Chief Pilot

Meritus; City Of London; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Meritus Talent is partnering with a well-established UK helicopter operator to recruit an experienced Chief Pilot who will also contribute to Flight Operations leadership and regulatory compliance across a multi‑type rotorcraft operation.

The role requires senior operational oversight, crew development, and continual alignment with UK CAA standards. You will work with senior management, flight crews and customers to deliver safe, compliant, and commercially effective operations.

Qualifications

• Extensive commercial helicopter operational experience.
• Previous Chief Pilot, Flight Operations or wider AOC management/postholder experience.
• Strong knowledge of UK CAA, AOC and Air Operations requirements.
• Experience dealing directly with regulators, audits and compliance processes.
• Strong leadership and crew management skills.
• A professional, commercially aware and customer‑focused approach.
• Experience on HEMS and/or charter operations.

Responsibilities

• Leading day-to-day flight operations and supervising flight crew and flying standards.
• Ensuring operations remain compliant with UK CAA requirements, the AOC and Operations Manual.
• Driving a strong safety culture and high professional standards across the operation.
• Managing and developing pilots, including recruitment, induction, standardisation and operational readiness.
• Working closely with Safety, Compliance and Training teams.
• Acting as a key operational contact for the UK CAA.
• Supporting CAA audits, inspections, regulatory visits and the closure of any findings.
• Supporting the development of operational manuals, procedures, approvals and regulatory submissions.
• Building strong relationships with customers and ensuring their requirements are translated into safe and effective operations.

Skills

Leadership

Crew management

Regulatory compliance

Operational excellence

Stakeholder engagement

Audits & regulatory visits

Education

UK CAA CPL(H) or ATPL(H)

Tools

AW139

AW169

H145

AW109

Job description

Meritus Talent are working with a well-established UK helicopter operator to recruit an experienced Chief Pilot that will also help with Flight Operations to lead their flight operations.

This is a key senior leadership position within the AOC, taking responsibility for flying standards, operational delivery, crew management and regulatory compliance across a varied multi-type helicopter operation.

You’ll work closely with senior management, flight crews, customers and the UK CAA, making sure operations remain safe, compliant and commercially effective while continuing to maintain a high standard of service.

What you’ll be doing

• Leading day-to-day flight operations and supervising flight crew and flying standards


• Ensuring operations remain compliant with UK CAA requirements, the AOC and Operations Manual


• Driving a strong safety culture and high professional standards across the operation


• Managing and developing pilots, including recruitment, induction, standardisation and operational readiness


• Working closely with Safety, Compliance and Training teams


• Acting as a key operational contact for the UK CAA


• Supporting CAA audits, inspections, regulatory visits and the closure of any findings


• Supporting the development of operational manuals, procedures, approvals and regulatory submissions


• Building strong relationships with customers and ensuring their requirements are translated into safe and effective operations

What we’re looking for

We’re looking for someone with strong rotary‑wing experience who understands both the flying and operational leadership side of running a UK AOC.

Ideally, you’ll bring:

• Extensive commercial helicopter operational experience


• Previous Chief Pilot, Flight Operations or wider AOC management/postholder experience


• Strong knowledge of UK CAA, AOC and Air Operations requirements


• Experience dealing directly with regulators, audits and compliance processes


• Strong leadership and crew management skills


• A professional, commercially aware and customer‑focused approach


• Experience on AW139, AW169, H145 and/or AW109


• Previous HEMS and/or charter experience

Essential requirements

• UK CAA CPL(H) or ATPL(H)


• Valid Class 1 Medical


• Right to live and work in the UK


• Able to hold the position of Nominated Person Flight Operations Manager within a UK AOC