Stuart Tucker

Background

About Stuart Tucker

After concluding my apprenticeship and qualifications, I worked in the machine tool industry engaged in concept design and product design of hydraulic press-brakes, shearing machines and turret-punches. I joined GKN Westland Helicopters in the Rotor Systems Group within Dynamic Composites. My main involvement as a senior engineer encompassed working on the definition of composite structures for the British Experimental Rotor Programme (BERP and developing master geometry for wind-tunnel testing models and production for the BERP IV Programme. The exposure to novel technologies and the learning gained from a talented cadre of engineer's started a lifelong journey into the aerospace sector. Recruited by Airbus and served in R&T supporting composite wingbox projects (TANGO & ALCAS). Operating as an Advanced Professional team leader; I set up, trained and ran the Composites Capability Team (CCT) with the full support of senior management within Airbus UK TWE. My team was embedded into A400M and A350XWB providing specialist support on CATIA CPD design capability and the design of composite structures. We developed composites methodologies with our operational colleagues and recommended ways of working- that are now among the standard accepted methods within Airbus Transnationally. I was fortunate to be able to author and deliver composites technology and design training for developing engineer's from many partner nations engaged on various Airbus projects. Selected to attend the Lancaster University Business School, I learnt much about how high performance effective teams operate given the right leadership, circumstances and environment. Due to my many valued contacts within the industry, I set up Blackwing Engineering Ltd and for the last fifteen years I have been a contract design-engineer, freelance design-engineer and design-checker, working on a range of projects for various clients including: Airbus. Leonardo. GKN. Zodiac Seats (Safran). IBM. Aerocomp Ltd. In August 2019 I joined the National Composites Centre (NCC) as a Principal Research Engineer. I work alongside some very talented people; our core mission being to work with industrial partners and academia to launch future technologies and to facilitate this by our expertise in composite structures and education/training.