Brian Lecomber was a professional aerobatic display pilot for 25 years. He has been British Freestyle Aerobatic Champion, a best-selling author, and was recently voted Aviation Journalist of the Year. Brian watches the Bloodhound project from outside the box…
We British have traditionally tried to regard stress as a slightly dirty bodily function rather beneath our dignity. Upper lip stiff enough to support a Lee Enfield rifle and all that, eh what? We Brits don’t actually DO stress…
I am standing here, in Coventry Motor Museum, watching a bunch of kids pushing plastic rods and wheels and clips together to make little cars. A sort of 21st century update of the Meccano I used to so love bending and abusing. Only now they have no nuts and bolts.
The inside of any team of persons is an always-interesting and occasionally brutish place to be. I have all the psychological qualifications of a retarded gerbil – but the University of Life long ago taught me there are two main kinds of team: Aggressive and Competitive.
Or so I thought.
Let me paint a scenario. You are part of the design team of a major aircraft manufacturer. You are attending a design symposium devoted to the latest mega-monster airliner. These meetings happen fairly regularly so that all the various disciplines can have a beer or six…..
It is most difficult to dislike Conor La Grue. I am working at it, but have to confess I am losing heart.
