David Gibbings

David Gibbings MBE is an ex RAF Apprentice, a retired RAF Engineer/Navigator and Flight Test Engineer for helicopters and aircraft.

He worked on the Rotodyne with Fairey and during a long flight test career with Westland flew with most of their helicopters, including the Lynx on its first flight, retiring in 1993 as Chief Flight Test Engineer. Awarded the 'Kelly Johnson' award for outounding achievement in his field by the Society of Flight Test Engineers, he was the first recipient to receive the award outside the US. David lives in Somerset and has continued to work as an aviation artist, flight test consultant and flight historian. He is an accomplished Aviation Artist with many paintings sold worldwide

In 2001 David was confirmed as having Parkinson's Disease, a fact that he likes to make known, and in spite of his affliction he continues to lead a full and active life.

In 2010 David received a Fellowship of the SFTE.

David received the MBE in the New Year Honours List 2014

awarded the 'John J Schneider' History Award by the American Helicopter Society, May 2015.