UP AND AWAY: FLIGHT OPERATIONS CO-ORDINATOR APPRENTICESHIP

Have you ever thought about a career in aviation? With Liverpool John Lennon Airport having rebranded as part of celebrating its 90^th birthday, we take a look at the latest apprenticeship in aviation.

As you sit back and relax on a flight with drinks and nibbles there is a lot going on behind the scenes to get you to your destination safely and efficiently.  A Flight Operations Co-ordinator plays an important role providing support both prior to and during the flight. This can include technical information and operational information needed by the air crew. 

What type of things might you expect to be involved with as a Flight Operations Co-ordinator?

You could be: assessing planned flights; looking at weather conditions; route planning; determining aircraft performance; investigating airport facilities; recording an aircraft’s technical condition and its fuel requirements and more. You’ll be responsible for making decisions that make sure the aircraft is ready to fly and get to a destination safely. Once in the air you’ll be monitoring the flight and providing information to the air crew to ensure the flight is a success. 

As you can imagine, you’ll work with a number of other people and organisations.

These could be aviation engineers, airfields, and parts suppliers. Aviation is a highly regulated sector as well as being a commercial one too. You’ll find yourself working out how to comply with regulations, but also improve flight efficiency for commercial operations.  The role of Flight Operations Co-ordinator is an important and valued role. You’ll have a significant financial and operational impact on the organisation you are working for because you’ll be at the heart of delivering successful aviation operations. This means you’ll be working alongside support schedulers, who arrange the crew rosters and liaising with air traffic control and the aircrew during the flight, providing them with information that impacts their route. You’ll not just be responsible for one flight. Typically you’ll be coordinate several flights at the same time.

So what type of organisations might you work for?

You’ll find Flight Operations Co-ordinators across a wide range of organisations in the aviation sector.  This includes a sub-sector called general aviation, think private planes and helicopters. A large sector is commercial aviation, the aircraft and companies you are used to going on holiday with.  Then there is military aviation. The Flight Operations Co-ordinator’s role in each of these sectors may vary depending on aircraft and sector. Also you’ll find that you’ll be part of a highly organised team. You could be based on or off site, at commercial airports, military bases or aerodromes. You’ll also be working in shifts to be able cover a 24-hour operation, particularly if you work in the military sector.

To study to be a Flight Operations Co-ordinator apprentice you will need to have level 2 English and maths prior to the end of the apprenticeship. To pass the apprenticeship you will be observed at work by an independent assessor for at least 2 hours and be asked at least 6 questions. You’ll also have a 60 minute interview with an independent assessor and compile a portfolio of what you have learnt during your apprenticeship.

If you’ve dreamed of working in aviation a Flight Operations Co-ordinator job is exciting and challenging. Why not explore an apprenticeship for this role further?