An interview with Roger Cansdale CEng FRAeS… a career in helicopter development at the RAE

Helicopter man Roger Cansdale CEng FRAeS reflects on a remarkable four-decade career in aerospace and weapons development with the Royal Aircraft Establishment (RAE) and QinetiQ. From helicopter programmes and advancing flight safety to contributing to cutting-edge weapons systems, Roger shares his insights on the innovations, challenges, and his lasting impact on UK aviation and defence.
After graduating from the University of Bristol in 1964, Roger began his distinguished career at Farnborough, first with the RAE and later as part of QinetiQ. He started in the Structures Department’s Dynamics Division before moving, ten years later, to the Airworthiness Division, where he played a leading role in ensuring the structural integrity and flight safety of UK military helicopters.
Roger’s helicopter work included providing expert guidance on the Westland Lynx and first-hand involvement in developing the BERP rotor (British Experimental Rotor Programme). He describes problem-solving as one of the most satisfying aspects of his career and highlights the strong partnerships he built with Westland. He also involved in assessing the safety of historic Army helicopters, where his careful judgement contributed to the Civil Aviation Authority’s decision to withdraw the Skeeter’s permit to fly.
Later in his career, after a brief period in the RAE’s Management Support Unit, Roger broadened his expertise to weapons systems, including work on the Matra-BAE Storm Shadow programme.
Looking back, Roger fondly recalls a memorable anecdote from his student years: a summer spent in the United States working with actor Buster Crabbe, famous for his roles as Flash Gordon, Buck Rogers, and Tarzan.
Roger’s achievements have been recognised with numerous awards. He received the N E Rowe Medal from the Royal Aeronautical Society (RAeS) for a paper written while at university. Later, he was honoured with the RAeS Bronze Medal for outstanding contributions to flight safety, following a nomination by Westland, and the prestigious Wakefield Gold Medal.

Roger Cansdale CEng FRAeS was interviewed by Dr Kit Mitchell FRAeS as part of the Royal Aeronautical Society/National Aerospace Library’s oral history project  ‘If I only didn’t do it that way…….” Capturing history from the horse’s mouth to inspire today’s aeronautical professionals. The recording was edited by Eur Ing Mike Stanberry FRAeS.

A transcript of the interview recording is available on the National Aerospace Library catalogue: Roger Cansdale oral history interview | National Aerospace Library