Drone Operations
Practical support for planning, developing and delivering safe, effective UAS operations.
Drone & aviation services
Clarity for complex operations.
Independent consultancy, training and operational support for organisations working in the drone and wider aviation sectors.
The leading edge
Where aviation expertise meets practical delivery.
We help clients move forward with confidence—bringing structure to complex requirements, strengthening operational capability and keeping safety at the centre of every decision.
What we do
Specialist support.
Built around your operation.
From a focused piece of advice to longer-term support, every engagement is shaped around the outcome you need.
How we work
Clear thinking.
Confident action.
Understand
We start with your operation, objectives and constraints.
Define
We turn complexity into a clear, proportionate course of action.
Deliver
We support implementation with practical aviation experience.
About the founder
Matt Butwell
From RAF operations to the future of aviation.
Matt is a former Royal Air Force Chinook pilot whose aviation career has been shaped by complex operations, high-consequence decision-making and the responsibility of developing others.
After joining the RAF in 2003, Matt qualified as a pilot in 2005 and was posted to 18(B) Squadron at RAF Odiham. During ten years flying the Chinook, he operated around the world and completed eight tours on Operation HERRICK. He flew more than 100 Medical Emergency Response Team missions, helping to extract over 150 casualties. His service also included operations in Northern Ireland, leading the aviation contingency response team for the 2012 Olympic Games and instructional duties teaching Chinook aircraft conversion.
Since leaving regular RAF service, Matt has continued in commercial aviation as an AW139 and AW189 Type Rating Instructor and Examiner, Line Training Captain and Search & Rescue Commander supporting HM Coastguard. He has trained and examined pilots in UK, desert, arctic, maritime and simulator environments.
Within the drone sector, Matt holds two Accountable Manager appointments. For a leading international Counter-UAS company, he is responsible for the safe oversight of CUAS testing. In a separate role, he oversees a UK-based UAS Recognised Assessment Entity responsible for training and assessing the future generations of UAS pilots.
Matt also supports organisations through requirements capture, regulatory applications, platform acquisition, detailed design, testing, training and assessment. His approach connects the operational discipline of crewed aviation with the rapidly evolving opportunities presented by UAS.
View Matt’s LinkedIn profileRoyal Air ForceChinook pilot & instructor
InstructionType Rating Instructor & Examiner
Accountable ManagerCUAS testing & UAS pilot training
Start a conversation
Let’s move your operation forward.
Tell us what you’re working on and where you need support.
matt@leadingedgeconsultancy.com