Colin Torkington interviewed by Rob Linn for the E.A. Crome aviation oral history project [sound recording]
- Bib ID:
- 3118352
- Format:
- Audio
- Author:
- Torkington, Colin, 1936-, interviewee
- Online Version:
- National Library of Australia digitised item
- Access Conditions:
- Access open for research, personal copies and public use.
- Description:
-
- 2004
- 2 digital audio tapes (74 min.)
- Series:
- E.A. Crome aviation oral history project.
- Summary:
-
Colin Torkington, aeronautical engineer (retired), born in Yorkshire, UK, talks about his early life and work history; attending the College of Aeronautics at Cranfield; being recruited to work at Aeronautical Research Laboratories, Department of Supply in Melbourne and moving to Australia in 1961; his work on Mustang wings and testing; the move to Department of Civil Aviation (DCA) as Airworthiness Engineer; his research into the Viscount accidents and the Fokker Friendship investigation; safety factors of aircraft in the 1960s in comparison to the early 2000s; in 1982 moving to Canberra and taking up another position in DCA; in 1994 moving to Canada as Australian representative on the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO),holding this position for 5 years; the review of ICAO and its work; his retirement in 2000; he discusses the impact of the Second World War on aviation; he elaborates on his decision to come to Australia on a 3 year contract; he describes the laboratory at Fisherman's Bend, Vic.; the work at DCA and the emphasis on defect reporting, this reporting has pushed Australia to the forefront of aviation; the international exchange of information.
Torkington discusses the Airworthiness section at DCA and those involved; how Aviation safety was the core of their work; the cooperation with RAAF and Navy staff and the value of discussions in sorting out aircraft problems; the role of DCA in establishing fatigue specifications; the shift of DCA to Canberra and the building of new laboratories; how after 10 years there was a bout of cost cutting and its effects; he talks further about the variety of work at the ICAO and his role as Commissioner; the accumulation of world knowledge about aircraft and aviation and the role of ICAO making aviation safer; his time in Washington and speaking with FAA; working with North American National Research Council investigating aviation safety; his memories of people he worked with; the fact that DCA was a prestige Department before being moved to the Dept. of Transport; how in the 1990s when he was in Canada the research laboratory was closed; he talks about its loss and its worth to staff and the nation; the pivotal moments in his working life and accident investigation
- Notes:
-
- Recorded on May. 19, 2004 at Latham, A.C.T.
- Also available online http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-218647658
- Index/Finding Aid Note:
- Timed summary and corrected transcript (typescript, 38 leaves).
- Subject:
- Occupation:
- Engineers
- Other authors/contributors:
- Linn, Rob, interviewer
- Related Records:
-
This belongs to the E.A. Crome aviation oral history project.
This collection contains 12 records. - Copyright:
-
In Copyright
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- Reason for copyright status:
- Until 2074 [Created/Published Date + 70 Years]
Copyright status was determined using the following information:
- Material type:
- Sound Recording
- Published status:
- Unpublished
- Creation date:
- 2004
Copyright status may not be correct if data in the record is incomplete or inaccurate. Other access conditions may also apply. For more information please see: Copyright in library collections.
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