Merlin (AW101/EH101) Simulator Instructor in Benson

Join our military helicopter simulator training team at RAF Benson, delivering training across the Chinook, Merlin and possible future platforms. This opportunity focuses on instruction within the Merlin Simulator, supporting the development of military & SAR aircrew through realistic training scenarios. The successful candidate will deliver simulator-based instruction, assessment, and mentoring to students and operational crews across a broad range of operational environments.

Training Delivery

• Deliver whole-crew training in the Merlin Simulator.
• Convert ab-initio students from aircraft type training to operational deployment.
• Teach and mentor crews across the aircraft’s capabilities, techniques and tactics using realistic day and night scenarios.
• Plan, brief, set up and conduct simulator sorties from the Instructor Operating Station (IOS) or Tactical Control Centre (TCC).
• Deliver instruction in aircraft systems, emergency drills, principles of flight, standard operating procedures and other subjects within the approved conversion syllabus.
• Provide instruction relevant to single-aircraft and multi-aircraft operations.
• Act as a role-player during training, including the provision of air traffic control, supporting players and additional crew roles.
• Support training on other aircraft types from the TCC where appropriate.

Assessment and Debriefing

• Assess trainee and crew performance against the required standard.
• Use the Digital Recording and Playback system to support effective crew debriefing.
• Complete post-sortie documentation, including trainee performance reports and entries within the Training Management Information System.
• Instruct and assess Crew Resource Management principles.

Safety and Training Management

• Manage training events safely, effectively and efficiently.
• Ensure the safety of personnel within the DMS and provide safety briefs where required.
• Report flight safety trends and occurrences to the appropriate senior instructor and submit a DASOR where necessary.
• Inform the Senior Instructor, their deputy, the Military Liaison Officer or other stakeholders of faults or delays that may affect a DMS sortie or the published training schedule.

Professional Standards

• Maintain an appropriate level of handling and non-handling knowledge and skill to support training, testing, evaluation, visits and fault-finding.
• Maintain professional knowledge across the full spectrum of Support Helicopter operations.
• Use relevant mission planning and ground support systems to support the delivery of training.
• Undertake periodic standardisation checks by RAF Central Flying School (CFS) staff, Joint Aviation Command Aviation Standards, and internal CAE examiners.
• Complete mandated training and attend relevant courses as directed by the Senior Instructor, Chief Instructor and/or Customer and Operational Services Manager.

Training Development

• Design and develop Squadron Training Modules as directed by the Senior Instructor.
• Originate and amend courseware as required.
• Review and amend publications where appropriate.

Additional Duties

• In exceptional circumstances the role may also require the post holder to operate the IOS or TCC on an aircraft type for which they are not qualified.
• Deliver CBT or computer-aided instruction in ground school on an aircraft type for which they are qualified when the Ground School Instructor is unavailable.
• Support the TCC manager in both his TCC and Test & Evaluation roles.

Minimum Qualifications

• Ex-military Central Flying School (CFS) accredited B1 or higher Qualified Helicopter Instructor (QHI).
• Relevant helicopter instructional experience.
• Demonstrated training, coaching, and mentoring capability.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Leadership and teamworking skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and other relevant IT systems.
• Ability to obtain, transfer, or currently hold the required security clearance.
• Eligibility to live and work in the United Kingdom.
• Applicants requiring company-sponsored UK Security Clearance must normally have resided continuously in the UK for the previous five years, in accordance with current clearance requirements.

Preferred Qualifications

• Merlin operational or instructional experience.
• Merlin experience Tactical or Search and Rescue experience.
• Experience delivering simulator-based military aircrew training.
• Experience supporting mission planning systems and tactical training environments.
• Instrument Rating Examiner qualifications or eligibility to obtain the qualification.
• Experience developing military training syllabi, courseware, or instructional materials.
• Qualified Helicopter Tactics Instructor (QHTI).