Duncan Simpson

Duncan Menzies Soutar Simpson (23 December 1927 - 5 December 2017) was a Scottish test pilot who played a key role in the development of the Hunter aircraft, the Harrier, and the Hawk advanced trainer flown by the RAF’s Red Arrows. He was the former chief test pilot of Hawker Siddeley in the 1970s. he was the first to fly the two-seat Harrier XW174; six weeks later on 4 June 1969 in this aircraft, he was forced to eject at low level (100 ft), over Larkhill in Wiltshire, when the engine failed at 3,000 ft. On ejection from the aircraft he broke his neck; he needed a bone graft, and surgeons had to operate via his throat. He returned to flying nine months later, and received the Queen's Commendation for Valuable Service in the Air in the 1969 Birthday Honours. After this incident, all Hawker aircraft were fitted with canopy severance cord to shatter the canopy before ejection occurred.

He became deputy chief test pilot in 1969. He became chief test pilot in 1970. He was the first to fly the Hawk HS1182 prototype (XX154) at around 7pm on 21 August 1974, and reached 20,000 ft in a 53-minute flight. The Hawk entered service with the RAF in November 1976.

Hawk XX154 - the first example to fly, in August 1974 at Dunsfold Aerodrome. Seen here at RIAT in July 2015

Personal life He married in June 1958 and had two sons, and a daughter. They lived in Guildford, Surrey.

He received an award in 2011 from the Honourable Company of Air Pilots. He received the OBE in the 1973 Birthday Honours. He became a Fellow of the Society of Experimental Test Pilots. He died aged 89 in December 2017.