged to fly on the last Lynx sortie.

During the 1970's, as Icing Trials Manager, he conducted a number of Heated Rotor Blade development trials in Denmark and Canada, using a Wessex Mk5 as a test vehicle for WG34, later to become an EH101.

As a holder of a Private Pilot's License, he first soloed a Tiger Moth in 1955, and has since piloted 17 different types of fixed wing aircraft. As a professional flight test engineer, he has flown in over 100 aircraft types, including 35 helicopters.

David has performed a management role in Flight Test for many years, culminating in the position of Chief Flight Test Engineer in 1991. He has been an active member of the Royal Aeronautical Society, holding local Secretary and Committee positions for a number of years, and later became a founding member of the SFTE's UK Chapter.

There are no divisions in his working life and leisure: they are both dominated by aircraft to the exclusion of all else. His stature as an Aviation Artist, author and illustrator has increased significantly with the years, culminating in becoming a member of the Guild of Aviation Artists. Many of his paintings have been produced as "Limited Edition" prints. His sharp wit and unique turn of phrase has made him a speaker in great demand on the aviation lecture circuit, speaking in many parts of the world including, Norway, Denmark, USA, Canada, Brazil and numerous venues in the UK.