01 Mar 2006
A BAE Systems employee has used his long career in the aerospace business to support students of Aeronautical systems all over the country.
Allan Seabridge, Head of Flight Systems Engineering, who is based at BAE Systems’ Warton Site, has written and edited text books which have become the recommended texts at many universities. He has also helped to design Aerospace systems courses and has mentored students across the country.
Allan has worked for BAE Systems for 37 years and has worked on a wide variety of programmes, from Canberra to Eurofighter Typhoon and many in between. He is due to retire from the Company in April.
‘Military Avionic Systems’, Allan’s latest book, co-written with Ian Moir, a colleague from the early days of working on the Eurofighter prototype, has just been published by the specialist publisher, John Wiley.
Allan’s writing led to him being asked to design Aerospace systems courses, which has helped him play a role in shaping the engineers of the future. He said: “By actually helping universities to design their courses we can shape the sort of graduates we get in the future, which is key to BAE Systems as a company and to the industry as a whole. For example, I helped Manchester University put more systems engineering into its modules. I was approached by the course leader who had read one of my books and wanted to make the course more relevant to the demands of today’s aerospace industry.
“I have also designed a module for the MSc at the University of the West of England and have helped design courses for Bristol University. I have been a mentor to students studying at many institutions too, especially at Loughborough University, with which BAE Systems has a long-term partnership, where I have been involved in undergraduate and postgraduate courses in Systems Engineering.
“It is really good to see young people getting excited about aircraft. That’s the reason I entered this industry, as did many of my colleagues, and I’m glad to say the excitement of our products is still an attraction for many.”
Allan, who lives in Lytham St Annes is planning to carry on writing into his retirement: ‘Writing is something I enjoy and when I retire I’m going to be able to devote more time to it.”
But Allan will also find time to relax too: “My wife and I enjoy travelling and we have a trip to Japan lined up; I would also love to go back to Africa and do some safaris. I’m looking forward to being able to do more things like that, although my house and garden will be demanding some attention.”
About BAE SYSTEMS
BAE Systems is the premier transatlantic defence and aerospace company delivering a full range of products and services for air, land and naval forces, as well as advanced electronics, information technology solutions and customer support services. With more than 100,000 employees worldwide, BAE Systems sales exceeded GBP 15.4 billion (US$28 billion) in 2005.
For further information, please contact:
Lucy Loughney, BAE Systems
Tel: + 44 (0)1772 856525
Mobile: + 44 (0)780 171 6398
Email:lucy.loughney@baesystems.com
