NPAS XP329 Line Pilot - Redhill and Birmingham

West Yorkshire Police; Highgate; On-site; GBP 150,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

A police support service is looking for helicopter pilots to provide air support across England and Wales. Candidates should hold a UK Commercial Pilot’s Licence and have significant flying experience, including night flying. The role offers a fixed roster pattern, annual leave, and various benefits, including a CARE pension scheme. Ideal for those wanting to make a difference in community safety, this challenging position ensures adherence to the highest safety standards while responding to dynamic police missions.

Benefits

19 days annual leave

Medical expenses for maintaining Class 1 medical

Loss of Licence Insurance

Death in service payment

Qualifications

• Minimum of 1,500 hours of flying experience, including 100 hours at night.
• Class 1 medical certification required.
• Ability to communicate clearly with the crew.

Responsibilities

• Pursue stolen vehicles and search for missing persons.
• Support for firearms incidents and large public events.
• Conduct pre-planned tasks and respond to emergencies.

Skills

Teamwork

Communication

Self-starter

Education

UK Commercial Pilot’s Licence (Helicopter)

RT Licence

Class 1 Medical

Job description

Here at the National Police Air Service (NPAS) we're looking for helicopter pilots to join our team which provide air support across England and Wales, 365 days a year. On a daily basis, NPAS helps save lives, tackle criminality and keep people and communities safe. Flying to more than 20,000 tasks every year, crews provide effective aerial support to ground‑based officers and in doing so improve operational response to incidents within the highest safety standards. Working alongside Tactical Flight Officers, NPAS pilots have the opportunity to make good use of their skills and experience on a variety of police missions including fast‑paced, dynamic tasks such as:

Key Responsibilities

• pursuit of stolen vehicles
• searching for missing persons/suspects
• support for firearms incidents
• support for large public events such as the London Marathon, Heads of State visits and large demonstrations
• landing so the crew can assist people in distress on occasion

Pilots also fly to pre‑planned tasks and may be called upon for emergency duties as required.

What we can offer you

• Fixed roster pattern offering a stable working routine and the ability to plan many months ahead. Pilots operate in accordance with the approved Flight Time Limitation (FTL).
• 19 days annual leave per year (19 x 12h shifts). On a 4‑on, 4‑off shift pattern you can have 12 consecutive days off by booking 4 consecutive days of annual leave.
• Additional annual leave / overtime for public holidays.
• Additional annual leave upon completion of 5 years’ service.
• CARE pension scheme (Career average revalued earnings).
• Potential to transfer to another NPAS base across England and Wales, including touring pilot positions.
• Medical expenses for maintaining Class 1 medical.
• Loss of Licence Insurance scheme.
• Death in service payment.

Shift Allowance: No shift allowance.

Requirements

• Minimum of a UK Commercial Pilot’s Licence (Helicopter) with RT Licence and Class 1 Medical (unrestricted) and English language proficiency level 6.
• A minimum of 1,500 hours or 1,000 military helicopter hours, total helicopter flying time which must include an absolute minimum of 100 hours flying at night including 20 hours PIC at night, 500 hours PIC overland under VMC. Significant overland experience in a comparable operating environment is required.
• All pilots must hold a UK CAA Class 1 medical for Single Pilot Commercial Operations Carrying Passengers, with an upper age limit of 60 years.
• Ability to work as part of a team and be a self‑starter.
• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely to the crew while carrying out other tasks.
• A full UK driving licence.
• Have been resident in the UK for at least the last 3 years.

About NPAS

NPAS provides borderless air support to all police forces of England and Wales, 365 days a year, from a national network of 14 bases. NPAS exists to keep communities safe and tasks which pose the highest risk to communities are prioritised in line with local police and crime plans. All requests for air support are managed through our national Operations Centre.

NPAS was formed in October 2012 following the national review of air support conducted by the Home Office in 2010. It is the first and only collaboration of all police forces in England and Wales, regulated by law, and is delivered by West Yorkshire Police on behalf of British Policing. It is governed by a National Board made up of nine elected Police and Crime Commissioners and nine Chief Constables.

West Yorkshire Police is committed to improving the diversity of its workforce to better reflect the diverse communities we serve. We welcome applications from all minority groups and individuals who identify with one or more of the protected characteristics as defined by the Equality Act 2010. All NPAS staff and officers have access to an in‑house peer support scheme; all peer supporters are fully trained and will listen and help staff during difficult times.