Mark Dransfield

Founding Partner, Sim Ops

Mr. Dransfield, co-founder of Sim-Ops and independent Flight Simulation Training Device (FSTD) regulatory consultant, based out of the UK, specialising in the evaluation and qualification of FSTDs in accordance with the latest regulatory frameworks around the world. As such he is involved in various industry rule-making activities within the regulatory agencies concerned with flight crew training, including EASA with whom he is registered as an independent FSTD subject matter expert.

Previously as Director, Regulatory Affairs for TRU Simulation + Training in March 2016 following the acquisition by Textron of the ETOPS group of companies that acquired in October 2013 as CEO and group managing director responsible for its activities in FSTD customer support, qualification and validation services as well as running ETOPS European and Malaysian TRTO for A320, B737 and ATR aircraft types.

Prior to running ETOPS Mr. Dransfield held various engineering and senior management positions at Rediffusion, Hughes Rediffusion, Thomson & Thales Training & Simulation, all based in UK, and Mechtronix (now TRU Simulation + Training) where he covered most aspects of commercial flight simulator engineering, production, evaluation, qualification, customer support and strategic business development.

In addition, Mark spent 3 years as a regulator as UK CAA Simulator Standards Manager responsible for managing the regulatory oversight of all FSTD Qualifications within the UK, and on behalf of the JAA.

In 2018 he was awarded the Halldale CAT magazine Aviation Pioneer award and in 2019 the ARINC FSEMC Edwin A. Link Award for his vision and services to the flight simulation industry.

Mark is a registered Chartered Engineer, Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society and past Chairman of the RAeS Flight Simulation Group Committee for 2011–2013. As part of his work for the RAeS he has also co-chaired the International Working Group responsible for the update of the current ICAO 9625 Edition 3 Manual of Criteria for the Qualification of FSTDs.

Mr. Dransfield holds a BSc (Hons) degree in Aeronautical Engineering from Queen Mary College, London University, United Kingdom.