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Full job description
Date: 11 May 2026
Location: Gatwick, GB
Company: Civil Aviation Authority
Flight Operations Inspector (Fixed Wing)
Salary: Upto £110,000 (Inclusive of a Market Related Supplement, Subject to relevant qualifications & experience)
Contract Type: Permanent Full Time
Security Level: CTC
Location: Gatwick / Hybrid
Visa Restrictions: This position does not currently offer visa sponsorship.
We are the UK’s aviation and aerospace regulator and recognised as a world leader in its field. Our activities are diverse, enabling the aviation industry to meet the highest safety standards, and we pride ourselves on our ability to adapt to the constantly evolving aviation environment.
The Role
This is a role for aviation professionals whose judgement is trusted by operators, by regulators, and by the industry. If you’re motivated by getting flight operations right, this is where your experience counts.
As a Flight Operations Inspector, you’ll work directly with operators, applying real world judgement to approvals, oversight, and safety assurance. This role values experience, independence, and credibility, and gives you the authority to use all three.
You will also interface with all sectors of Industry, from Commercial Air Transport to Specialised Operation to ensure that they are operating in a safe and competent manner in compliance with relevant legislation and requirements.
Core Accountabilities
- Inspect public transport and police operators for competence in relation to legislation and requirements.
- Complete formatted report on inspection results to place on record and advise management of non-compliance’s uncovered during inspection.
- Prioritise non-compliances to establish a timetable of action and check that actions are completed by operator to ensure that appropriate non-compliances have been rectified and steps taken to prevent recurrences.
- Conduct initial flight tests for pilots for the issue of commercial licenses on behalf of Licensing, when so qualified.
- Conduct courses to approve type rating and instrument rating examiners and carry out initial and renewal flight examinations to qualify industry pilots as aircraft type examiners, when so qualified.
- Conduct Training Inspections for the initial grant or revalidation / renewal of Type Rating Examiners, when so qualified.
- Process requests from operators for exemptions and permissions from legislative requirements.
- Influencing Safety and proportionality (Leading beyond authority). Deliver outcomes internationally to mitigate safety concerns or support IG / CAAi International contract delivery where appropriate
Enforcement Action
- To consider all enforcement options available in the toolkit and to highlight issues or concerns that might lead to any level of enforcement activity, either on a regulatory or criminal basis through line management, as appropriate.
- Through line management as appropriate, responsible for making a decision on whether to commission an investigation when a breach of aviation law is suspected or resulting from a recommendation from the IET.
ESP/PBR
- Capture and readily share safety-relevant intelligence, information and analysis from multiple internal and external sources with all CAA groups.
- Understand and apply ESP principles of Performance Based Oversight in accordance with the ESP linear process and consistent with the wider CAA approach to Performance Based Regulation
- Deliver outcome-focussed oversight which considers the statutory compliance obligations, risk and performance with a safety outcome focus. Escalate risks to the appropriate level within SARG.
About You
Essential Criteria
- Evidence of a qualification in areas related to aviation.
- Proven ability in a managerial position within SARG, the CAA or a commercial air transport operator/ Approved Training Organisation.
- Proven ability in the use of management systems, business planning, performance management monitoring (safety and business), risk assessment and mitigation, training development and the management of change.
- Proven Experience of Resource Management and oversight Governance
- For certain functions (Manager posts ii & iii), adequate time spent in command of aircraft employed in public transport operations or as an Instructor/Senior Examiner, and time spent in a managerial or training post working for a UK AOC holder or Approved Training Organisation. For certain posts, hold an Air Transport Pilot’s Licence granted by the CAA.
- Sufficient aviation experience to comprehend the manner in which the team manages its tasks and will have a broad understanding of a variety of technical issues so can monitor, guide and make decisions on major safety issues involving the section.
- Able to evidence time spent in command of aircraft employed in Commercial Air Transport operations, or equivakent, or as an Instructor/Senior Examiner, and time spent in a managerial or training post working for a UK AOC holder or Approved Training Organisation.
- Hold an Air Transport Pilot’s Licence granted by the CAA.
- Sufficient aviation experience to comprehend the way the team manages its tasks and will have a broad understanding of a variety of technical issues so can monitor, guide and make decisions on major safety issues involving the section.
- Have an excellent appreciation of the issues and the practicality of the decisions they are making.
- Demonstrated success in the implementation and application of management systems, business planning, performance monitoring (both safety and operational), risk assessment and mitigation, training development, and effective change management.
- Proven experience in resource management, including governance oversight and accountability.
- Highly developed interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively as part of a team and to respond promptly, calmly, and appropriately to unexpected or urgent situations.
- Professional, polite, empathetic, and tactful in all interactions.
- A highly organised individual with the ability to exercise initiative and plan effectively to achieve results.
- Confident and robust decision-maker, capable of balancing risk, priorities, and outcomes.
- Possesses a strong analytical and enquiring mindset, focused on identifying process gaps and driving continuous improvement through practical, solution-oriented recommendations.
- Adaptable and resilient, with the ability to manage, adjust, and accommodate shifting or unconventional work priorities as required.
- Full UK driving licence
Desirable Criteria
- Experience as a Nominated Person for AOC or ATO
- Proven level of modern IT skills
Additional Security Information: For many appointments within the CAA, these roles require access to operationally sensitive infrastructure and/or Nationally Protected information. For these roles the post holders must undergo National Security Vetting and achieve the appropriate level of clearance. If you do not meet these requirements, we may not be able to accept your application. To be vetted we will usually expect a reasonable period of residency in the UK so that meaningful checks can be undertaken. For this role this will need to be 3 years. For more information on CTC clearance please visit – Vetting explained – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Relocation & Property: The CAA will be relocating from Aviation House (Our Gatwick Office) to new premises in a few years’ time. Our move is driven by strategic, operational, and environmental considerations. We will be moving to a new local home, up to a 15-mile radius of Aviation House, to minimise disruption for our valued colleagues and customers. We are now working with colleagues and visitors to understand what we need in our new office before we start our property search. We will sell Aviation House and land, vacate the site, and move to new premises, but we do not expect to move before 2028
Inclusive Recruitment: We are passionate about diversity and ensuring all are included at the CAA. We are an equal opportunity employer and actively encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds. As a member of the Disability Confident scheme, applicants who meet the minimum criteria for a role with us will be guaranteed an interview. We use fair and inclusive selection approaches to hire the best person for the job based on merit alone. If you require an adjustment for any reason, please let us know.
Use of Artificial Intelligence by candidates in the CAA recruitment process: We recognise that many of our candidates find Artificial Intelligence to be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be rejected on that basis.
Working With Us: We are on a journey towards being increasingly adaptable, where our colleagues collaborate as part of cross-functional teams. This approach ensures we never stop learning together. It also means that you may become involved in activities that take you out of your day-to-day role, providing you with opportunities to develop and grow your career with us.
We have embraced hybrid working and offer flexible working patterns, being open to having a conversation about what works for you. We know where and when we work is important in achieving a work-life balance. We offer a range of excellent benefits such as flexible working arrangements, free onsite gym at Gatwick, discounted gym membership for London, 28 days annual leave, additional 5 days leave purchase scheme, a generous pension scheme and much more!
Our Values: Do The Right Thing, Never Stop Learning, Build Collaborative Relationships, Respect Everyone –
Closing Date: 25May 2026
Interview Date: WC 8 June – in person Gatwick
The CAA values high ethical standards and personal integrity among employees. If invited for interview you will be asked to complete a declaration of interest.
We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.
No recruitment agencies please.
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