Name/Title
Floyd, James "Jim" CharlesEntry/Object ID
8321Description
Born 20 October 1914, started with A.V. Roe in the UK working a design engineer on the Anson, Manchester, Lancaster, York, Lincoln and Tudor projects. Hired in 1945 as Chief Project Engineer - worked at the Yeadon Plant for A.V. Roe & Co. Ltd. Joined Avro Canada in 1946 and worked on the Jetliner as a co-designer, Canuck and Arrow as Chief Designer and Engineer. Flew as one of the few passengers on the Jetliner. Becomes Chief Engineer in 1952, prior titles include Works Manager & Chief Design Engineer. As VP Engineering, Jim received multiple reports on the Arrow and attended conferences where he discussed challenges with it as early as 1954. Listed on an Avro Aircraft Limited org chart as being on the Board of Directors Nov/1954. In 1956, wrote letter discussing some design issues for the Mark6 Version of the CF-100. Discusses coleopter Target Drone Aircraft 1955. Named councillor of CAI - 1956.
In 1957, he wrote Letter to Nova Scotia Technical College asking if they had use for used Derwent Engines from the Jetliner. In 1958, he stated that M2.6 was being considered for the Mk 3 Arrow. An interesting note of trivia is that his car license plate was 100.105.
He resigned from Avro Canada in 1959 and went off to Hawker Siddeley UK and became the overall head of their Advanced Projects Group in 1960. Was quite involved with the development of what became the Concorde, Jim started his own consulting company in 1962, and worked as a consultant from 1965-1972.
After returning to Canada from the UK, he searched for for the powerboat he gave up after Arrow canceled but no indication he was successful.
The museum's collection includes copies of several letters and notes from Jim including commentaries on the new children's book "Made in Canada" 2001, commentaries on the CBC Documentary Film "The Arrow" 2001. Interviewed in documentary film "Too Good to be True" 1993 and spoke multiple Avro celebration events including the Avro Arrow Reunion in 1983, the dinner for the 40th Anniversary of the first flight of Arrow 201 in 1998, Jetliner 50th anniversary reunion in 1999, CF-100 50th anniversary celebration in 2000 and at the age 92 at the Inauguration of the full scale replica of the Avro Arrow in. Attended the Arrow 45th anniversary celebration in 2002 and was open to talking with former employees and fans of Avro's projects.