An interview with Dr Graham Rood FRAeS… sound research at the RAE and safeguarding RAE’s legacy

From the sonic booms of Concorde to the cockpits of fighter aircraft, noise has always been a problem for aviators. Dr Graham Rood spent a fascinating career reducing the negative effects of sound, including groundbreaking research into helmet-based noise cancelling systems, and, in retirement, has joined colleagues at the Farnborough Air Sciences Trust (FAST) to safeguard the legacy generations of aeronautical researchers who worked in the birthplace of British aviation.

After receiving excellent all-round training as a Royal Aircraft Establishment (RAE) apprentice, Graham joined the Ministry of Defence’s Inspection Directorate, where he worked closely with aero engine companies. The role was both interesting and deeply satisfying, but his thirst for hands-on engineering led him to Christchurch, where he took on the role of Eng3 at the Royal Signals and Radar Establishment (SRDE), initially focusing on mobile power systems for the army.

His career progressed with a move to Boscombe Down where he worked at the Aeroplane and Armaments Experimental Establishment (A&AEE). During this period, Graham embarked on a part-time MSc at Southampton University’s Institute of Sound and Vibration. This research involved investigating the sonic booms of Concorde—a fascinating challenge that ultimately led him to pursue a PhD. 

In 1974, he returned to Farnborough, where he became immersed in tackling cockpit noise, a problem that threatened to make communication impossible in low-flying jets. Determined to find solutions, Graham worked on developing advanced helmets and noise-cancellation systems. His role as a Flight Observer in fast jets allowed him to test and refine these innovations firsthand. His expertise and dedication saw him rise to become Head of the Acoustics and Vibration Section within the Man-Machine Integration Department.

Even after formally retiring, Graham’s passion for aviation and engineering remained undiminished. As one of QinetiQ’s Trusted Experts, he continued to lend his knowledge to the field. But it was his involvement with FAST that marked the beginning of a second career. Initially focused on preserving historic buildings, he soon took on the monumental task of saving vast archives of photographs, reports, and records that were at risk of being lost and forgotten. Thanks to Graham and his colleagues, future generations will be able to access and learn from the 100 years of pioneering technical and scientific work of the RAE. 

Dr Graham Rood FRAeS talked with Roger Cansdale FRAeS on 28 January 2025 for the Royal Aeronautical Society/National Aerospace Library’s oral history project ‘If I only didn’t do it that way…….” Capturing history from the horse’s mouth to inspire today’s aeronautical professionals. … . The podcast was edited by Eur Ing Mike Stanberry FRAeS.

The transcript of the recording can be accessed on the National Aerospace Library's catalogue.