About This Role
British Antarctic Survey is recruiting Air Unit pilots to operate DHC-6 Twin Otters in Antarctica and on international science campaigns. The role combines safe, autonomous flying in extreme and remote environments with leadership of small teams, delivery of cargo and passengers to remote locations, manual loading and unloading, and servicing scientific instruments and fuel depots. Pilots may be deployed to Rothera for periods of up to six months between October and February, spend up to eight months of the year outside the UK, and support hangar, community, training and operational activities in addition to flying.
Duties & Responsibilities
- Pilots are responsible to the Chief Pilot for the safe and efficient operation of BAS aircraft and for implementing the BAS Flying Programme as directed by Air Unit Management.
- Duties include achieving operational objectives safely and efficiently, supporting the wider goals of BAS and its collaborators, complying with the BAS Air Operations Manual and applicable airworthiness authority regulations, and reporting progress, deficiencies and faults to the Chief Pilot or Deputy Chief Pilot.
- Pilots fly operational, flight-testing and training missions and keep the necessary licences and approvals current for operations in Antarctica and elsewhere.
- The role requires excellent leadership, initiative, situational awareness and adaptability in remote environments.
- When deployed to Rothera, pilots also support Air Unit hangar operations and wider activities that support the station community, undertake other duties assigned by station or line management, and show due regard for colleagues in close working and living conditions.
- Representative work allocation is 50% flying, 30% operational and training duties, 10% secondary and administrative duties, and 10% general duties, although this may vary with operational demands.
- Flying duties include delivering cargo and passengers to remote locations, leading and participating in manual loading and unloading, and servicing scientific instruments and fuel depots, including digging out equipment and fuel drums after the Antarctic winter.
What We Offer
The position is offered as an open-ended appointment in Cambridge with a salary of £37,614–£69,727 per annum.BAS Air Unit pilots are contracted for 221 working days and 144 days of leave per year.The working arrangement includes Antarctic deployments of up to six months between October and February, international science campaigns, and training flying and simulator time in Calgary, Canada.
Requirements
- Essential requirements include a UK CAA Part-FCL ATPL or ATPL(A) MCC qualification, or an equivalent ICAO licence and qualifications that may be considered case by case, together with 2,500 accrued flying hours and experience in both multi-crew and single-pilot operations.
- Applicants must be able to identify hazards, dynamically assess and manage risk, apply appropriate mitigations and safe systems of work, communicate effectively in person and across remote networks, and demonstrate strong leadership while also following direction from others with greater situational or environmental knowledge.
- The role requires autonomous and collaborative decision-making, an understanding of group dynamics and conflict resolution, mental and physical robustness, and a strong sense of adventure.
- Desirable qualifications and experience include a Twin Otter type rating, 1,500 hours in command, and experience working autonomously in remote environments, including responding to incidents and developing contingency plans.
- Pilots must keep the licences and approvals needed to operate BAS aircraft current.
- The role holder must have the appropriate level of security screening or vetting, and any employment offer is subject to passing a BASMU Medical because of the mandatory Antarctic deployment.
- BAS applies operational age restrictions: single-pilot operations with passengers are not undertaken after age 60, and the retirement age is 65.
- The page states that the only potential Skilled Worker visa sponsorship is for an individual who already holds a qualifying Skilled Worker visa issued for another role or employer before 4 April 2024 and meets the stated salary threshold.