Job Title: Deputy Chief Flight Instructor
Location: Crawley, West Sussex, UK
Job ID: 19527
About the Opportunity:
This is a compelling opportunity to join L3Harris UK, a global team of over 1,400 professionals dedicated to delivering advanced capabilities across air, land, sea, space, and cyber domains for military, security, and commercial clients worldwide. The Deputy Chief Flight Instructor (DCFI) will play a pivotal role in supporting the Chief Flight Instructor (CFI) in the effective management of training activities within an EASA/UKCAA Approved Training Organisation (ATO). This individual will ensure strict adherence to regulatory requirements while upholding the highest standards of training to meet professional airline expectations. The DCFI will act as a crucial link between instructors, trainees, and management, focusing on maintaining safety, standardization, and operational excellence throughout all flight training programs.
Benefits:
L3Harris UK is committed to supporting its employees with a comprehensive benefits package, including:
- 25 days of annual leave, with increases for long service and the option to buy or sell up to 5 days annually.
- Private medical insurance, with optional family coverage.
- A contributory pension scheme with up to 7% employer contribution.
- Life assurance at 4x salary, with flexibility up to 10x.
- Group income protection.
- A selection of flexible opt-in extras such as healthcare cash plans, dental insurance, gym membership, critical illness cover, and a cycle to work scheme.
- An employee assistance program providing mental health and wellbeing support.
- Subsidized staff restaurant.
- Staff car park with electric vehicle charging stations.
Key Responsibilities:
- Operational Management: Assists the CFI in overseeing all flight and ground training activities to ensure compliance with EASA/UKCAA regulations. Supervises instructors, ensuring delivery of training to the highest standards per the approved training syllabus. Coordinates daily training operations, including the scheduling of instructors, trainees, and aircraft/simulators. Serves as the primary point of contact for operational and instructional inquiries in the absence of the CFI.
- Regulatory Compliance: Ensures training programs are aligned with EASA/UKCAA regulatory requirements, including the Approved Training Manual and Operations Manual. Maintains up-to-date knowledge of regulatory changes and assists the CFI in implementing necessary amendments. Supports internal and external audits and addresses any findings.
- Instructor Development: Supports the recruitment, onboarding, and ongoing professional development of flight instructors. Conducts standardization checks and monitors instructor performance to ensure consistent delivery of training. Provides mentorship and feedback to instructors to maintain high training and safety standards.
- Student Support: Monitors trainee progress, providing guidance and interventions to support their success. Addresses trainee concerns and feedback in a professional and timely manner.
- Safety Management: Promotes a culture of safety, ensuring adherence to the ATO’s Safety Management System (SMS). Investigates and reports safety-related incidents during training, implementing corrective actions as required.
- Instructional Duties: Conducts flight and simulator instruction as needed, including initial, recurrent, and advanced training courses. Delivers theoretical knowledge instruction and participates in student assessments.
- Regulatory Compliance Support: Delivers Subject Matter Expert (SME) support for type specific compliance and mandatory fly out activities on the appropriate Flight Simulation Training Device (FSTD).
Qualifications and Experience:
- Essential:
- Must hold or have previously held a valid EASA/UKCAA Airline Transport Pilot License (ATPL) including a Class 1 Medical.
- Possess valid TRI / TRE qualifications on the relevant types, including delivery of training in the last 3 months.
- Demonstrated knowledge of EASA/UKCAA regulations and ATO operations.
- Proven strong leadership and communication skills.
- Desirable:
- Previous experience in a similar leadership role within an ATO.
- Experience with airline training programs (e.g., MPL, APS MCC).
- Working knowledge or experience in a Competency Based Training and Assessment (CBTA) or Evidence Based Training (EBT) environment.
Key Competencies:
- Exceptional organizational and problem-solving abilities.
- Proficiency in managing and mentoring a diverse team of instructors and students.
- Excellent interpersonal skills, fostering a positive and professional training environment.
- Unwavering commitment to safety, compliance, and continuous improvement.
Important Note:
All candidates must have the right to work in the UK to be considered for this role.
Equal Opportunity Employer:
L3Harris Technologies is a proud Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer. It is committed to treating all employees and applicants with respect and dignity, and maintains a workplace free from unlawful discrimination. All applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, national origin, ancestry, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status, disability, genetic information, citizenship status, or membership in any other protected group. L3Harris maintains a drug-free workplace and conducts pre-employment substance abuse testing and background checks, where permitted by law.