[profile src=”132″ image_size=”full” name=”Dr Bernd Sträter Dipl. lng. 2010 – present” title=”President of the Airship Association”]Dr Sträter studied mechanical engineering at the Technical University in Darmstadt. In 1969 he worked as an assistant professor at the Institute of Aeronautical Engineering at the Technische Hochschule – Darmstadt with research activities in aircraft design, aeronautics and wind tunnel techniques and attained his PhD in 1976. Dr Sträter has since held many positions within the aeronautics industry notably with Dornier Aviation GmbH. After the sale by Deutsche Aerospace (DASA) of Dornier Aviation to Fairchild, Dr Sträter was appointed by the DASA board to be President and Managing Director of Eurocolumbus, the European space station programme company managing the Columbus module. Following this Dr Sträter became manager of the profit centre Daimler Benz Airport Systems.
In 1999 Dr Sträter was appointed President and Managing Director of Zeppelin Luftschifftechnik GmbH and Deutsche Zeppelin-Reederei GmbH (DZR). Following his retirement from DZR, Dr Sträter now runs his own aeronautical consultancy. Dr Sträter is a registered expert for aeronautical engineering, aircraft design and operation and LTA in the EU and Germany and was recently appointed to evaluation teams in Berlin and Brussels.[/profile]
[profile image_size=”full” name=”Peter Ward” title=”Chair of the Airship Association” src=”133″]Peter Ward has spent all his working life in the industrial gases business specialising in Helium Applications. Peter joined Air Products in 1969 operating Helium liquefiers, developing large bulk liquid helium containers and supplying liquid helium to scientific and industrial establishment. In 1972 whilst supplying Helium to the Goodyear Airship Europa at Cardington Peter became interested in airships and joined the Airship Association. Following a number of managerial positions in the UK and Belgium Peter joined the German Industrial gas company Linde in 1992 where he held various managerial positions within the Helium organisation. During this period Peter worked with Richard Branson and Per Lindstrand on their “Around the World” balloon attempts.
Peter was also involved for many years in the MRI development and production business setting up helium transfer plants in the Oxford, UK and Shenzhen, China.
Peter retired from Linde in 2009 holding the positions of Managing Director for Helison Marketing and Senior Business advisor for the International Helium Group. Peter currently consults on helium supply and applications.[/profile]
[profile image_size=”full” name=”Professor Gabriel Khoury CEng, FIStructE, FRAeS, MINucE, MIFE, EurIng” title=”Vice Chairman”]Professor Gabriel Khoury he obtained his BSc and MSc from the University of London in Nuclear Engineering in 1970 and 1974 respectively, and obtained his PhD in Civil Engineering (concrete structures) from the University of London (IC) in 1984. Professor Khoury has worked on numerous projects, and his publications include Airship Technologies (Cambridge University Press). Professor mKhoury is currently visiting Professor at Imperial College London, and Padua University.[/profile]
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Council Members
[profile image_size=”full” name=”Mr P A Adams” title=”Council Member”]Paul Adams spent 15 years as an airship pilot with the Lightship Group, before becoming a consultant in the LTA world; his experience ranges from commercial operations to military and high altitude vehicles, with both manned and unmanned vehicles. Paul has also taken over as Editor of the Airship Journal, the quarterly journal of the Airship Association.[/profile]
[profile image_size=”full” name=”Dr G Camplin PHD” title=”Council Member”]Dr Giles Camplin has been a keen advocte of LTA Technologies for many years, both dirigibles and free balloons. He has been involved in a number of LTA projects including within the entertainment industry, and has also been involved in the preparations for several world record attempts. Giles specialises in historical research and has a great interest in the Ground Handling aspect of LTA vehicles.[/profile]
[profile image_size=”full” name=”Mr R. H. Chadburn, C. Eng, FIMarE” title=”Council Member”]Richard Chadburn is a Marine Engineer by profession, and spent many years working for Shell, both as an Engineering Officer, and subsequently in a variety of other roles. He worked closely with the International Maritime Organisation during the development of LNG Tankers, and became interested in the applications of Airships while investigating alternative methods of transport for gasses. Mr Chadburn bacame Chairman of the Airship Association in the mid-1990′s and instigated the bi-annual international conventions in 1996. He remains an active member of the council.[/profile]
[profile image_size=”full” name=”Mr M Hill BSc” title=”Council Member”]Career in the Biopharmaceutical Industry, for Wellcome, GSK , Celltech and UCB initially in analytical development. Specialized in laboratory robotics, Laboratory Information Systems (LIMS), Quality systems and regulatory requirements. LTA interest cover many years and joined the Airship Association in 1984. Constructed several RC airship platforms for advertising and photography.[/profile]
[profile image_size=”full” name=”Mr N Hills” title=”Council Member”]After serving in the Royal Air Force, Nigel Hills spent some years working in the large IT Consultancies as Project manager then Business Area manager in the telecoms arena; a long term interest in the capabilities of LTA vehicles led him to volunteer for council in 2006.[/profile]
[profile image_size=”full” name=”Mr R Hochstetler” title=”Council Member”]Ron Hochstetler has over 20 years of technical and management experience in research and development, logistical support, project management, and marketing for aerospace, (LTA) technologies. Several years experience in R&D management, as well as market development of airborne remote sensing services. Specific expertise includes, marketing, operational analysis, and sensor systems utilization planning for manned and unmanned airships, with special expertise in logistics and ground support.[/profile]
[profile image_size=”full” name=”Mr R Knotts” title=”Council Member”]After a 33 year career in the Royal Air Force, initially as aircrew and then as Engineering Officer, Robert Knotts joined British Aerospace as Integrated Logistics Support Manager for the BAe 146 and ATP. He subsequently bacame Senior Lecturer in Mechanical Engineering and Project Management at Manchester Metropolitan University.[/profile]
[profile image_size=”full” name=”Ms A von Zeppelin” title=”Council Member”]Anna von Zeppelin is a graduate of the University of Queensland and has worked as an analyst in Investment Banking since leaaving university. After spending several years working in the London branch, her bank has posted her to Australia to continue her career.[/profile]
[profile image_size=”full” name=”Mr J K Woods” title=”Council Member”]John Woods is a freelance maverick treasurer, accountant, hot-air-balloon pilot, motorbike instructor and garment printer and can eat a Big Mac in 3 bites.[/profile]
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