Team
The team to date
Phase 1 has involved a diverse range of professions and capabilities. Led by founder James Labouchere the work was supported by individuals across racing yacht, Formula 1 and aircraft industries, bringing learning from Scaled Composites, Airbus Future Projects and BAe Corporate Jets (subsequently Raytheon Corporate Jets). The team has included the former head of aerodynamics at BAe Woodford, chief aerodynamicist of the F1 turboprop, certification manager of the Hawker 800XP and former director of the Royal Aircraft Establishment. They have led the successful certification of various aircraft types and been appointed multiple awards. Valued corporate supporters have included Green Marine, Blue Bear Systems Research, Cobham, and Houlder (formerly Seaspeed).
The team going forward
Many of the Phase 1 team are shareholders and highly motivated in providing ongoing services and transfer of expertise. This captures all the experience and know-how that has cumulated from the technology development and both Ocean and GULL UAV seaplane programmes to date.
The Phase 1 team has been augmented for Phase 2 with the core competencies across aircraft and business development professions, through development, manufacture, certification and marketing. These include a former PWC partner, lead Augusta-Westland manufacturing expert and Brown & Root project manager, who will detail plans for commercialisation in Phase 3. Flying-S Inc. is ready to complete the first demonstrator aircraft. Hamble Aerostructures (formerly GE Aerostructures) will be central in development of the production airframes and manufacturing processes.
Building marketing capability, Ocean is starting work with a long-standing investor with a background in marketing across luxury automotive, aviation and marine sectors. A team that designs for McLaren Special Projects and prepares marketing material for McLaren sports cars brings cutting edge promotion technology to the business.
Development and detail aircraft requirements have been guided by Vancouver-based Harbour Air, the largest seaplane operator in North America, which has declared its intent to replace most if its fleet with Ocean seaplanes. Bringing tropical operating experience, further input comes from the former MD of Trans Maldivian Airways, which is the largest seaplane operator in the world, who also anticipates becoming an Ocean seaplane user for new business.
James Labouchere: Warrior (Aero-Marine) Ltd MD, Chief Designer: Marine and aeronautical designer, won Silk Cut Nautical Award for Technical Innovation and Royal Aeronautical Society’s Handley Page Award
Jim Coates BSc Aero Eng, BA Maths & Computing, MRAes: Business development manager, former director RAF aircraft engineering, KBR / Brown & Root on Public Finance initiatives as Project Director
Norman Wijker M.Sc Aerospace Vehicle Design: Chief designer of C class catamaran racing team. Extensive aircraft design, integration and structures, consultancy for Airbus Future Projects
Phil Aiken: Marketing & business development across aviation, automotive and marine industries
Mike Humphreys: Business developer with aircraft systems, special operations and aircraft sales background
Darryl Scriven: Former chief designer at McLaren with Williams background, design and simulation
Alan Latham: Aviation-experienced former PWC partner, mentor, facilitator (with Michael Samuel, aircraft manufacturing)
Ed Alsford: Former successful MD of Trans Maldivian Airways, the world’s largest seaplane operation
Recruitment
Ocean welcomes all approaches in expanding capabilities for on-going development and commercialisation.