Job description
Job title Chief Pilot (NPFO)
Reporting to Aviation Director
Based at North Weald & Earls Colne bases, other locations as occasionally required by Chief Pilot duties and occasional home working
Contract Appointment will be made on a permanent basis with a 6-month probationary period
Working pattern As required by Chief Pilot duties and the EHAAT roster, this will be a combination of weekdays (office hours), rostered 12-hour shifts (normally IAW a “4 On/4 Off” FTL scheme), amounting to an average of 40 hours per week.
Pension Automatic enrolment to our pension scheme after 3 months
Annual leave 28 days, plus public holidays (taken on the day or as TOIL)
Salary Circa £100k - negotiable depending on qualifications and relevant experience
Job purpose
The role of the Chief Pilot is to ensure the smooth, efficient and safe operation of EHAAT’s AOC aviation operations. This will be achieved by supervising and managing all flight operations functions, crew, staff and resources, working in close cooperation with EHAAT’s ground operations team.
The Chief Pilot will also perform HEMS shifts from time to time either as a line pilot or in a line training capacity.
The Chief Pilot will also hold the regulatorily required AOC management post of Nominated Person Flight Operations and will be directly responsible to EHAAT’s Accountable Manager/Aviation Director for all aspects of flight operations. As such, the Chief Pilot will work closely with the other AOC managers and with the CAA during EHAAT’s forthcoming AOC transition project and beyond, being responsible for the highest levels of safe, compliant and effective performance of EHAAT’s HEMS flight operations.
Key responsibilities
Flight Operations Management
• Plan and manage the conduct of EHAAT flight operations, working closely with the Chief Training Captain, working as required to provide safe operations which meet current and developing regulatory and organisational requirements.
• In coordination with the Chief Training Captain and Ground Operations Manager, managing the rostering of pilots for HEMS shifts and associated training activities to ensure that all operational shifts are covered within the limitations of the appropriate FTL scheme, and that training and checking is delivered in a timely manner to achieve maximise availability of qualified crew.
• In coordination with the Ground Ops Manager, ensuring that all necessary flight operations equipment, IT, uniform, and support resources are readily available.
• Review and revise the AOC Operations Manual (AOM) on a regular basis to ensure continuing compliance with regulation and continuous improvement, working in consultation with the Chief Training Captain on the AOM Part D (Training) and any other operational documentation to ensure it keeps pace with regulations, operational requirements and procedures.
• Periodically review and revise all other EHAAT documentation, procedures and processes relating to AOC flight operations (e.g. EFB Manual, Flight Crew Notices).
• Liaising regularly with the Continuing Airworthiness Manager (CAM) regarding matters of fleet airworthiness and forthcoming or arising maintenance requirements and ensuring that communications between shift pilots, CAM and Part145 organisation are quick and effective.
• Working closely with the Safety Manager, actively supporting and promoting safety through the EHAAT SMS, facilitating Flight Safety meetings and supporting the Safety Management meetings series.
• Supervise all aspects of flight operations record keeping, ensuring that regulatorily required data is captured accurately and processed and stored appropriately, liaising closely with the Compliance Monitoring Manager regarding audits and investigations Leadership
• Lead and manage the EHAAT flight operations team through the Chief Pilot’s own exemplary performance and standards, providing support, guidance and personal development opportunities.
• Demonstrating confidentiality, discretion, sensitivity and impartiality in all aspects of the role, allied to a strong focus on safety leadership and well balanced Just Culture.
• Actively maintain and demonstrate an interest in the activities of EHAAT, contributing wherever possible to the charitable activities of the organisation and being an ambassador for EHAAT values.
Team Support
• Work closely with the AOC management team with a particular focus on safety, compliance and operational effectiveness.
• Be the first point of contact to provide support and guidance on flight operations matters and the associated support and administrative arrangements.
• Develop and build good working relationships with other air ambulance operators’ flight operations managers with a focus on sharing information, developing best practice and improving safety and operational effectiveness