Bob McKinlay (engineer)
Robert Murray McKinlay | |
|---|---|
| Born | January 12, 1934 Scotland |
| Occupation(s) | Entrepreneur, aerospace executive |
| Known for | Former CEO of British Aerospace, Concorde systems development manager |
Robert Murray McKinlay CBE FREng FRAeS (born 12 January 1934) is a Scottish entrepreneur and former chief executive officer of British Aerospace.
Early life
Born to Robert Graham McKinlay and Mary Murray, he received his education in West Dunbartonshire before pursuing studies at the Royal College of Science and Technology located in Glasgow.
BAC
McKinlay began his career at the British Aircraft Corporation in 1966, advancing to the role of Concorde's systems development manager and assistant chief engineer by 1968. He was responsible for overseeing the digital control mechanism of Concorde’s air intake system, which was essential for the operation of the Olympus 593 engine. Since RAF Fairford was unsuitable for testing at high altitudes, trials were conducted at Tangier Ibn Battouta Airport. Concorde was groundbreaking as the inaugural aircraft to feature digitally controlled air intake.
Starting in 1976, McKinlay took on the position of Design Director for Concorde, where he coordinated airport operational integration and spearheaded initiatives aimed at minimizing engine noise, thereby improving the aircraft’s commercial appeal.
British Aerospace
At British Aerospace, headquartered at Bristol Filton Airport, McKinlay remained until 1994, ascending to Managing Director of the civil aircraft division in April 1990. During that year, British Aerospace revealed intentions to develop a successor to Concorde. The division's leadership included Syd Gillibrand as chairman and John Weston overseeing military aircraft operations. In December 1991, a restructuring led to Mike Turner managing regional and corporate aircraft sectors. By February 1992, British Aerospace reorganized its civil aircraft division into three distinct units, including British Aerospace Regional Aircraft and British Aerospace Corporate Jets.
McKinlay featured in the 2005 PBS documentary Supersonic Dream. British Aerospace withdrew from the commercial aircraft sector in 2001.
Personal life
In 1957, McKinlay married Ellen Stewart; the couple has two sons. He was honoured with a CBE in the 1993 Birthday Honours, elected as a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering in 1992, and awarded the British Gold Medal by the Royal Aeronautical Society in 1995.