Chief Pilot

Aviation Links; Greater London; On-site; GBP 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Aviation Links is seeking a Chief Pilot / Flight Operations Manager to lead rotary-wing operations from the Greater London area. You will provide strategic direction, ensure regulatory compliance and maintain high safety, service and crew performance across a multi-type fleet.

Reporting to senior leadership, you will oversee flight standards, recruitment, training liaison, audits and regulatory submissions, acting as the primary interface with the UK CAA and customers to deliver safe, efficient,

Qualifications

• Extensive rotary-wing operational experience within a commercial helicopter environment.
• Experience in postholder responsibilities or close support to AOC management functions.
• Strong knowledge of UK CAA, AOC and Air Operations requirements.
• Experience engaging with regulators, audits and compliance processes.
• Confident leadership with strong communication and stakeholder management.
• Commercially aware and customer-focused.
• Experience on AW139, AW169, H145 or AW109 aircraft types.
• HEMS and/or charter experience advantageous.
• UK CAA CPL(H) or ATPL(H).
• Valid Class 1 Medical.
• Eligibility to live and work in the UK.
• Ability to hold Nominated Person Flight Operations Manager within a UK AOC structure.

Responsibilities

• Lead, manage and support flight crew, flying standards and day-to-day operational performance.
• Ensure all flying activity is conducted safely and in full compliance with UK CAA requirements, company procedures and the Operations Manual.
• Maintain and promote a proactive safety culture, setting consistently high standards across the operation.
• Develop trusted working relationships with customers, regulators, senior management and internal stakeholders.
• Convert customer requirements into safe, effective and commercially responsive operational delivery.
• Oversee pilot recruitment, induction, development, standardisation and operational readiness.
• Collaborate with training, safety and compliance teams to support continuous improvement.
• Act as a key point of contact with the UK CAA on operational matters, audits, inspections and regulatory oversight.
• Support internal and external audits, regulatory visits and the timely closure of findings and corrective actions.
• Contribute to manual development, operational procedures, approvals and regulatory submissions.

Skills

Rotary-wing ops

Leadership experience

Regulatory knowledge

CAA liaison

Stakeholder management

Commercial awareness

Aircraft type exposure

Education

CAA CPL(H) or ATPL(H)

Job description

Chief Pilot / Flight Ops Manager – Rotary

• Location – Greater London
• Salary – Very competitive
• Fleet – Various AW and Airbus types

We are representing an established UK AOC helicopter operator in the appointment of an experienced Chief Pilot / Flight Ops Manager to lead flight operations from the South East of England.

This senior leadership role will suit a commercially aware aviation professional with the operational judgement, regulatory understanding and leadership capability to maintain the highest standards of safety, compliance, service delivery and crew performance across a multi-type rotary-wing fleet.

Role Overview

Reporting into senior leadership, the Chief Pilot / Flight Operations Manager will provide operational direction, ensure robust regulatory oversight and act as a key interface between crews, management, customers and the UK CAA.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead, manage and support flight crew, flying standards and day-to-day operational performance.
• Ensure all flying activity is conducted safely and in full compliance with UK CAA requirements, company procedures and the Operations Manual.
• Maintain and promote a proactive safety culture, setting consistently high standards across the operation.
• Develop trusted working relationships with customers, regulators, senior management and internal stakeholders.
• Convert customer requirements into safe, effective and commercially responsive operational delivery.
• Oversee pilot recruitment, induction, development, standardisation and operational readiness.
• Collaborate with training, safety and compliance teams to support continuous improvement.
• Act as a key point of contact with the UK CAA on operational matters, audits, inspections and regulatory oversight.
• Support internal and external audits, regulatory visits and the timely closure of findings and corrective actions.
• Contribute to manual development, operational procedures, approvals and regulatory submissions.

Candidate Profile

• Extensive rotary-wing operational experience within a commercial helicopter environment.
• Previous exposure to postholder responsibilities or close support to AOC management functions.
• Strong working knowledge of UK CAA, AOC and Air Operations requirements.
• Experience engaging with regulators, audits and compliance processes.
• Confident and credible leadership style, with strong communication, judgement and stakeholder-management skills.
• Commercially aware, professional and customer-focused approach.
• Experience on AW139, AW169, H145 or AW109 aircraft types.
• HEMS and/or charter experience would be advantageous.
• UK CAA CPL(H) or ATPL(H).
• Valid Class 1 Medical.
• Eligibility to live and work in the UK.
• Ability to hold the position of Nominated Person Flight Operations Manager within a UK AOC structure.

Compliance & Equal Opportunities

JMC Aviation is committed to equal opportunity and diversity in the workplace. All applicants will be considered based on merit, qualification, and business need, regardless of age, gender, nationality, or background. We operate in full compliance with global aviation recruitment regulations.

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