Miles Aviation and Transport
Miles Aviation and Transport of Shoreham; later of Ford Aerodrome, near Chichester, Sussex
c.1963 (presumably after he left Beagle Aircraft) George H. Miles founded the company
1966 Planned to build an amphibious car, designed by Charles Vinten[1]
1966 Carried out a feasibility study for the Ministry of Aviation of a scheme proposed by Michael Bird for a rail-air link between London and Paris using a transferable module which would allow the passengers to stay in the same seats throughout the journey, on both monorail and in the aircraft; considerable saving of time for the journey was expected[2]
1968 Miles Aviation and Transport (R&D) Ltd, of Ford Aerodrome, Sussex, which had been working in association with AiResearch under contract to North American Rockwell, obtained a Certificate of Airworthiness for the Turbo Commander 680T. This was the first light-twin turboprop business transport actually to receive a public-transport certificate. The work involved design changes in the airframe, systems, cockpit layout, and other features, and the incorporation of modifications. Flight testing was carried out, and supplements to the flight manual and maintenance manual produced to meet the requirements of the Air Registration Board[3].
1969 Wg Cdr Brian Iles was appointed chief test pilot of Miles Aviation and Transport (R & D) Ltd. The company was increasingly involved in development flying of light transport aircraft[4].
1970 After the demise of Beagle, George Miles, as chairman of Miles Aviation and Transport Ltd, of Ford Aerodrome, Sussex, bid for the Shoreham part of the Beagle business, which had orders for 58 Bulldogs[5].