Rod Barker

Occupation:

Met.Office - Research

Current Residence:

Camberley, Surrey

DoB:

30th March 1942

Place of birth:

Wellington, Somerset

Career:

I worked as a civilian in avionics with the RAF for 10 years. I spent 3 years in Saudi Arabia on Lightning support. In 1988 I moved to the Met.Office as an Instruments Specialist.

How did you get involved in the project?

Along with Steve O'Donnell I went to a ThrustSSC presentation at DERA for the Farnborough Technical Society at the end of 1995. The rest is history.

Responsibilities in the UK:

Working with Steve we have installed the sensor/instruments wiring to the rear of the car and installed the wiring to front. We've also debugged and diagnosed sensor faults and have dealt with the calibration of the surface pressure sensors.

Responsibilities in the US:

I'll be there to give general instrument support.

Previous crazy ventures:

Well, I consider the three years I spent in Saudi pretty crazy!

Car:

Citroen BX19 GTi

Favourite Music:

Folk, Blues and Jazz.

What sort of books would you read if you had the time?

Travel

Hobbies:

Working on Thrust SSC, sailing and flying - I have a glider's licence.

What do you want to do when the project is over?

Aaahh!! Get back to work, sailing and relaxing.

What have you learned from this experience?

I've found out where my physical and mental limitations and I've also sharpened up my hands-on experience.