• Kit Mitchell oral history interview - public transport research

As well as working at the Royal Aircraft Establishment (RAE) for many years, Kit Mitchell worked at what became the Transport Research Laboratory (TRL) at various times from 1970 to 1994. During this part of the interview, Kit talks about his work researching public transport and the effects of transport policies and provision on different groups of people, including elderly and disabled people. As well as being the man behind ‘Dial-a-bus’, Kit regards his team’s work on British and later European buses more disability-friendly as ’probably the most useful thing I've done in my life’.

Kit’s story shows how aeronautical engineers’ skills can lead to a very flexible career – something for young people to consider when planning their education and career journey. Kit also gives a fascinating insight into what it was like working for different government research organisations.

Dr C G B (Kit) Mitchell FRAeS was interviewed by Katrina Sudell on 10 December 2024 as part of 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. This recording with an extract from the interview on 10 December 2024 was edited by Eur Ing Mike Stanberry FRAeS.

An insight into Kit’s aeronautical career recorded in an oral history interview on 10 December 2024 and 3 February 2025 can be found in a second edited recording.