5 BFTS Association Newsletter No. 33 - New Year 2026

This time last year, I wrote that the New Year bought the UK very cold weather (down to -5C or 23F here but colder in other parts of the UK). The same thing has happened this year – our lowest in the UK West Midlands was -6C overnight but it was -12C in other places. This is such a contrast to the weather the cadets found in Florida. My father arrived in October 1941 and spent Christmas at Fort Myers Beach where he wrote that the temperature reached 95F (35C). Groups of cadets went to Miami Beach at weekends to enjoy the sun and sand and the swimming pool was essential at Riddle Field. But it wasn’t all fun – Florida thunderstorms were a regular feature, and the Florida fog could be notorious. Both these weather features caused airplanes to crash and sadly, on a few occasions, cadets were killed as a result. Chandler Mock, a student at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU), is writing short biographies for the cadets who lie at Oak Ridge Cemetery, Arcadia, and these are being added to the 5BFTS digital archive hosted by ERAU so that their names live on. These are just some of the stories, documents and photographs that are being preserved for future generations. People are asking what their grandfathers/great-grandfathers/great-uncles, did during WW2. Thanks to this archive, if they became a pilot at 5BFTS, their descendants will be able to find out! On January 1, 1943, the New Year Editorial in Flypaper said, “And what of 1943? Its history has yet to be written, but this we know, that each one of us will play his or her part in the writing of that history. Let us approach the coming year with our sleeves rolled up and with our heads and hearts held high. For a New Year’s resolution, let us take: In victories we shall not become too confident: in defeats we shall not be disheartened: in work we shall be faithful, that the final Victory shall be ours”. And it was! And what of 2026? Its history has yet to be written, but each one of us will be playing our part in that making that history whatever it turns out to be. With best wishes to everyone for a Happy and Peaceful New Year

Jerry Davis, Participant

Jerry Davis is a seasoned cybersecurity leader with extensive experience as a five-time senior executive-level CISO/CSO and a former CIO. He currently serves as a Senior Executive Advisor at Microsoft and was previously the Senior Vice President of Cyber Operations and Technology at Truist Bank. Appointed by the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Jerry served as an advisor and board member on the Cyber Safety Review Board (CSRB) within CISA. He also contributed to the 2023 publication Securing the Nation’s Critical Infrastructure: A Guide for the 2021-2025 Administration, authoring a chapter on cybersecurity challenges and opportunities in space, air, and ground transportation. Additionally, he is a fellow at the Institute for Critical Infrastructure Technology, a nonpartisan think tank in Washington, D.C. Jerry’s previous roles include Vice President and CISO at PG&E, founder of Gryphon X, LLC, and the first Vice President and Global CSO for a Silicon Valley semiconductor equipment manufacturer. He also held key government positions, serving as CIO of NASA Ames Research Center, NASA’s Global CISO, CISO for the U.S. Department of Education, and Deputy Assistant Secretary for Cybersecurity and Privacy (CISO) at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.https://commons.erau.edu/avcysecworkshop-bios-2025/1011/thumbnail.jp

Dan Diessner, Participant

Dan Diessner joined Embry‑Riddle Aeronautical University in late 2020, where he is currently the Executive Director for the Center for Aerospace Resilient Systems, which is the Embry‑Riddle wide research center focused on aerospace cybersecurity.  Dan also serves the aviation community as a member of several organization and advisory boards, including: UN International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO): Secretary General appointed Technical Advisor to the ICAO Trust Framework Panel (TFP), and TFP leadership team member; FAA Research Engineering & Development Advisory Committee (REDAC) – Subcommittee on Aircraft Safety (SAS): Advisory committee member for Aircraft Cybersecurity and Aircraft Systems; Cyber Safety Commercial Aviation Team (CSCAT): Leadership team member, (formerly the founding Chairperson); Aerospace Industries Association (AIA) Civil Aviation Cybersecurity Subcommittee: Invited observing member, (formerly the founding Chairperson); Member of the Aviation Cybersecurity Initiative (ACI) N-Factor Industry Advisory Board on Research, Development, Test and Evaluation (RDT&E) Initiatives. Prior to joining Embry‑Riddle, Dan worked at The Boeing Company for over 34 years leading innovation in airplane systems, product cybersecurity, network systems, and mission communications & data systems, with a career focused on the implementation of new technology & product development for both commercial and military transport aircraft.  Two capstone positions Dan held prior to retiring from The Boeing Company included: Chief Engineer for Airplane Systems Product Development & New Technologies for Boeing Commercial Airplanes (BCA), and Senior Manager of the BCA Product Cybersecurity and Airplane Software Integration organization.  During this time, he was committed to the global community in many areas including as an ICCAIA Security Committee member and leadership team member of the ICAO Trust Framework Study Group as well as an early member of the ICAO Secretariate Study Group Cybersecurity. Dan was a founding member and Chairperson of the AIA Civil Aviation Cybersecurity Subcommittee, a founding member and Chairperson of the Cyber Safety Commercial Aviation Team, and a member of the Board of Directors (BoD) of the Aviation ISAC.https://commons.erau.edu/avcysecworkshop-bios-2025/1013/thumbnail.jp

Dr. Jennah Perry, Participant

Jennah Perry is an Associate Professor of Air Traffic Management in the College of Aviation at ERAU. Professor Perry currently holds a Ph. D. in Educational Leadership, a M.A.S degree in Aeronautical Science with specializations in Human Factors in Aviation Systems and Education Technology, and a B.S. in Air Traffic Management. Additionally, she holds a Private Pilot Certificate as well as an Instrument Rating. Prior to her career with ERAU, Professor Perry spent 8 years working for Lockheed Martin Corporation as a certified Air Traffic Control Specialist where she earned FAA Certificates of Authority for Pilot Weather Briefing and En-Route Flight Advisory Services, after becoming a Full Performance Level Air Traffic Control Specialist and certified Training Instructor. In 2013 Professor Perry began her career with Embry‑Riddle, and in her eleven-year tenure with the College of Aviation, Professor Perry has served as an Associate Professor, Chair of the Air Traffic Management Program, Department Chair of Applied Aviation Sciences and most recently as the Interim Dean of the College of Aviation. In recent years, Professor Perry’s research areas have included aviation stress management, unmanned traffic management, UAS, flight training, teaching, and learning.https://commons.erau.edu/avcysecworkshop-bios-2025/1040/thumbnail.jp

1967 5BFTS First Reunion Dinner. October 14. Tony Linfield

The First Reunion Dinner for RAF pilots who had trained at 5BFTS during WW2 was held on October 14, 1967, at the Royal Aero Club, London. This image is annotated “Tony Linfield recalls”. Tony Linfield who was on Course 18 was the secretary.https://commons.erau.edu/bfts-1967-dinner-images/1004/thumbnail.jp

1967 5BFTS First Reunion Dinner. October 14. John Cohen

The First Reunion Dinner for RAF pilots who had trained at 5BFTS during WW2 was held on October 14, 1967, at the Royal Aero Club, London. This image is annotated “John Cohen raffles”. John S Cohen was on Course 20.https://commons.erau.edu/bfts-1967-dinner-images/1011/thumbnail.jp

Nina Vajda, Participant

Nina Vajda is the Safety, Reliability and Cyber Security lead for Supernal’s aircraft platforms, which includes the development and presentation of Supernal’s certification documents to compliance regulators.  Nina has over 30 years of professional experience working for aviation OEMs and suppliers, including Bell Flight, where she was a Tech Fellow and Boeing Commercial Airplanes and Honeywell Aerospace where she was a Chief Engineer. Nina holds patents specific to identifying anomalous network activities due to a cyber-attack in avionics systems, and she has a patent pending for PKI and Key Management Systems to protect airborne data in transit. She is a member of the Board of Advisors at Emory Riddle Aeronautical University in Prescott, Arizona where she will finish a MS in Cyber Security after completing her thesis.https://commons.erau.edu/avcysecworkshop-bios-2025/1051/thumbnail.jp

Dr. Stefan Schwindt, Participant

Dr. Stefan Schwindt is a Senior Principal for Aerospace Cybersecurity at GE Aerospace, based in Cheltenham, United Kingdom. In this role, he supports organizational and product security strategies, ensuring that GE Aerospace’s businesses and product lines remain secure and resilient. With over 16 years of experience in the aerospace industry, Schwindt has worked on safety and reliability of systems, environmental testing, certification, and product security for both civil and military aviation. He holds a master’s in aerospace engineering, a doctorate in engineering science, and an executive MBA. Dr. Schwindt is actively involved in international aviation cybersecurity initiatives, serving as the Chair of the Civil Aviation Cybersecurity Subcommittee of the Aerospace Industries Association (AIA). He has played a key role in developing industry reports and recommendations, including those focused on secure software distribution and loading. Additionally, he contributes to RTCA Special Committee 216 and EUROCAE Working Group 72, shaping industry standards such as ED-201A. His work has been recognized with the RTCA Significant Contributor Award. Dr. Schwindt is a recognized leader in aerospace cybersecurity, receiving the 2024 Aerospace Cybersecurity Excellence (ACE) Leadership Award from Embry‑Riddle Aeronautical University. His global leadership in addressing cybersecurity threats in aviation and aerospace continues to influence industry standards and best practices. Beyond GE Aerospace, he is also the Director of Icarus Cybersecurity Consulting and Training, providing specialized expertise in cybersecurity for the aerospace sector.https://commons.erau.edu/avcysecworkshop-bios-2025/1048/thumbnail.jp

1967 5BFTS First Reunion Dinner. October 14. W/C George Greaves

The First Reunion Dinner for RAF pilots who had trained at 5BFTS during WW2 was held on October 14, 1967, at the Royal Aero Club, London. This image is annotated “W/C George Greaves speaks”. W/C George Greaves was the 5BFTS Commanding Officer from January 27, 1943, to November 10, 1943.https://commons.erau.edu/bfts-1967-dinner-images/1008/thumbnail.jp

1967 5BFTS First Reunion Dinner. Invitation (July 1967) from Tony Linfield to A R Mueller, an instructor at 5BFTS

The First Reunion Dinner for RAF pilots who had trained at 5BFTS during WW2 was held on October 14, 1967, at the Royal Aero Club, London. Letter from Tony Linfield to A R Mueller (ex-5BFTS instructor) dated July 19,1967, is inviting him to the Reunion