It is with great sadness that the Directors of ARPAS-UK would like to inform the membership of the death of Gavin Wishart, our previous Chairman (2018-20).

He was a graduate of Edinburgh, Loughborough and Kings College Universities in Engineering and Defence Studies. He was an Engineering Officer, serving 26 years with the RAF, retiring as a Group Captain. He went on to work for Qinetiq, and founded his own businesses, including Aviation Systems Group Ltd. It was through ASG that he came across ARPAS-UK, joined and went on to stand for election to Chairman in the great snowy AGM of March 2018. He remained Chairman until December 2020 when ill health forced him to step down.

As Chairman he championed the UK drone industry and in particular the ARPAS-UK Membership in discussions with stakeholders at all levels. He engaged with people at trade shows, as well as the media, always prepared to talk, be positive about the drone industry and negotiate on the industry’s behalf. He continued to engage and interact with the aviation and drone communities until very shortly before his death.

Gavin always had a smile on his face, enjoyed building his own projects, was interested in all he undertook and was a great person to work with and for.

Gavin died peacefully, surrounded by his family. Our thoughts go out to Joanna, his wife, and their three children.

Gavin Wishart 1958-2021