EC135/145 NVIS Police Pilots – England

Location: National Police Air Service

Role Profile Attachment Job Advert

This vacancy has been advertised externally.

Line Pilot (Rotary) National Police Air Service NPAS Bases – North Weald, Redhill, St Athan, Birmingham, Barton and National Line Pilots (Touring Roles). Permanent posts, 37 hours per week.

CLOSING DATE: 2nd August 2026

Here at the National Police Air Service (NPAS), we’re looking for helicopter pilots to join our team which provides air support across England and Wales, 365 days a year. On a daily basis, NPAS helps save lives, tackle criminality and keep people and communities safe. Flying to more than 20,000 tasks every year, crews provide effective aerial support to ground-based officers and improve operational response to incidents within the highest safety standards.

Working alongside Tactical Flight Officers, NPAS Pilots have the opportunity to make good use of their skills and experience on a variety of police missions including fast-paced, dynamic tasks such as:

• Pursuit of stolen vehicles
• Searching for missing persons/suspects
• Support for firearms incidents

Pilots also fly to pre-planned tasks, which can include support for large public events such as the London Marathon, Heads of State visits and large demonstrations. On occasion, pilots are called upon to land so the crew can assist people in distress.

What we can offer you:

• Fixed roster pattern offering a stable working routine and the ability to plan many months ahead.
• Pilots operate in accordance with the approved Flight Time Limitation (FTL).
• 19 days annual leave per year (19 x 12hr shifts) – on a 4 on, 4 off shift pattern means you can have 12 consecutive days off by booking 4 consecutive days annual leave.
• Additional annual leave/overtime for public holidays.
• Additional annual leave upon completion of 5 years’ service.
• Career average revalued earnings (CARE) pension scheme.
• Potential to transfer to another NPAS base across England and Wales including touring pilot positions.
• Medical expenses for maintaining Class 1 medical.
• A Loss of Licence Insurance scheme.
• Death in service payment.

In order to be considered for the role you must have the following:

• Minimum of a UK Commercial Pilot’s Licence (Helicopter) with RT Licence and Class 1 Medical (unrestricted) and English language proficiency level 6.
• A minimum of 1,500 hours or 1000 military helicopter total flying time which must include an absolute minimum of 100 hours flying at night including 20 hours PIC at night, 500 hours PIC overland under VMC.
• You must also be able to evidence significant overland experience in a comparable operating environment.
• Ability to work as part of a team and be a self-starter.
• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely to the crew while carrying out other tasks.
• A full UK driving licence.
• Have been resident in the UK for at least the last 3 years.

NPAS is an operator of Single Pilot Aircraft conducting commercial operations. In line with UK Aviation Regulation, all pilots must hold a UK CAA Class 1 medical for Single Pilot Commercial Operations Carrying Passengers, which has an upper age limit of 60 years. Applicants should be aware that it is not always possible to carry out adequate vetting checks on persons who have not been resident within the UK for the last three years. Therefore, where this applies, applicants may be refused on the grounds that it was not possible to vet them to the appropriate standard.

These posts are suitable for job share. The application process will close at 23:55 hours on the 2nd August 2026. As part of the recruitment process, applicants will be required to fly in a 135 simulator and pass an interview panel. Selection will take place on 25th & 26th August 2026 at Gloucester Airport. Please note that we will be unable to progress your application if you are unable to attend one of these selection dates.

Any enquiries relating to this role or application process should be directed to NPAS Recruitment and not to the West Yorkshire Police Resourcing Department. This recruitment is aiming for various start dates in 2027.

About NPAS:

NPAS provides borderless air support to all police forces of England and Wales, 365 days a year, from a national network of 14 bases. NPAS exists to keep communities safe and tasks which pose the highest risk to communities are prioritised in line with local police and crime plans. All requests for air support are managed through our national Operations Centre. NPAS was formed in October 2012 following the national review of air support conducted by the Home Office in 2009. We are the first and only collaboration of all police forces in England and Wales, regulated by law. NPAS is delivered by West Yorkshire Police on behalf of British Policing and governed by a National Board made up of nine elected Police and Crime Commissioners and nine Chief Constables each representing their policing regions. It is funded through the collaborative agreement of participating police forces to each pay a proportionate contribution toward this overall cost of delivery which corresponds to their service use.

West Yorkshire Police is committed to improving the diversity of its workforce to better reflect the diverse communities we serve. We welcome applications from all minority groups and individuals who identify with one or more of the protected characteristics as defined by the Equality Act 2010.

For a detailed description of the Competency and Values levels required please refer to the Competency and Values Framework. This document will assist you in completing the Evidence of Achievement section of the application form. Please note: the Evidence of Achievement section will not be visible until the employment section has been completed.

All NPAS staff and officers have access to an in-house peer support scheme. All peer supporters are fully trained and will listen and help staff during difficult times.