Chief Pilot

Steele Charles Ltd; Biggin Hill; On-site; GBP 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Steele Charles Ltd. is retained to appoint a senior Chief Pilot / Flight Operations Manager at Biggin Hill Airport to lead a multi-type helicopter operation, ensuring safe and compliant delivery across charter, HEMS and specialist work.

You will oversee flying standards, crew management and regulatory compliance, working with UK CAA, customers and stakeholders to optimise operational performance and safety. This is a high-responsibility role at executive level.

Qualifications

• Senior rotary-wing operations experience.
• Experience in Chief Pilot/Flight Operations Manager or equivalent.
• Knowledge of UK CAA, AOC and Air Operations requirements.
• Experience working with regulators, audits and compliance processes.
• Strong leadership and stakeholder management skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead and supervise flight crew, flying standards and day-to-day flight operations.
• Maintain high safety standards and regulatory compliance.
• Ensure operations meet UK CAA requirements and company procedures.
• Recruit, induct and develop pilots; drive standardisation and readiness.
• Coordinate with Training, Safety and Compliance for improvements.
• Act as operational contact with the UK CAA, including audits and inspections.
• Support audits and close out corrective actions.
• Contribute to manuals, procedures, approvals and regulatory submissions.
• Build relationships with customers and stakeholders to meet operational needs.
• Support management to maintain efficient, commercially effective flight ops.

Skills

Leadership

Flight operations

Regulatory compliance

Crew management

Audits & regulatory liaison

Education

CPL(H) or ATPL(H)

Job description

Steele Charles has been retained by an established UK helicopter operator to appoint a senior Chief Pilot / Flight Operations Manager to lead its flight operations from Biggin Hill Airport.

Operating across charter, HEMS and specialist helicopter operations, the business operates a diverse fleet including AW139, AW169, H145 and AW109.

This is a senior position with genuine responsibility for flying standards, crew management, regulatory compliance and the overall operational performance of the flight department.

Working closely with senior management, the UK CAA, customers and internal stakeholders, the successful candidate will play a key role in ensuring the safe, compliant and professional delivery of a multi-type operation.

The Role

• Lead and supervise flight crew, flying standards and day-to-day flight operations
• Maintain the highest standards of safety, professionalism and regulatory compliance
• Ensure operations remain compliant with UK CAA requirements, company procedures and the Operations Manual
• Provide leadership across pilot recruitment, induction, development, standardisation and operational readiness
• Work closely with Training, Safety and Compliance functions to drive continuous improvement
• Act as a key operational contact with the UK CAA, including audits, inspections and regulatory oversight
• Support internal and external audits and ensure findings and corrective actions are closed effectively
• Contribute to the development of manuals, operational procedures, approvals and regulatory submissions
• Develop strong relationships with customers and stakeholders, ensuring operational requirements are translated into safe and effective delivery
• Support the wider management team in maintaining efficient, commercially effective flight operations

The Candidate

We are looking for an experienced rotary-wing professional with a strong background in commercial helicopter operations and the leadership capability to operate at senior management level.

You will ideally bring:

• Extensive commercial rotary-wing operational experience
• Previous experience within a Chief Pilot, Flight Operations Manager or equivalent senior operational capacity
• Experience supporting or undertaking AOC postholder responsibilities
• Strong knowledge of UK CAA, AOC and Air Operations requirements
• Experience working directly with regulators, audits and compliance processes
• Strong leadership and crew management capabilities
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills
• A commercially aware and customer-focused approach
• Experience on one or more of AW139, AW169, H145 or AW109
• Previous HEMS and/or charter experience

Requirements

• UK CAA CPL(H) or ATPL(H)
• Valid Class 1 Medical
• Eligible to live and work in the UK
• Able to hold the position of Nominated Person – Flight Operations Manager within a UK AOC structure

This is an opportunity to take a genuinely influential leadership position within a specialist UK helicopter operation, with responsibility extending well beyond day-to-day flying.