James Scott Thomson

• Having held lead weights engineering positions with several companies, I feel that the knowledge and experience I have gained in these positions, I can offer substantial benefits to any company that requires weights engineering support.
• As a dependable and hard working individual, ensure that all projects are completed in line with agreed scope and timescales.

Employment History

Aircraft Load Control ltd April 2014 to Present

Weights Engineer – BAESYSTEMS Glasgow, Airtanker UK, Airbus Military & Defence, Virgin Atlantic, Cityjet, Westair, FLYBE, Stobart AIr plus misc. other Airlines

As Weights engineer for my own company, I have been technically and commercially responsible for the delivery of W&B services to many Airlines on an Ad-hoc basis including Virgin Atlantic, Cityjet & Airtanker UK (A330 FSTA) and supported Airbus Defence with the W&B issues on the A400M at Brize Norton.

Until recently (COVID), my main role involved supporting Virgin Atlantic and other airlines with all their Day-to-Day weight and balance requirements on an as required basis as well as Design Organisations and their clients with passenger to Freighter aircraft conversions and LOPA changes.

I am currently in the role as lead weights engineer on the Type26 _ Canada project at BAESYSTEMS in Scotstoun.

I have also delivered training courses on aircraft W&B to many airlines, THALES and Airtanker UK Loadmasters which have been tailored to there specific requirements.

BE AEROSPACE March 2015 to Dec 2016

Chief Weights Engineer – A350 Galleys

As Chief Weights engineer, I was technically and commercially responsible for a international team of 7 weights engineers. I also have to ensure technical governance compliance for the team and that the trainee’s develop in an organized and efficient manner.

1. Consultation and project management – all mass/weights tasks.
2. Weight calculations for parts and assemblies.
3. Component weighing.
4. Production of Weight and Balance reports.

Chief Weights Engineer 

As Chief Weights engineer for my own company, I was technically and commercially responsible for the delivery of W&B services to many Airlines and MRO organizations throughout the world including Royal Jet, Virgin Atlantic, Air France Cityjet, Alatheer Aviation, Airtanker UK (A330 FSTA) and Airbus Military A400M (initial deployment in the UK).

1. Production of Weight and Balance reports.
2. Aircraft Weighing.
3. Compilation and revision of operators Operations Manuals (Section 6 and 7).
4. Derivation and revision of AHM560/AHM565 documentation.
5. Design of manual load and trim sheets (IATA Standard) and relevant substantiation reports.
6. Design of electronic load and trim sheets.
7. Weight and balance investigation and trade studies to determine optimum aircraft configuration for weight and performance.
8. Detailed weight and moment calculations for STCs.

Assystem UK Oct 2005 to March 2014

Chief Weights Engineer 

May 2013 – March 2014

Working for Assystem on site at Spirit Aerosystems and Airbus as Lead Weights Engineer Consultant on Airbus A350 section 15 fuselage weight reduction and control program.

Sept 2012 – May 2013

Working for Assystem on site at BAESYSTEMS as Weights Engineer Consultant on Type 26 Naval Ship project. Further information is confidential.

Oct 2005 – Sept 2012

Lead weights engineer on multiple engineering projects including B747, A380, A400M and occasional non Aerospace design packages.

As Chief Weights engineer, I was technically and commercially responsible for a transnational team of 10-12 weights engineers. I also have to ensure technical governance compliance for the team and that the trainee’s develop in an organized and efficient manner.

1. Consultation and project management – all mass/weights tasks.
2. Weight calculations for parts and assemblies.
3. Component weighing.
4. Production of Weight and Balance reports.
5. Aircraft Weighing.
6. Compilation and revision of operators Operations Manuals (Section 6 and 7).
7. Derivation and revision of AHM560/AHM565 documentation.
8. Design of manual load and trim sheets (IATA Standard) and relevant substantiation reports.
9. Design of electronic load and trim sheets.
10. Weight and balance investigation and trade studies to determine optimum aircraft configuration for weight and performance.
11. Detailed weight and moment calculations for STCs.

BAE Systems, Prestwick May 2000 to Oct 2005

Principal Weights Engineer 

Experience as a Weight Control Engineer involved in aircraft projects from conceptual design through to full-scale production. Responsible for all aspects of weight and balance control, trim sheet design, loading manual and AHM560 compilation of various aircraft. These included BAe-146/RJ, Nimrod MRA4, ATP Freighter, Jetstream 32 and the Atmospheric Research Aircraft (ARA).

BAE Systems Military Aircraft, Warton Nov 1998 to May 2000 

Weights Engineer 

Responsible for general mass control on the Eurofighter 2000 (Typhoon) aircraft. Set up a mass control procedure to work in conjunction with the IPD design process. Carried out check weighing of aircraft components and assemblies to verify weight and c.g. calculations. Represented the department at technical meetings.

Bombardier Aerospace, Toronto Facility Oct 1997 to Nov 1998 

Weights Engineer 

Worked on Dash 8 Series 100, 200, 300 and 400 aircraft and was responsible for:

1. Weighing of all of the above aircraft.
2. Creation of load sheets for above aircraft for dispatch and test flights.
3. Calculation of general mass properties from detail drawings. 
4. Production of weight estimates for Dash 8-200X & 300X concept aircraft.
5. Production of weight proposals for Dash 8-100, 200 & 300 customer aircraft.
6. Developed a PC based trim sheet format for Dash 8 aircraft.
7. Calculated new aircraft type specification weights due to introduction of new C&D interior.
8. Modified Dash 8 weighing procedure, which in turn saved time and was more accurate.

Weights Engineer 

Working on Jetstream 31, Super 31, 41, 61, ATP, Bulldog and Nimrod 2000 aircraft covering all aspects of aircraft weighing/load control.

This included

1. Weighing of all aircraft

1. Creation of loads sheets

1. Supervision of aircraft loading

1. Creation of trim sheets

1. Compilation of weight & balance reports

1. Creation of loading loops

1. Weight & Balance Manual vetting

1. Estimating

1. Equipment maintenance and calibration

1. General mass analysis

1. Calculation of general mass properties

1. Training

1. Weighing of components and assemblies

1. Weight reduction initiatives

1. Estimation of mass and moments

1. Balancing of control surfaces

Employment History

British Aerospace Aug 1989 to July 1994

Trainee Weights Engineer July 1993 to July 1994

Trained in all basic practical and theoretical aspects of aircraft weights engineering in on Jetstream 31, Super 31, 41, ATP and Bulldog aircraft

Aircraft Fitter Dec 1992 to July 1993

Working on Jetstream 31, Super 31, 41, 61, ATP and Bulldog aircraft. Part of a group that was in charge of modification, kit and repair embodiment for all BAe aircraft - structures, interiors and systems. Tasks included final assembly of J41 and J31 aircraft, pressure testing J31 and J41 fuselage and wings, final fitting of J31 passenger door and window, final fitting of J31 fin, rudder and control surfaces.

Apprentice Aircraft Fitter Aug 1989 to Dec 1992

Trained in all basic aspects of aircraft engineering including production of details, manufacture of sub-assemblies, systems installation systems and installation of major components.

Qualified Aircraft Mechanical Fitted - Time server apprentice at BAESYSTEMS

HNC - Aeronautical Engineering

Catia V5 & FORAN Design Toolset Training