Saturday, February 14, 2015

Maurice Rose'Meyer 1928-















 Maurice Patrick Rose'Meyer was born in 1928. He spent his early years in India where he travelled extensively. His father was a captain in the Indian army who later was an executive in the Indian railways. His mother was the daughter of a rubber plantation owner in Burma, now Myanmar who later owned a tea estate in Southern India. Armed with a science degree and a diploma from the College of Aeronautical Engineering in London UK, Maurice was first employed by AV Roe in 1951, in Woodford, Cheshire in the UK, as a Flight Test Observer, and took part in tests on the Shackleton Submarine Hunter, Ashton, Vulcan Bomber, Anson and the delta wing 707 research aircraft.
In 1953 he was employed in N.Ireland with Short Brothers and Harland as Senior Flight Test engineer. he took a major role in research and development tests. His first task was to participate in water handling tests on the Sealand Seaplane on which he experienced severe porpoising. He was also given the task of flight testing modifications, on a large Solent Seaplane.  Military aircraft tests were conducted on the Seamew Submarine Hunter, Sturgeon.
In 1956 he joined the Air Registration board in London England now the CAA.  There, he represented the Board during certifications tests on the Blackburn Beverly and flew in many aircraft to check and certify major modifications on a variety of aircraft, such as the DC 8, Stratocruiser, Dakota, Pioneer, Auster, and Dragon Rapide.
He also conducted pilot examinations to test their knowledge of the flight manual.
In 1958, he returned to Shorts as a Senior Flight Test Engineer and conducted tests
On several models of the Canberra including the SC 4 Drone Canberra and the PR 9 high altitude spy plane. During tests on the PR9 aircraft he took part in the development of early pressure suits, as the aircraft often flew at altitudes near outer space (67,300ft). He planned and directed research tests on the SC 1 vertical take off and landing aircraft and the SB 5 swept wing research aircraft.
In 1963 Maurice emigrated to Canada where he was employed by De Havilland and soon was promoted to Chief Flight Test Engineer. Aircraft tested, were the Beaver, Turbo Beaver, Caribou, Twin Otter and it's many variants including the float and ski plane and land and float water bombers. STOL research was conducted on a "super STOL Twin Otter.  He was both Project and Test Engineer during the development of the Tracker Water Bomber. Other development and certification tests were conducted on the Buffalo, Dash 7 and Dash 8 series of aircraft. He conducted tests on the ACLS (Air Cushion Landing and take off System), he planned and participated in the development tests of the Augmentor Wing Buffalo. ( A Super STOL Research Aircraft) and conducted development of cargo drop systems. Maurice was the test director on the first flights of the Twin Otter, Dash 7 and Dash 8 Aircraft.
  After retiring in 1991, Maurice continued testing aircraft as a consultant. He planned and conducted tests to certify narrow runway operations on the Dash 7 and Dash 8.  He also planned and conducted gravel runway certification tests on a Dash-8 and certification tests on the Turbo Caribou and high (13,500ft) airfield certification tests on a Series 200 Dash 8. Participated in a NASA contaminated runway test program.
At age 86. Maurice is now on a consultant contract with the International Test Pilots School in London Ontario, to advise on flight testing.
A grand total of 63 years flight testing, with perhaps more to come.
Maurice has authored two aviation books: "Adventure In The Air" and Project Silver Bullet".