The Orkney Aviation Festival will take place on-line on Thursday 10th September.

The online series of talks available on YouTube have been made possible by Howie Firth and the Orkney International Science Festival. The 3 talks will be via the Science Festival’s website:oisf.org

Squadron Commander Dunning and his Aircraft

The opening event welcomes back acclaimed author and naval historian Commander David Hobbs MBE RN (retired).

His talk, “Squadron Commander Dunning, the Man and the Plane” reflects on the career and life of Squadron Commander Dunning, the first man to land an aircraft onto a moving ship, which took place on 2nd August 1917, in Orkney.

Last year David took part in events commemorating the 80th anniversary of RNAS Hatston, HMS Sparrowhawk, and unveiled an information board at Kirkwall Auction Mart.

His book “Royal Navy’s Air Service in the Great War” includes the story of Squadron Commander Dunning.

From Airships to the Space Race – Some of the technical contributions by women

In her talk “From Airships to the Space Race – Some of the technical contributions by women” engineering historian Dr Nina Baker looks at some remarkable women mathematicians and engineers who worked in aeronautical engineering development in the 20th century, including those who helped to design the R101 airship, figured out why the Comet airliners kept crashing and much else besides.

Dr Nina Baker’s varied career, began as a merchant navy deck officer, later gaining the Certificate of Competency as a First Mate of a Foreign-going Vessel.

After a degree in engineering design from the University of Warwick she achieved a PhD in concrete durability from the University of Liverpool before moving to Glasgow where she lectured in further education.

She now researches into the history of women in engineering and promotes engineering as a career option for girls.

Her talk will be chaired by Hannah Smith, Director, Institution of Civil Engineers (Scotland)

Celebrating 55 Years of the Britten Norman Islander 

A familiar sight in Orkney skies since the re-establishment of the inter-island air service in 1967, Britten Norman’s Islander grows from strength to strength.

The Festival talk will celebrate its success, including contributions from retired neuro-surgeon John Firth and retired pilot Andy Alsop.

John Firth’s 1960s chance encounter with John Britten and Desmond Norman resulted in them meeting the Logan Company.

Andy Alsop has a wealth of experience flying Islanders having done so for many years in Orkney and then later in the Falkland Islands.

This session is chaired by Howie Firth.