SKYDRIVE - The Company
Skydrive is the Distributor for ROTAX aircraft engines for the UK, Ireland and Iceland. Skydrive also manufacture accessories, the most popular of which are carburettor heaters for Rotax two and four stroke engines, and fuel pressure gauges and kits, designed for Rotax engines.
Over the years, due to increasing demand from aircraft manufacturers, homebuilders and owners, Skydrive have gradually expanded their product range and now supply many other items including engine and flight instruments, propellers, Lynx communication equipment, Shell lubricants and Draper tools.
Skydrive supply engines, spare parts and other accessories to most British Microlight Manufacturers and Aircraft Kit Suppliers. We are happy to supply direct to aircraft owners and offer a rapid mail order service. We accept most credit cards, Mastercard, Visa, Switch, Solo, and will take orders by ‘phone, fax or e-mail. Callers are welcome, but as we are a distribution centre, not a retail shop, please telephone to arrange a time, so that we can give you our full attention.
SKYDRIVE - The People
Skydrive is a family business, headed by Nigel Beale. Nigel has a BSc. Degree in Mechanical Engineering, and a Masters Degree in Automotive Engineering. His passion for engines grew during his early career years as a Research Engineer at Cranfield University, working on engine combustion and exhaust pollution. His hobby at this time was hovercraft racing, and driving craft of his own design, he won more than a dozen National and European championships, a record unequalled by anyone else. He made the first ever solo hovercraft crossing of the English Channel in 1972, again in a craft of his own design. Although Nigel has concentrated more on aircraft in recent years, his son Conrad carries on the tradition, winning the Gold Medal in the 2002 Formula One World Hovercraft Championships, powered by Rotax, of course!
Another hobby of Nigel’s was developing fuel-efficient vehicles, and he twice won the Shell Motor Mileage Marathon. The first attempt with Nigel driving recorded the first ever fuel consumption of over 1000 mpg in a National Competition. The second win, a few years later, with Conrad driving, recorded over 1300 mpg.
In 1981 Nigel’s company Cyclone Hovercraft started a business relationship with Rotax originally for the supply of hovercraft engines. The relationship continues today, but under the Skydrive banner, a change of company to reflect better the change of emphasis to aircraft.
Nigel learned to fly microlights in 1984, shortly after Rotax took the plunge into the Microlight engine market. He was soon designing and building his own weightshift trike, powered by a Rotax 277 engine. He flew this aircraft in the 1986 European Championships and took the Silver Medal. Nigel has been a member of the British Team ever since, and has flown in all 4 classes (Single & 2-seat, weight shift and fixed wing), winning 6 silver and one bronze medal in 3 of the 4 classes. In recent years, Nigel’s daughter, Mikaela Hurtubise, has flown with him as co-pilot.
Nigel has built several Kit aircraft, and modified a number of others to accept Rotax engines. He holds a group ‘A’ light aircraft licence, currently flying a collection of aircraft ranging from the 277 trike (still flying!) to a 914 Turbo powered ARV Super 2.
Mikaela Hurtubise, Nigel’s daughter, is the General Manager of Skydrive. She deals with pretty well everything commercial single handedly – buying, selling, imports, exports, VAT, Corporation Tax, advertising, website, you name it! She’s also a pretty dab hand at technical enquiries. Mickey has done a bit of hovercraft racing, has held a microlight pilots licence (flies flexwing & 3 axis) and also finds time to go horse riding and skiing in the winter. Together with husband Mark (and children Max & Lois) she is currently renovating a derelict farmhouse, a job that will take years!
Mark Hurtubise met Mickey through hovercraft racing, in which he has also had success both nationally and internationally. Mark has also held a microlight licence, but doesn’t get much time to fly now due to his family commitments and the farmhouse! He is the engine preparation and warehouse manager at Skydrive.
Pat Beale, Nigel’s wife, is Company Secretary. As well as a busy life running the home, a field full of horses, and a couple of dogs, she finds time to do some of the bookkeeping for Skydrive.
Lyn Watmore is Pat’s sister. She deals with most of the spare parts orders, and will probably be the one who answers your ‘phone calls. Compared with the rest of us Lyn is pretty normal, with interests such as decorating and gardening!
Biba Herridge is Mikaela's PA, she moved to the area over 2 years ago and has been working for Skydive since November 2006, she deals with the bookkeeping, catalogue, adverts and sometimes answers the telephone to take your orders.
Conrad Beale is Nigel's son, he has his own company near Banbury (Conair Sports, a Rotax Service Centre) and deals with all the Rotax technical enquiries for Skydrive.
Louise Beale is Conrad's wife, she works for Skydrive one morning a week and deals with the Service Bulletins.
Ben Brough is Nigel's Son-In-Law. He does not actually work at Skydrive, but spends a lot of his free time helping to maintain our computer system. He has helped us to install our computer network, organised an efficient backup system and sorted out our broadband connections. He is also always on the end of a telephone when things CRASH!! Ben says his hobbies are eating, drinking and restoring Landrovers, but we think his biggest hobby is computers. |
