Flight Operations Inspector

Flight Operations Inspector - Rick Newson

I’ve been here 6 years. I joined as a Flight Operations Inspector on helicopters. Besides having a great reputation, the CAA offers real variety for a professional pilot – I was head of training for the police services prior to joining, but this exposes you to all areas of the industry. Plus you get the opportunity to fly.

As a Flight Operations Training Inspector (Helicopters) I carry out a variety of tasks within a fascinating area of commercial aviation jobs. My role involves a mixed process of inspection and liaison with a number of assigned organisations. I have a range of offshore, police and ambulance operators, which are typically assigned by geographical region or type of operation.

My responsibilities cover observation and approval of Type Rating Examiners/Instructors and CRMIEs (Crew Resource Management Instructor Examiners), assessment of Flight Simulators and conducting initial Helicopter Instrument Rating Tests. This can happen anywhere in the world where a UK company conducts its training. Training inspection tasking occupies around 6 days of the month and a further 4 days are allocated to line flying with a suitable operator. Where particularly important topics are identified, appropriately qualified FOIs are also allocated a ‘gateway’ role - thereby becoming the conduit for that particular industry specialisation. In my case it’s Police Operations and Crew Resource Management.

No two weeks are the same. For example, this week I’ve conducted two instrument ratings in an Agusta A109, flown the line in Aberdeen, observed an armed robbery vehicle pursuit on a flight check and made technical comment upon two operations manuals.

Since joining I’ve really learned the ins and outs of the industry. I get to travel 12,000 miles a year, worldwide, but I also get to manage my own diary, so I can get the work/life balance right, which is great when you have a family. The CAA is extremely flexible – and seriously a great investor in people. They’re always looking for new blood. All you have to do is take advantage of everything the CAA has to offer.