Timothy Bleakley Engineering Supervisor, Airspace Technology & Standards General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc.

Timothy Bleakley is an Engineering Supervisor for Airspace Technology and Standards at General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI). Tim and his small team are focused on all aspects of enabling remotely piloted aircraft to fly in the National Airspace System, for military, government and commercial purposes. The work involves engagement with research institutions, standards development organizations, national and international aviation regulators and industry groups. 

Tim joined GA-ASI in 2013 as a Lead Structures Engineer to develop a certifiable variant of the Predator B, which first flew in late 2016 and is now known as SkyGuardian. Going on to lead Systems Engineering, then acting as Product Support for SkyGuardian, Tim’s career within GA-ASI has been both multifaceted and varied; a particular highlight was introducing the aircraft he himself helped design to his former RAF colleagues at RAF Waddington in Summer 2020. 

Prior to joining GA-ASI, Tim served 16 years as an Engineer Officer in the Royal Air Force, supporting fast jet combat aircraft and UAS in UK military operations. 

Tim holds Masters’ degrees in Engineering from the University of Cambridge and in Aerospace Vehicle Design from Cranfield University in the UK.