Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) | Pilot

Flight Standards Officer (Air Displays)

About the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA)

The Civil Aviation Authority is recognised as the UK's aviation and aerospace regulator and a world leader in its field. The organisation's diverse activities enable the aviation industry to meet the highest safety standards, constantly adapting to the evolving aviation environment.

The Opportunity

The Civil Aviation Authority invites applications for a Flight Standards Officer within the Air Display Team of the General Aviation Unit, part of the Safety & Airspace Regulation Group. This pivotal role offers a unique opportunity to significantly shape and influence the General Aviation (GA) operational landscape and the wider aviation industry. The successful candidate will serve the public interest while establishing themselves as a renowned authority within the general aviation sector, with decisions potentially impacting thousands of lives across the UK.

The Flight Standards Officer will provide crucial support to the Air Display Lead (ADL) in the development and implementation of risk-based oversight (both regulatory and non-regulatory), safety promotion initiatives, inspection activities, assurance tasks, and stakeholder engagement. This role is instrumental in the effective delivery of the Air Display Regulation Team (ADRT) Strategy.

Key Responsibilities

The Flight Standards Officer will be responsible for a comprehensive range of duties, including but not limited to:

• Conducting on-site audits and assessments of a diverse array of GA customers, ensuring their strict compliance with relevant operational regulations, such as the Air Navigation Order (ANO), Standardised European Rules of the Air (SERA), and EU Regulations as retained and amended in UK law.
• Assisting in the delivery of the Air Display Regulation Programme, contributing to regulatory change, and embedding guidance and processes within the CAA’s air display regulatory environment.
• Providing oversight of UK Display Flying Activity to ensure agreed safety and performance standards are consistently met.
• Liaising extensively with both internal and external partners, offering expert support and advice on General Aviation and UK Flying Display matters.
• Consulting with the UK GA Community on proposed changes to legislation and regulatory requirements, ensuring their views are accurately represented.
• Preparing and issuing Permissions, Exemptions, Approvals, and Variations within allocated areas of responsibility.
• Conducting Assurance visits to verify stakeholder compliance with legislation and CAA Civil Aviation Publications (CAPs).
• Providing expert input into the regulation of the UK General Aviation Industry, supporting the GA Unit's policy of developing proportionate and performance-based oversight to foster a vibrant UK GA industry.
• Developing policy and regulatory responses to investigations and contextual developments, acting as a liaison between internal stakeholders and the GA Unit.
• Engaging with external stakeholders to provide support and expertise to the GA Unit and other relevant parties on GA and Flying Display matters.
• Identifying and developing amendments to CAPs and guidance material to maintain alignment with technical and legislative changes.
• Managing workload effectively within priorities set by the GA Air Display Lead and the Air Display Regulation Team Strategy.
• Recognising when to refer matters for high-level agreement and coherence with overarching GA Unit and SARG strategies and policies.
• Seeking advice from other internal departments, including the legal department, while maintaining responsibility for driving processes forward.
• Actively seeking to advance both the CAA and the UK's position in aviation regulation.

Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate will be a self-motivated professional with strong communication skills and an excellent knowledge of aviation operations. A thorough understanding of display flying management and delivery, gained through appropriate Flying Display Director (FDD) experience, as an Airshow Event Organiser, or through authority and industry regulatory experience, is essential, alongside a comprehensive understanding of UK Air Display Regulation.

Essential Criteria

• Demonstrable thorough knowledge of display flying management and delivery, acquired through appropriate Flying Display Director (FDD) experience, as an Airshow Event Organiser, or through relevant authority and industry regulatory experience.
• A comprehensive understanding of UK Air Display Regulation.
• Confidence in making risk-based, proportionate, and consistent decisions.
• Ability to communicate confidently and effectively at all levels, including with senior stakeholders both internal and external to the CAA.
• Capacity to confidently deliver training.
• A collaborative approach, combined with the ability to seek guidance and consult, yet possessing the strength to propel processes forward.
• Proven ability to understand, analyse complex technical data, ensuring a high level of accuracy in all work.
• Capability to provide timely and effective responses to internal and external stakeholder demands.

Desirable Criteria

• Possession of, or having previously held, a Private or Professional Pilot Licence, or a military equivalent, or possessing relevant, current substantive authority and industry regulatory experience.
• Ability to utilise project management disciplines to ensure assigned work is managed effectively to agreed criteria of cost, time, and quality.

What We Offer

This is a unique opportunity to be intimately involved in the UK air display industry and to contribute significantly to the delivery of UK regulatory oversight in this specialized field. As experience grows, there will be opportunities to dedicate larger portions of the working day to conducting audit and oversight related activities within the broader air display community. The role provides an outstanding platform to share opinions and contribute to enhancing a safe aviation environment for all airspace users.

• Flexible Working: The CAA embraces hybrid working and offers flexible working patterns, open to discussions about individual needs to achieve a healthy work-life balance.
• Comprehensive Benefits: A range of excellent benefits including flexible working arrangements, a free onsite gym at Gatwick (or discounted gym membership for London-based roles), 28 days annual leave, an additional 5-day leave purchase scheme, and a generous pension scheme.
• Career Development: The CAA is committed to an increasingly adaptable environment where colleagues collaborate in cross-functional teams, fostering continuous learning and providing opportunities for career development beyond day-to-day roles.

Relocation and Property Information

The CAA is planning to relocate its Gatwick office from Aviation House to new premises within a 15-mile radius, anticipated no earlier than 2028. This move is driven by strategic, operational, and environmental considerations, aiming to minimise disruption for colleagues and customers.

Inclusive Recruitment

The CAA is passionate about diversity and ensuring inclusivity for all. As an equal opportunity employer, applications from candidates of all backgrounds are actively encouraged. As a proud member of the Disability Confident scheme, applicants who meet the minimum criteria for a role will be guaranteed an interview. The CAA employs fair and inclusive selection approaches to hire the best person for the job based on merit alone, and adjustments can be provided upon request for any reason.

Our Values

The Civil Aviation Authority operates by core values that guide its mission and culture:

• Do The Right Thing
• Never Stop Learning
• Build Collaborative Relationships
• Respect Everyone

Visa and Security Information