William Thompson Cfs B.Eng(Hons)

Experience

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  Royal Navy

  Sept 1998 - Oct 2015

  Mar 2013 - Oct 2015• As the first Dauphin Senior Operator within the Duty Holder construct, created theDauphin N2 Safety Case, managed MAA regulatory compliance and oversaw the successful inaugural MAA audit of the FOST aviation department.• Orchestrated and delivered complex aviation warfare training preparing UK and foreign warships for military operations worldwide.• As Head of the aviation Department led a team of 16 specialist aviation instructors overcoming organisational change and departmental manpower constraints. Show less Mar 2011 - Mar 2013• Designed, co-ordinated and instructed 2 bespoke aircrew training courses qualifying 24 aircrew and 30 RAF Regiment snipers for Operation Olympic and generated an air to air sniping capability for UK Defence. This resulted in being awarded a Maritime Component Commander's commendation for special contribution to the provision of air security during the 2012 London Olympic games.• Meticulously planned, coordinated and executed the Squadron 2-yearly Naval Flying Standards Flight audit achieving a rare 'Good' assessment.• Pioneered the expansion and diversification of mountain flying training which optimised the safety of Squadron aircrew in the conduct of this specialist discipline.• Conducted the first overseas Squadron-wide winter mountain flying detachment to the Bavarian Alps which included delivering pilot instruction to conduct safe landings in Moderate/Heavy recirculating snow conditions.• Managed the professional flying qualifications and flying currency of 70 aircrew.• Refined 20 existing air courses for pilots, observers, snipers and aircrewmen.• Managed aircrew pre-deployment training for military operations worldwide in over 20 Royal Navy warships and Royal Fleet Auxiliary units.• Managed the programming of Squadron training and operational output.• Standardised junior aircrew instructors and delivered a comprehensive Training Directive of aviation disciplines including low level navigation, SAR, aerial photography, close formation and CALS.• Optimised and maintained Squadron aviation standards and practices. Show less Oct 2009 - Mar 2011• Provided specialist aviation advice to the Captain delivering safe execution of high tempo flying operations extending over a 7 1/2 month deployment to the South Atlantic.• Managed the Aviation Department comprising a team of junior aircrew, air engineering technicians and an aircraft controller. Provided professional appraisals and achieved the promotion of team members to their next rank.• Conducted an extensive environmental impact assessment utilising aerial photography of extremely remote glacial mountainous terrain in South Georgia. The evidence gathered during this prolonged and challenging mountain flying operation has since been used to conduct vital work to preserve the delicate ecosystem.• Created a cohesive team environment and with the close support of my maintenance manager delivered 98% availability of the helicopter asset to the Captain.Additional Qualifications• Royal Navy Under Water Escape Training Unit (2015)• Flight Safety (2014)• Duty Holder Aviation Safety Manager (2013)• Chartered Management Institute Level 7 Strategic Management and Leadership (2010)• Intermediate Command Staff Course (2010)• First Aid level 2 (2009)• Cleared to a high government standard (2008)• Crew Resource Management (2005)• Aviation Medicine (2004)• Line Manager (2001)• Combat Survival (1999)• BEng(Hons) Civil Engineering - University of Southampton (1997)Supplementary information• British passport• Full clean UK driving license• Awarded the Westland Trophy and the Bristol Siddeley Trophy for best performances in the air and on the ground respectively during QHI course at CFS• BASI and ESC qualified ski instructor• RYA level 2 power boat and yachting Day Skipper• Leisure interests: skiing, snowboarding, kitesurfing, golf, squash, swimming, mountain biking, reading and guitar. Show less ROYAL NAVY2007-2009 Pilot Training Officer at 702 NAS2006 QHI training at Central Flying School, RAF Shawbury2005-2006 Instrument Rating Instructor and Maritime Counter Terrorism (MCT) pilot at 815 NAS2003-2005 Flight Pilot in HMS GRAFTON2002-2003 Pilot Certificate of Competency in HMS CUMBERLAND2001-2002 Advanced Rotary Flying Training at RNAS Yeovilton2000-2001 Basic Rotary Flying Training at RAF Shawbury1999-2000 Flying grading & Joint Elementary Flying Training at RAF Cranwell & RAF Barkston Heath1998-1999 Britannia Royal Naval College Basic training Show less

  • FLAG OFFICER SEA TRAINING - Staff Warfare Officer (Aviation)

    Sept 1998 - Oct 2015

  • 815 NAVAL AIR SQUADRON Training Officer

    Sept 1998 - Oct 2015

  • HMS GLOUCESTER - Flight Commander, maritime Lynx Mk8 helicopter

    Sept 1998 - Oct 2015

  • Royal Navy - Early career

    Sept 1998 - Oct 2015
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  National Police Air Service

  Sept 2015 - Nov 2021

  Police Air Support - NVIS Line Training Captain

  Operating the EC135 single pilot day, night (incl. NVIS), VFR and IFR in the Police Air Support role. Area of operation included Surrey, Sussex, Kent, London and further afield. NVIS LTC qualified including FCCRM(T).Tasks included:- Pursuit of vehicles & suspects on foot- High risk missing person searches- VVIP transfer- Aerial reconnaissance- Surveillance - demonstrations, public assemblies- Firearm incidents- Delivering emergency critical care

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  Royal Navy

  Mar 2016 - Mar 2018

  Simulator Instructor - Royal Navy Reservist

  Lynx Simulator Instructor - part-time reservist role delivering continuation training to front line 815 NAS pilots and observers.

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  Gama Aviation

  Nov 2021 - Feb 2025

  HEMS - NVIS Line Training Captain - Air Ambulance Charity Kent Surrey Sussex

  Operating the AW169 in a Multi Pilot HEMS operation day and throughout the night on NVIS across Kent, Surrey & Sussex with occasional mutual aid support to London and Hampshire. Employed as a Line Training Captain, Operations Support Pilot and Unit Flight Safety Officer. Based at Air Ambulance Charity Kent Surrey Sussex, Redhill Aerodrome, Surrey.

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  UNI-FLY

  Feb 2025 - now

  Offshore Captain ATPL(H) IR AW169

  Operating the AW169 from Humberside and Dundee supporting offshore wind and oil & gas contracts.