The School of Engineering and Materials Science, Queen Mary University of London hosted a guest lecture by Andy Fawkes on Friday 31st October. The lecture focused on flight simulation, human factors in aviation, and pathways to professional recognition, including Chartered Engineer (CEng) and Incorporated Engineer (IEng) status, and was part of the third-year Conceptual Design of Aircraft module.

Andy Fawkes is a recognised specialist in aerospace training and simulation. He is a Fellow of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (FIMechE), chairs its CEng professional recognition panel, and is a member of the Royal Aeronautical Society (RAeS) Simulation Group. He has extensive experience across defence, simulation technologies, and digital training innovation. He has also authored publications on UAS (Uncrewed Aerial Systems) and drone-related simulation, contributing to current discussions on how training methods are evolving alongside emerging flight platforms and autonomous systems.

During the lecture, Andy traced the development of flight simulation from early mechanical trainers to modern virtual and extended reality environments, illustrating how simulation enables safer and more effective pilot training. He highlighted the central role of human factors, emphasising situational awareness, teamwork, and the challenges of balancing automation with pilot engagement. The session concluded with practical guidance on working towards professional engineering recognition, outlining the necessary competencies, reflective practice, and evidence gathering.

The lecture was engaging and highly informative, offering students valuable insight into careers in aerospace simulation and professional development pathways.