New Member Spotlight

Glenn Johnson FRAeS, 57

Location: North Carolina, USA.

Job Title: Fellow of Industrial Design, Collins Aerospace (part of RTX Technologies).

What inspired you into aviation? Watching the lunar landing live on a black and white television, building and flying my own gliders and kites. Later on, discovering the visual functional beauty of aircraft, such as the Handley Page Victor and North American XB-70.

What is the best thing about your current role? Developing the creative discipline of industrial design; focusing on the overall customer experiences. Using this to improve our aerospace products across different businesses. Bringing new aircraft interior products to market.

What made you join the Royal Aeronautical Society? This has been in my mind since I started work in 1986 as a technical illustrator at BAe Brough (think Buccaneer).

What do you hope to get out of your membership? Collaboration, professional involvement and information, keeping up with what’s going on and alternative industry perspectives – with a more European aspect.

What three items would you take with you to the space station? ‘Yorkshire’ tea bags, digestive biscuits and a Kindle tablet loaded with books.

What’s your favourite aircraft and why? North American XB-70 Valkyrie, as very little comes close – if you truly love aircraft you have to go and see the XB-70 in Dayton, Ohio.

Who is your biggest inspiration? Two people – Herr Werner Gronow (MBB/Airbus) and Derek Bartlett, de Havilland/BAe – I really can’t thank them enough.

Piece of advice for someone looking to enter your field? Dream hard enough that it ‘starts to happen’; start anywhere, and never be too proud, work hard – read, learn, travel and try to develop some humility. Lastly, try to be kind.