# Strat Aero plc Head of UAV Training Division Appointed

- Link: https://www.directorstalkinterviews.com/strat-aero-plc-head-uav-training-division-appointed/412725172
- Published: 2017-03-09T07:28:03+00:00
- Author: Giles Arbor

**Strat Aero plc** (LON:AERO), an international aerospace company focused on the
rapidly emerging Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (“UAV”) sector, announced the appointment
of Mark Wharry to the Company as Director of Commercial UAS Training & Education.
Mr Wharry joins Strat Aero after nearly 15 years in the Royal Air Force, during 
which time he became the UK Armed Forces’ most highly-qualified unmanned aircraft
instructor.

Mr Wharry is an extremely experienced flying instructor, having originally graduated
from the RAF’s Central Flying School in 2005 and specialised in instructional roles
throughout his career. While in the RAF, he flew Tornado GR4 fast jets in numerous
locations around the world, including on combat missions in Afghanistan. For his
last tours in the RAF, he volunteered to fly Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems, 
and converted to the MQ-9 Reaper RPAS alongside the USAF in New Mexico, USA. After
his time in the US he was posted to the UK as the RAF’s Officer Commanding Standards
and Evaluation for the UK Reaper Force and latterly as the RAF’s Officer commanding
UK Reaper Training.

Mr Wharry was the Central Flying School’s first ever “A” grade Qualified Pilot Instructor
on an unmanned aircraft, and designed and managed the training for new RAF pilots
converting to RPAS. As the Force’s most senior instructor, he had responsibility
for checking and assessing all pilot instructors on the Force, as well as standardising
each front-line squadron on an annual basis.

Mr Wharry ‘s appointment reflects the Company’s commitment to rolling out its commercial
UAV pilot training programmes both in the UK and globally in partnership with leading
educational establishments such as the Limkokwing University of Creative Technology(‘
LKW’), a leading international technology university.

> **Ian McLure, CEO of Strat Aero plc, said** “Mark’s experience and expertise in
> the field will prove vital to the Company as he heads up our training division,
> manages the Company’s UK National Qualified Entity activities, and delivers Strat
> Aero’s ongoing and expanding training activities in Asia. Mark has extensive experience
> in training design, syllabus management, instructing and examining in the aviation
> world. In the UAV sector, his instructional expertise is unparalleled, and he 
> has worked with numerous aviation training companies and governments in syllabus
> planning, instructor training and course design. In our view being able to attract
> an individual with the relevant expertise and pedigree of Mark is testament to
> the strength of our UAV training offering, and we are focused on capitalising 
> on this to establish Strat as the premium provider of commercial UAV pilot education
> and qualification globally.”

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