About Us

NUNCATS was founded (officially) in July 2019, but the concept was first seeded when the founders were a pair of bright young things at university. While the problem of rural access and infrastructure (or lack thereof) was already well understood, the climate emergency hadn't quite made its mark and the technology was still in its infancy to make our solution a reality. Fast forward 15 years, the time was right and NUNCATS was formally incorporated as a non-profit, social enterprise.

Tim Bridge

Founder & Technical Director

I'm the resident, full-time technical guru at NUNCATS and am most likely to be found designing and building something, and have been doing so since I was a tot. It all started innocently enough with an Airfix kit, which sparked an eclectic and varied career with one thing in common - engineering.

My working life started out with a stint at CrossAir in Basel, working on jet engines and from there went on to roles in the Oil & Gas industry, Renewable Energy sector and Research & Development.

I've had the privilege to live and work in over 35 countries which, from a young age, exposed me to the vast inequality that exists in the world. Meanwhile, a degree in Meteorology & Oceanography brought into stark focus the impact we humans have had on our planet. What we can do, we must do, so that's what I'm doing.

Helen Bridge

Co-Founder

I'm the master of all the non-technical roles that NUNCATS requires. Be that strategising, fundraising, proof-reading, ordering merchandise or making the tea and supplying the biscuits.

And because I'm clearly not busy enough with all that, by day I'm a Corporate Social Responsibility Manager for a global financial services organisation, as well as a Trustee for an international children's charity, supporting young people displaced by poverty, violence and abuse across the world.

I have a degree in International Development, Spanish, and Arabic. I bring 15 years of private sector experience in strategic programme delivery, corporate partnerships, and expertise in implementing impact-led resilience programmes.

I grew up in Central America, where I saw first hand how peoples lives are impacted by the fragility of basic infrastructure, where roads are washed away during the rainy season, cut off by rockfalls or where access is at the discretion of roving bandits. And don't get me started on the climate crisis...

Alan Rampling

Non-Exec Director

My previous career of 27 years was in the RAF as an aircraft engineer which was an enjoyable and varied career. During this time, challenges included many training and development roles.

I enjoy developing courseware and training that could be delivered to students of all abilities increasing their knowledge and confidence in all aspects of their lives.

After leaving RAF I worked in the Higher Education sector, where I studied and completed a Master’s Degree in Further and Higher education.

My next position was to aid the setting up of a Military Academy in Oman, which trained students to Degree level whilst completing their EASA modules. In this role I headed up a team tasked with researching and purchasing new equipment and training aides to support the development of students practical skills and subject knowledge.

On return to UK I worked for an engineering company who make complex aircraft and skill of hand trainers, gaining a greater understanding of how to map tasks to competencies and recognise what makes an exceptional training aid.

During my recent time at the aviation academy in Norwich I was introduced to Tim and Helen and the Skyjeep project. Assisting them to set up a summer school has been a highlight in my career. My ambition is to assist NUNCATS to develop a training programme that can be replicated around the world, providing the spark for young people to come into aviation. Whilst building sustainable aircraft that can make a real difference to people and the environment.

Alex Durand

Non-Exec Director

CEO at SaxonAir since 2013 and member of the British Chambers of Commerce Expert Transport Panel, I've developed the Klyne Aviation Group of businesses based at Norwich Airport. An Honours graduate of Birmingham University, I have a Diploma in Management Studies from Oxford Brookes University and am an alumnus of the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses programme. I'm also Vice Chairman of the British Business & General Aviation Association (BBGA). Additionally, through SaxonAir, I promote nominated local charities such as Little Lifts, The Big C and the East Anglian Air Ambulance.

I am a member of the Transport and Infrastructure Board at the Norfolk Chambers of Commerce. With over 25 years’ experience in aviation, taking an industry lead in driving sustainability in business aviation. This has included SaxonAir’s ‘Clearing the Air’ event which highlighted and debunked misconceptions surrounding aviation, alongside working to pioneer green aviation from their base at Norwich Airport.

What's in a name

What does NUNCATS mean? We get asked this all the time.

It is in part a design philosophy and part description of what we're doing. If you remember one thing about our name, make it the first half: N - U - N.

No Unnecessary Novelty

It is our guiding principle and drives us to create the simplest possible solutions to solve the problems, because keeping things simple and reliable also keeps things affordable.

The second half is a little more ambiguous, and has a habit of slightly changing every time we tell the story! But in principle, C - A - T - S stands for:

Community Air Transport Services