From King’s to Cockpits: OV Jim Fawcett Inspires Future Linguists and Engineers

Our many thanks to OV Jim Fawcett (Br 85-94 and Old St Alban’s) who, on a brief visit to the UK from his home in France, returned to King’s to speak with some Fifth and Sixth Form linguists during their lessons, and hold a Careers Lunch to speak with other budding linguists and engineers.

Jim has had an exceptional career to date, having started a job with Airbus the week after completing his A-levels. Based in France, where he has now lived for a number of years, Jim is currently a Flight Test Engineer for Airbus and is a Fellow of the Society of Flight Test Engineers (SFTE). Since 2012, Jim has been a development Lead Flight Test Engineer (LFTE) specialising in flight management systems, communications (voice and datalink), cockpit design, display systems, and radio navigation. Jim is qualified to operate as LFTE on all Airbus aircraft types and has logged over 3300 hours on test flights. In addition to this, Jim is also a UK Chartered Engineer, fluent in English and French, with professional knowledge of German, and holds a private pilot’s license. Jim is also a member of the Royal Aeronautical Society.

On his visit to King’s, Jim began with a walk around the site, visiting some of his former classrooms, especially delighted to note that the Chemistry and Physics labs, though changed in layout, smelled the same! In the Science Block, Jim met with Dr Mark Poole (Hon OV) who remembered teaching him, and also Alison Gamble (Hon OV) with whom Jim had a great chat about the King’s CCF offering today (Jim had been in the RAF section, as is Alison), and then Head of Physics, Adam Knights (Hon OV) who had not only a love for Physics in common with Jim, but also the RAF CCF and flying!

In the Wolfson Building, Jim shared stories of his time being taught by Peter Baseley (Hon OV), with DT Technician Julie Palmer (Hon OV) who had also worked with Peter.

An important stop was the John Moore Theatre, where Jim has sponsored a Theatre Seat, recognised on the sponsorship board in the foyer. A brief hunt ensued to find the seat itself, annotated with a plaque with Jim’s name on it.

Focus then shifted to present day, as Jim met with French teacher Ed Houghton (Hon OV) and Ed’s Upper Sixth French A-level class. This was followed by meeting with Ed’s L6 A-level French group. In both, flowing conversation in French ensued, as Jim spent time explaining the benefits and application of having an additional language, and how speaking French opened many doors for him. They were also joined by the new Head of MFL, Alex Young.

Rachel Rutter’s (Hon OV) Fifth Form Germanists then welcomed Jim to their lesson, where Jim was faced with a lot of questions about both learning and using German in the ‘real world’.

During a brief respite, Jim presented the Alumni team with his old King’s St Alban’s jumper for the Archives: one of the very few to have Cricket colours!

Lunch in the Weston Room in the new Sixth Form Centre, School House, saw pupils from Fifth Form to Upper Sixth join Jim, with whom he shared his career story to date. Those attending included linguists, future engineers, and future pilots, all keen to hear Jim’s advice drawn from his own experiences.

Following lunch, Jim went to see his former English teacher, Richard Davis (Hon OV) for a long overdue catch-up. He also had opportunity to reminisce with King’s Director of Operations and former classmate, OV Adam Winter (Cl 84-94 and Old St Alban’s), as well as meet the new Head of Foundation, Ben Charles. Jim and Ben found a shared a connection, the two of them having been present at the concert in the Royal Albert Hall for the 450th anniversary of the foundation of the King’s Schools.

Jim’s recollection of his time at School and especially the teachers was incredibly vivid. Of note were Frank Loveder, who had also introduced Jim to Hillwalking and remained a close friend for many years until Frank’s passing. Also, Bob Stone (Hon OV), who had been Jim’s Housemaster in Bright House.

The support Jim himself offered the pupils on his visit was greatly appreciated, giving them very helpful direction for their potential future careers.