School/Department School of Aerospace, Transport and Manufacturing
Based at Cranfield Campus, Cranfield, Bedfordshire
Hours of work 37 hours per week, normally worked Monday to Friday. Flexible working will be considered.
Contract type Permanent
Salary Full time starting salary is normally in the range of £43,351 to £48,323 per annum, with potential progression up to £60,403 per annum
Apply by 23/05/2021

Role Description

Cranfield University’s world-class expertise, large-scale facilities and unrivalled industry partnerships is creating leaders in technology and management globally. Learn more about Cranfield and our unique impact here.

The National Flying Laboratory Centre (NFLC) welcomes applications from pilots that hold both EASA/UKCAA ATPL(A) and FI(A) qualifications.

About National Flying Laboratory Centre (NFLC)

The National Flying Laboratory Centre (NFLC) is a specialist group within the School of Aerospace, Transport Systems and Manufacturing, Cranfield University. NFLC operates a Jetstream 31 aircraft, shortly to be replaced by a Saab340B aircraft (under Part-SPO) and two aerobatic light aircraft (under Part DTO / Part NCO). The NFLC operation covers two separate activities; namely the provision of airborne teaching for the Higher Education sector and research and development flying in support of the aerospace industry.

Operating from the University’s own airport, the NFLC also operates Scottish Aviation Bulldog and Slingsby Firefly single engine aerobatic aircraft in an instructional role, to provide select Cranfield University students with hands-on flying experience. NFLC pilots are all qualified instructors and regularly fly these aerobatic light aircraft, instructing students. In a normal year, over 800 light aircraft flights are completed by NFLC instructors. NFLC is also involved in teaching, research and the supervision of student research projects across the University.

http://www.cranfield.ac.uk/centres/national-flying-laboratory-centre

About the Role

This role combines the duties of a Saab340B First Officer and Light Aircraft Flight Instructor. You can expect to devote 60% of your time to the First Officer role and 40% of your time to the Light Aircraft Instructor role.

As an NFLC Saab340B First officer you are expected to bring a reasonable degree of experience of aircraft operations as a First Officer, and work with a Captain and Flight Test Engineer or Flight Demonstrator (as appropriate) to complete a range of demonstration (flying classroom) and research & development flights. You may also be required to operate in the role of Flight Demonstrator if schedule demands.

There are occasions when the Saab340B aircraft will deploy to other airfields to support the flying classroom task. These activities are normally planned well in advance, rarely require weekend duty and cover approximately 10 weeks across the year.  You will not need to support all these deployments but must be willing to support these deployed tasks when required.

As a Light Aircraft Flight Instructor, you are responsible for the safe operation of the light aircraft within your care and the staff and students who may occupy them under instruction. You must be a proficient aerobatics pilot. You are also expected to bring a substantial degree of experience of aircraft instruction into the light aircraft operation and be able to support the safe and efficient light aircraft activity.

The safety of your students is of paramount importance and your role is to provide support in the Saab340B role and leadership in the Light Aircraft role to affect a safe learning and working environment.

About You

The successful applicant must be able to demonstrate that, in addition to the professional skills required for this post, they can work within a small, dynamic and highly motivated team. The role is diverse and rarely are two days the same. The applicant must be able to demonstrate that they are a team player and be willing to support other NFLC staff in their roles.

In return, the successful applicant will have exciting opportunities for career development in this key position, and to support world leading research and education, joining a supportive team and environment.

Our Values

Our shared, stated values help to define who we are and underpin everything we do: Ambition; Impact; Respect; and Community. Find out more here. We aim to create and maintain a culture in which everyone can work and study together and realise their full potential.

Diversity and Inclusion

Our equal opportunities and diversity monitoring has shown that women and minority ethnic groups are currently underrepresented within the university and so we actively encourage applications from eligible candidates from these groups.

To further demonstrate our commitment to progressing gender diversity in STEM, we are members of WES & Working Families, and sponsors of International Women in Engineering Day.

Flexible Working

We actively consider flexible working options such as part-time, compressed or flexible hours and/or an element of homeworking, and commit to exploring the possibilities for each role. Find out more here.

How to apply

For an informal discussion about this opportunity, please contact Robert Harrison, Head of NFLC Flight Operations, robert.a.harrison@cranfield.ac.uk