Fleet Captain

Draken International; Bournemouth; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

An aviation training organization in Bournemouth is seeking a Fixed Wing Mass Fleet Captain to oversee BN2T flight operations and ensure compliance and safety across services. The ideal candidate will be an experienced pilot with a valid CPL(A) or ATPL(A) and strong leadership skills. You will manage aircrew, interact with customers, and maintain high operational standards. The role requires excellent communication and problem-solving abilities in dynamic situations.

Qualifications

• Strong focus on aviation safety and compliance.
• Ability to work under time pressure with high information load.
• Excellent stakeholder communication and relationship management.
• Open to constructive feedback and self-criticism.

Responsibilities

• Act as principal customer point of contact for flight operations.
• Ensure safety and compliance in BN2T operations.
• Liaise with operations and engineering for service availability.
• Control headcount position for service delivery.
• Maintain discipline, conduct, and appearance as a company representative.

Skills

Aviation safety

Strong communication

Decision-making under pressure

Leadership

Customer-focused approach

Education

Valid UK CPL(A) or ATPL(A)

Class 1 medical certificate

Completed AUPRT course

Tools

Microsoft Office software

Job description

Draken Europe offers exciting careers that matter.

We believe that mission success does not start with the mission itself. It begins with our people.

The Role

We are currently recruiting for Fixed Wing Mass Fleet Captain.

The Fleet Captain serves as the senior pilot for the BN2T fleet and reports directly to the Deputy Head of Flight Operations (DHFO). This role is pivotal in ensuring the safe and compliant delivery of flight operations across all BN2T contracted activities and bases.

As Fleet Captain, you will oversee operational performance, supervise aircrew, and maintain the highest standards of aviation safety. You will also act as the primary representative of the company in non-commercial discussions with the customer, ensuring contractual obligations are met and fostering strong professional relationships.

Key Responsibilities

As B N2T Fleet Captain

• Act as the principal customer point of contact for all Islander flight operations activities.
• Ensure that tactical operational delivery (flying) meets or exceeds customer requirements.
• Responsibility for the safe operation of the BN2T across all bases as defined in the Company Operation Manuals and relevant procedures.
• Exercise the duties and responsibilities of a BN2T Captain.
• Liaise with Draken Operations and Engineering personnel and external service providers to ensure the availability service is maintained in accordance with the contract.
• Effective control of headcount position to ensure delivery of service across both bases.
• Enable a strong succession plan through recruitment of appropriately qualified individuals.
• Sponsor for OMB(Islander) and theIslanders SOPs.
• Support commercial and bid activity with new and existing customers for BN2T related projects.
• Comply with and support internal Flt Ops audit/CAA audit programmes and meet the statutory time to assess, comprehensively address and close out NCRs.
• Facilitate an open and honest reporting culture within the BN2T fleet.
• Maintain a high standard of discipline, conduct and appearance as a representative of the Company.
• Ensure that records are maintained in accordance with regulations and Company operations manuals.
• Ensure BN2T operations are conducted in accordance with the relevant SHE standards.
• In an emergency that requires immediate decision and action, take appropriate action considered necessary under the circumstances.
• Any other duties reasonably requested by Draken Europe management within the incumbent's capability.
• Uphold the Draken Europe Vision, Mission, Customer Promise, and Core Values and Principles.

Personal Skills & Abilities

• Strong focus on aviation safety and compliance
• Accepts responsibility for decisions and actions
• Ability to work well under time pressure, managing a high information load
• Excellent communication skills and ability to maintain effective working relationships with internal and external stakeholders
• High level of personal and professional integrity
• Strong airborne leadership skills
• Customer-focused approach
• Ability to manage multiple tasks concurrently, prioritising to achieve safe outcomes
• Adaptable when faced with dynamic situations
• Open to self-criticism and constructive feedback

Educational & Vocational Qualifications

• Valid UK CPL(A) or ATPL(A)
• Class 1 medical certificate
• Completed AUPRT course (if required)
• Over 1000 hours as Islander PIC (Desirable)
• Previous experience on aircraft involved in a warfare training role (Desirable)

Knowledge

• Strong understanding of customer operational requirements and platform capabilities
• Experience in flight operations within military or government aviation
• Flight operations in the civil environment (Desirable)
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office software (Highly desirable)

Experience

• Qualified and experienced Islander pilot (Highly desirable)
• Prior experience managing aircrew (Highly desirable)
• Delivery of contracted Flight Operations (Desirable)

Our employee values

Draken is committed to eliminating unlawful and unfair discrimination and we celebrate the differences that a diverse workforce brings. A range of perspective and talent supports our values and drives our success, with a mix of voices generating better discussions, business decisions and outcomes for all.

To us, diversity means bringing your own perspective to the conversation; inclusion means having a voice - and e quality means that your voice is heard.

At all our sites internationally, every member of the Draken Europe team is accountable to ensure that we are all treated fairly and with respect.

Intolerance has no place in our Company. We condemn it outright. Instead, we strive to create a culture where each person who joins our team feels they have the opportunity to succeed, to grow, and to work within an environment where they can be themselves.

We are also an Armed Forces friendly organisation, and as part of our commitment to the Armed Forces Covenant, welcome applications from veterans and services spouses and partners who met the criteria in our job specifications.

In line with our Disability Confident Commitments, we provide reasonable adjustments to facilitate our interview process, please liaise with us if any reasonable adjustments are required.

About You

About Us

Whether it is adversarial support, electronic attack or customised rotary-wing training, we offer the most accurate and advanced readiness training in the industry. Our vast, differentiated fleet, cutting edge hardware and experienced instructors are engaged to help your mission take off.

Being ready is not only a matter of when. But where. We provide services in the UK, US and across the NATO countries. Making sure that our allies can manoeuvre around defeat and prepare to prevail.