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Gerard Struthers
Head of Flight Test at Volocopter GmbH
Professional Background
Gerard Struthers is an esteemed Lead Flight Test Engineer with an impressive 23 years of experience in the aerospace engineering sector. His extensive background encompasses design, certification, testing, and evaluation, with a specific focus on flight operations. Over the past 15 years, Gerard has had the unique opportunity to serve as professional aircrew on an impressive 18 different aircraft types, showcasing his versatility and adaptability in the fast-paced aerospace industry.
Gerard's profound expertise is fortified by a multitasking foundation built upon over 80% of his career dedicated to aircraft development assignments. His skill set in flight test data analysis and interpretation is unparalleled, making him an invaluable asset to multidisciplinary teams. Additionally, Gerard has honed his leadership abilities, holding pivotal roles such as the former Commercial Jet Lead Flight Test Engineer and Flight Test Center Chief Engineer (Pr. Eng - Mech).
His contributions to the aerospace field are noteworthy, particularly his significant proficiency in ensuring compliance with world-class aircraft certification standards. Some of his past roles, like the Flight Deck FBW - Control System Design Engineer position, exemplify his deep understanding of aviation mechanics and flight operations. With over 700 hours of test execution, including more than 600 hours serving as a Test Conductor/Test Director (TC/TD), Gerard’s hands-on experience and technical acumen are commendable.
Education and Achievements
Gerard Struthers has a solid educational foundation that underscores his knowledge and skills in the engineering domain. He pursued a Bachelor of Engineering (B.Eng) in Mechanical Engineering at Stellenbosch University, a respectable institution known for producing highly skilled engineers. This degree laid the groundwork for his extensive career in aerospace engineering.
Further enhancing his expertise, Gerard completed advanced aerospace short courses focusing on Flight Tests and Flight Test Data Acquisition at The University of Kansas. These educational experiences have not only broadened his knowledge base but also equipped him with cutting-edge techniques essential for the evolving needs of the aerospace industry.
Notable Achievements
During his illustrious career, Gerard has held numerous key positions in various prominent organizations, each role contributing significantly to his professional growth and the aerospace sector.
- Current Role: As the Head of Flight Test at Volocopter GmbH, Gerard leads pivotal flight testing initiatives focusing on innovative electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, which are at the forefront of aviation technology.
- Previous Management Role: He served as the Flight Test Team Manager for the M90 SpaceJet FTV#3 at Mitsubishi Aircraft Corporation (Global), where he guided his team through complex testing operations.
- Senior Role in Aerospace Testing: His role as Senior Flight Test Engineer at AeroTEC - Aerospace Testing Engineering & Certification L.L.C. allowed Gerard to deepen his expertise in aircraft certification and testing.
- Engineering Specialist Position: Gerard contributed as an Engineering Specialist in Flight Deck Design at Bombardier Aerospace, showcasing his ability to influence design and operational decisions in critical settings.
- Leadership at SA Air Force: He previously served as Chief Engineer at the SA Air Force Test Flight & Development Centre, where he enabled successful test plans and operations for various military aviation components.
- Founder at Diamond Aircraft: Ending his tenure as the Lead Flight Test Engineer at Diamond Aircraft, Gerard played a pivotal role in their flight testing protocols and operational strategies.
Gerard's journey reflects not only his technical skills and project leadership but also his dedication to the continued advancement of the aerospace engineering field.
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Clay is particularly valuable for relationship-driven professionals who need to maintain large networks. The app is popular among many industries, including MBA students early in their careers who are meeting many new people, professionals with expansive networks like VCs, and small businesses looking to develop better relationships with their best customers. Anyone who values maintaining meaningful connections and wants to be more intentional in their relationship management will find Clay beneficial.
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Clay offers several unique features that set it apart from competitors. Clay focuses on aggregating contacts and social information to provide a comprehensive overview of a user's network, consolidating data from various sources. Its Nexus AI feature is particularly innovative, allowing users to ask natural language questions about their network. Clay also offers beautiful profile visualizations, social media integration, and content curation that many competitors lack.
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