Royal Aeronautical Society Heathrow Branch September 2017 Lecture -
"I Believe I Can Fly: Human Powered Flying"
by Samuel Penny, Licensed Aircraft Engineer, British Airways & Member of the British Human Powered Flying Club (BHPFC)


ABSTRACT:
In this kick-off lecture of the season, our speaker will talk about his interest in aviation, his initial involvement in the Bognor Birdman Competition, the design and build of Zephyrous II, his human powered flying machine designed to fly 2km and which can reach 16mph in good weather.

He will also speak about the British Human Powered Flying Club (BHPFC), the Human Powered Flight Specialist Group of the Royal Aeronautical Society and their role in promoting Human Powered Flight.


ABOUT THE SPEAKER:
Samuel Penny is a 28 year old aircraft engineer and has always lived in Sussex, attending the Bognor Birdman was an annual tradition so seems right that he would eventually have a go. He describes himself as self-confessed nutty professor – as he is always building or making something.

Samuel has always been interested in aviation but only become hands on when he went to Northbrook College, Shoreham after leaving school. He then got in an apprenticeship scheme with Virgin Atlantic Airways, where he worked for a total of 8 years, became a licensed technician, while continues designing and creating projects on his days off. Samuel joined British Airways in 2015 as a Licensed Aircraft Engineer (LAE).