Tom Martin

Experience

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  Preston Grain Store

  Aug 1977 - Sept 1979

  Grain Store Operative

  Responsible for the drying, storage and dispatch of 7000 tons of grain annually; along with the manufacturing of animal feed.

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  British Army

  Oct 1977 - Dec 1997

  Major

  A non-typical career profile retiring as a Major. Joined the Army, commissioned in 1980 into the Royal Artillery, before successfully training to be an Army Pilot in 1984, eventually transferring the Army Air Corps in 1988. Qualified as a Helicopter Flying Instructor in 1989, teaching ab initio students to fly, before taking up a position at the RAF's world renowned Central Flying School - Shawbury, as a staff instructor teaching potential helicopter flying instructors.Last tour was with the Royal Marines 3 Commando Brigade Air Squadron, which was de-commissioned and reformed as 847 Naval Air Squadron - Yeovilton.Operational experience - Northern Ireland, Falklands War 1982. Show less

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  Royal Military Academy Sandhurst

  May 1980 - Dec 1980

  Office Cadet
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  Royal Artillery

  Dec 1980 - May 1984

  Lieutenant

  Light Gunner and Troop Commander of 50 personnel in camp and 80-90 when deployed.Last 9 months as Assistant Adjutant in a 450 all rank regiment; responsible for regimental administration, discipline, personnel welfare and development.

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  Royal Artillery

  Jul 1984 - Apr 1985

  Lieutenant

  Army Pilots Course

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  Royal Artillery & Army Air Corps

  Apr 1985 - Jun 1989

  Captain

  Flight Commander of 6 aircraft for almost the first 2 years, before transferring to the Army Air Corps in 1988 to remain in post as the Squadron's Second in Command of an independent 12 aircraft squadron totalling 120 all ranks. Responsibilities of the Second in Command cover all unit administrative details, personnel professional management and welfare, discipline and operational preparedness.

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  Royal Air Force (RAF)

  Jun 1989 - Aug 1989

  Captain

  Qualified Helicopter Instructor course.

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  Army Air Corps

  Aug 1989 - Jan 1991

  Captain

  Flight Commander and staff flying instructor for student Army pilots.

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  Royal Air Force (RAF)

  Jan 1991 - Aug 1993

  Major

  Staff Instructor teaching potential student helicopter flying instructors.

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  3 Commando Brigade Air Squadron Royal Marines

  Aug 1993 - Aug 1995

  Major

  Squadron Qualified Helicopter Instructor - see 847 Naval Air Squadron above.3 BAS was de-commissioned on 31 Aug 1995 and re-formed on 1 Sep 1995 as 847 NAS

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  847 Naval Air Squadron - Royal Navy

  Sept 1995 - Nov 1997

  Major

  As the Squadron Qualified Helicopter Instructor (RM)/Training Office (RN) leading a small team of 3 instructors; to prioritise and deliver the training needs for 50 pilots, in accordance with defence policy and guidelines, for worldwide operational readiness. Training covered both general flying skill, as well as Night Vision Goggles, tactical aviation practices, standardisation, examination, evaluation; covering a wide spectrum on theatres, such as: ships operations, arctic/cold weather flying and mountain flying.Career Highlight:Enabling the smooth transition for 3 BAS into the Royal Navy's Fleet Air Arm, from Army to Naval regulations by writing all of training, policies, guidelines and documentation from 'scratch'. Show less

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  POLICE AVIATION SERVICES LIMITED

  Nov 1997 - May 2014

  Transferred under TUPE to National Police Air Service - see above. Company locum pilot, covering contracted bases throughout England for pilot abstractions. Flying duties varied between bases, depending on contracts; but were a mix of: police, police and air ambulance, or purely air ambulance.Career highlight:To be selected from a pool of 70 Company pilots to become the first operational pilot for the Company's newest helicopter - the MD 902 Explorer.

  • Senior Pilot

    Nov 2007 - May 2014

  • Line Pilot

    Oct 2005 - Nov 2007

  • Pilot

    Nov 1997 - Oct 2005
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  POLICE AVIATION SERVICES LIMITED & National Police Air Service

  Oct 1998 - May 2019

  Line Training Captain

  Responsible for the delivery and ongoing training for police pilots, both ab initio and accredited pilots, to enable them to be 'fit for role'; ensuring compliance with national procedures, policy and aviation documentation.

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  National Police Air Service

  May 2014 - May 2019

  Senior Pilot

  Transferred under TUPE to remain in role.Responsible for the Unit's operational delivery to the National Police Air Service, to meet the demands of tasking stakeholders, ensuring compliance within national procedures and aviation law. Further responsibilities include the Unit's airworthiness and aviation documentation, along with the training and currency of the 5 base pilots, crew rostering and aviation standardisation. Also responsible for both internal and external aviation base audits. Show less

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  Pen and Sword Books

  Dec 2017 - now

  Book Author

  The Royal Artillery played a vital, though often forgotten, part in the British armed forces successful operation to re-capture of the Falkland Islands in 1982. However, the actions of the artillery were recorded by one young officer in a journal which he kept before, during and after the conflict. Second Lieutenant Tom Martin was a Command Post Officer with 29 (Corunna) Field Battery RA which deployed to the South Atlantic in 1982 as part of the Task Force dispatched to retake the Falklands. With its six 105mm Light Guns making the journey on the MV Europic Ferry, the Battery sailed south on the MV Norland with 2 Para, joining 3 Commando Brigade for the landings. The five gun batteries of the Royal Artillery, totalling thirty light field guns, fired a tremendous number of shells on the Argentine forces. For its part, 29 (Corunna) Field Battery fired the first Fire Mission of the conflict and continued to operate in support of the infantry until the Argentine surrender, in the most testing environment and against considerable odds. Whilst in the South Atlantic, Tom Martin sought to detail and record the action on the Battery's gun position. Supported by the recollections of some of those he served alongside, and a remarkable series of then and now images taken during a return visit to the islands in early 2017, his notes and diary entries form the basis of this book; a vivid, blow-by-blow account which provides a comprehensive picture of the Royal Artillery and its pivotal role in the Falklands War. Show less

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  Commercial Police Helicopter Pilot and Commercial Aviation

  May 2019 - Jul 2019

  CareerTransition
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  Aviation Systems Group Ltd

  Jul 2019 - now

  • Chief Instructor, Flight Instructor and Examiner at Aviation Systems Group

    Aug 2022 - now

  • Chief Instructor, Flight Instructor and Examiner at Aviation Systems Group

    Aug 2022 - now

  • Chief Ground School Instructor, Flight Instructor and Examiner

    Jul 2019 - now