Osprey are delighted to welcome Robby Robertson as a Senior Consultant working in the Platforms and Air Systems Team. Robby joins Osprey after nearly 38 years in the Royal Air Force. Trained as a helicopter pilot he amassed 4150 flying hours completing extensive operational flying in Wessex HC2, Chinook HC1 and Chinook HC2 aircraft. This included Northern Ireland, Gulf War 1, IFOR and SFOR in Bosnia and numerous detachments to the Falkland Islands. After flying he completed a variety of staff appointments such as the helicopter tactics desk in the Air Warfare Centre, which included running trials, before 3 years in the USA completing a Masters in Strategic Studies at the USAF Air War College in Alabama and thence the UK Exchange Officer to HQ US Central Command in Florida.
Back in the UK he created, established and continuously developed the No 2 Group Air Safety Management System (ASMS) designed to encompass numerous aircraft types including helicopters, fast jets, transport, remotely piloted air systems and air-to-air refuelling. The role, in essence head of Air Safety for the Air Officer Commanding, included recruiting and training 15 personnel to form the first Safety, Training, Assurance and Regulation team in the RAF. A Cranfield MSc in Human Factors and Safety Assessment in Aeronautics was completed on a part time basis as well. A move to No 22 Group followed, again as the Head of Air Safety, where developing the extant ASMS to incorporate the new aircraft types being procured by ASCENT for the Military Flying Training System while maintaining the legacy aircraft was a challenge. As was working to ensure all parties understood their role in meeting the Military Aviation Authority (MAA) Regulations.
His final 4 years were as Head of the Fixed Wing Branch within the Operating Assurance Group of the MAA. He led a team of 5 military aircrew providing Air Safety assurance, on behalf of the Secretary of State for Defence, regarding operation of UK military fixed wing aircraft. Noteworthy successes included: participating in the design and implementation of new enhanced conditions-based assurance processes; managing, leading and assisting Air Safety audits across the Defence Air Environment; working with the CAA and civil air display community to improve regulation and safe delivery of UK air displays; and, improving/rewriting Military Aviation Authority Regulatory Articles. As a trained IRCA accredited Lead Auditor, Human Factors Facilitator and Occurrence Investigator Robby brings a wealth of practical Air Safety knowledge and experience to the team.
