Ad Astra was founded by Capt. Kevin Craven. Recognising the limitations of a small consultancy practice that covers a wide range of consulting projects early on, Kevin set about putting together a team of trusted Subject Matter Expert Consultants. Ad Astra now has more than 90 SMEs available to work on projects covering all aspects of aviation.

Kevin works extensively with Capt Jeremy Baldwin and Stephen Lyons who each bring complimentary skills. Together, Kevin, Jeremy and Stephen comprise the Senior Management Leadership Team of Ad Astra Consulting.

Kevin began his career in the UK Royal Air Force before transitioning to civilian aviation, where he worked in UK regional operations, worldwide ACMI, and global pilot training. He spent a decade in senior management at Qatar Airways, where he held various roles, including Chief Pilot, Training and Standards, Manager of Regulatory Affairs, and Head of the Type Rating Training Organisation. Kevin played a crucial role in developing the airline’s flight operations management system during a period of rapid fleet growth from 7 to 114 aircraft. Also working with the Qatar Civil Aviation Authority to develop regulations and standardisation to international requirements.Kevin has extensive experience working with Aviation Authorities in Qatar, Egypt, Libya, and the EU. Kevin has a proven track record in regulatory and aviation start-ups and is a natural problem solver. He also gained one of the World’s first ISO/IEC: 17024:2012 Certified Aviation Expert (09EL3), ICAO-recognized certifications in 2014.

Stephen’s career started in international banking before moving into aviation finance.  Stephen has extensive experience in senior management roles in structured aircraft finance and leasing, investment banking and Shariah finance and has successfully completed large and complex financing transactions. . He has acted as an advisor to various aviation and logistics companies and their stakeholders. He has a successful track record of defining, implementing, and delivering innovative strategic goals. 

Since 2021, Stephen has focussed on the role Unmanned Aerial Vehicles can play in multiple roles including cargo and surveillance for commercial, humanitarian, search and rescue, disaster management and policing. He was instrumental in establishing a Cargo UAV operation intended to provide humanitarian aid delivery.

Jeremy began his aviation career  as a pilot in 1992.  Having identified his forte in analysing and applying regulatory requirements, he positioned himself as a technical author for the transitions to the Joint Airworthiness Requirements (JAR) for Flight Crew Licensing and Air Operations, as they became applicable during the late 1990s, resulting in a move to join the CAA of Latvia, where he held a variety of inspector positions, including Training and Examinations, SAFA, FSTD National Coordinator and Air Operations. Whilst at the CAA of Latvia he developed a LOSA programme, a global first for this approach that was implemented at National level.  

Jeremy was also seconded him to the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) as a standardisation team member involved in auditing roles at Governmental and Aviation Authority levels, covering oversight of wide-ranging operations from very small/non-complex to multi-nationals. 

Jeremy Started European Aviation Consultants group in 2014, to assist Aviation Authorities with their transition from JAR requirements to the Implementing Rules of the Basic Regulation. Jeremy and his team have represented and resolved TCO issues for several airlines at EASA.

Together Jeremy and Kevin put together a group of more than 90 SME Consultants  able to address any requirement within civil aviation

Kevin began his career in the UK Royal Air Force before transitioning to civilian aviation, where he worked in UK regional operations, worldwide ACMI, and global pilot training. He spent a decade in senior management at Qatar Airways, where he held various roles, including Chief Pilot, Training and Standards, Manager of Regulatory Affairs, and Head of the Type Rating Training Organisation. Kevin played a crucial role in developing the airline’s flight operations management system during a period of rapid fleet growth from 7 to 114 aircraft. Also working with the Qatar Civil Aviation Authority to develop regulations and standardisation to international requirements.Kevin has extensive experience working with Aviation Authorities in Qatar, Egypt, Libya, and the EU. Kevin has a proven track record in regulatory and aviation start-ups and is a natural problem solver. He also gained one of the World’s first ISO/IEC: 17024:2012 Certified Aviation Expert (09EL3), ICAO-recognized certifications in 2014.

Stephen’s career started in international banking before moving into aviation finance.  Stephen has extensive experience in senior management roles in structured aircraft finance and leasing, investment banking and Shariah finance and has successfully completed large and complex financing transactions. . He has acted as an advisor to various aviation and logistics companies and their stakeholders. He has a successful track record of defining, implementing, and delivering innovative strategic goals. 

Since 2021, Stephen has focussed on the role Unmanned Aerial Vehicles can play in multiple roles including cargo and surveillance for commercial, humanitarian, search and rescue, disaster management and policing. He was instrumental in establishing a Cargo UAV operation intended to provide humanitarian aid delivery.

Jeremy began his aviation career  as a pilot in 1992.  Having identified his forte in analysing and applying regulatory requirements, he positioned himself as a technical author for the transitions to the Joint Airworthiness Requirements (JAR) for Flight Crew Licensing and Air Operations, as they became applicable during the late 1990s, resulting in a move to join the CAA of Latvia, where he held a variety of inspector positions, including Training and Examinations, SAFA, FSTD National Coordinator and Air Operations. Whilst at the CAA of Latvia he developed a LOSA programme, a global first for this approach that was implemented at National level.  

Jeremy was also seconded him to the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) as a standardisation team member involved in auditing roles at Governmental and Aviation Authority levels, covering oversight of wide-ranging operations from very small/non-complex to multi-nationals. 

Jeremy Started European Aviation Consultants group in 2014, to assist Aviation Authorities with their transition from JAR requirements to the Implementing Rules of the Basic Regulation. Jeremy and his team have represented and resolved TCO issues for several airlines at EASA.

Together Jeremy and Kevin put together a group of more than 90 SME Consultants  able to address any requirement within civil aviation