At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead flight training, operations, and maintenance for Skyborne Airline Academy.
- Company: Join a leading airline academy focused on safety and operational excellence.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous leave, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Dynamic role with travel between Gloucester and Bournemouth Airport.
- Why this job: Make a significant impact in aviation while ensuring safety and compliance.
- Qualifications: Experience in airline operations and management is essential.
The predicted salary is between 140000 - 150000 £ per year.
The General Manager (FTOM) is responsible for overseeing and aligning Flight Training, Operations, and Maintenance (Fleet Support) functions across Skyborne Airline Academy, ensuring operational excellence and regulatory compliance. The role is expected to include Accountable Manager responsibilities for the UK CAA, EASA, and GCAA and reports to the CEO.
Providing both strategic and operational leadership, the General Manager (FTOM) leads the managers responsible for Fleet Support, Operations and Flight Training, ensuring strong cross-functional collaboration, effective resource management and the safe, efficient and customer‑focused delivery of training activities. This position will be accountable for ensuring aircraft availability, operational effectiveness and training excellence are aligned with business priorities, customer commitments and regulatory obligations. They will lead the promotion of a strong safety culture and a continuous improvement mindset, fostering the highest standards of compliance, quality and operational performance throughout the organisation.
This is a full‐time, onsite role based at Gloucestershire Airport, working 40 hours per week, Monday to Friday. The role also involves travel between our Gloucester and Bournemouth Airport locations to support operational requirements and collaboration across the business.
Responsibilities
- Lead the flight training, operations and maintenance functions in the UK to ensure Skyborne operates safely, efficiently and in full compliance with applicable UK, EASA and GCAA regulatory and organisational requirements.
- Provide strategic oversight of aircraft availability, flight training delivery, operational performance, and customer service standards to achieve business objectives.
- Ensure effective coordination between maintenance planning, operational scheduling, and training delivery to maximise aircraft utilisation, minimise downtime, and optimise training output.
- Establish, implement, and monitor operational standards, policies, procedures, and key performance indicators across flight training, operations, and maintenance functions.
- Ensure all training, operational, and maintenance documentation, records, manuals, and courseware remain accurate, current, compliant, and fit for purpose.
- Champion a proactive safety culture throughout the Academy, working closely with the Head of Safety and Head of Compliance to embed safety, quality, compliance, and human factors principles into all activities and decision‑making processes.
- Collaborate with senior leadership to align operational capabilities, fleet capacity, and training standards with strategic objectives, growth plans, and commercial commitments.
- Oversee workforce, fleet, and facility resource planning, ensuring the effective allocation of personnel, aircraft, maintenance resources, and infrastructure to support operational requirements.
- Support internal and external audits, regulatory inspections, and compliance reviews, ensuring timely and effective closure of actions arising within areas of responsibility.
- Represent the Academy in interactions with regulatory authorities, industry organisations, customers, and external partners on matters relating to flight training, operational performance, and fleet support.
Qualifications
- Minimum of 2 years’ airline and ATO experience (essential).
- Previous airline, operational, and management experience (essential).
- Current or prior experience as SFI/SFE or TRI/TRE (essential).
- Senior management experience in airline, ATO or military (desirable).
- Strong knowledge of UK and US aviation regulatory requirements applicable to flight training, flight operations, safety management, and airworthiness support functions.
- Proven leadership experience managing multidisciplinary teams, with the ability to effectively coordinate training, operational, safety, and technical functions.
- Demonstrated success in driving operational performance, regulatory compliance, quality standards, and continuous improvement initiatives.
- High level of commercial awareness, balancing safety, compliance, customer service, operational effectiveness, and business objectives.
- Ability to interpret aviation regulations, policies, and operational performance data, translating them into practical actions, clear expectations, and measurable outcomes.
Benefits
Salary of £140,000 - £150,000 per annum (DOE). 25 days annual leave + 8.
General Manager, Flight Training, Operations & Maintenance (FTOM) in London employer: Skyborne
Skyborne is an exceptional employer that prioritises the safety and efficiency of its aircraft maintenance operations while fostering a dynamic and progressive work culture. Located at Gloucestershire Airport, employees benefit from a supportive environment that encourages professional growth and development, alongside competitive remuneration and a structured work-life balance with a Monday to Friday schedule. With opportunities for travel and participation in a weekend on-call rotation, Skyborne offers a unique chance to be part of a dedicated team committed to delivering outstanding service standards.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land General Manager, Flight Training, Operations & Maintenance (FTOM) in London
✨Join Aerospace Forums and Groups
Get involved in aerospace engineering forums and online communities, like the AIAA (American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics). It's a great way to meet industry peers and stay updated on job openings and trends in the field.
✨Attend Industry Conferences
Keep an eye on upcoming aerospace conferences and events where you can network with professionals and showcase your interest. Events like the Farnborough International Airshow are not just about flying machines; they're a goldmine for connections and potential job leads.
✨Spotlight Your Projects
Make sure to highlight any hands-on experience or projects on your portfolio that showcase your skills in aerospace engineering. Employers love seeing practical applications of theoretical knowledge. Show us what you've got!
✨Apply Directly on Company Websites
When you find companies you want to work for, head straight to their careers page to apply for full-time roles, like the one with Skyborne for a General Manager, Flight Training, Operations & Maintenance (FTOM). This often puts your application in front of the right people faster than just waiting for job boards!
We think you need these skills to ace General Manager, Flight Training, Operations & Maintenance (FTOM) in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Technical Skills:When applying for the aerospace engineering role at Skyborne, make sure to highlight your technical expertise. Include specific software skills, like CAD tools or simulation software, and any relevant engineering projects you’ve worked on. This is your chance to really shine and showcase your engineering toolkit!
Don't Skip Your Projects!:Include a section in your CV dedicated to projects that demonstrate your problem-solving abilities in aerospace engineering. Whether it's a university project, an internship, or personal work, we love seeing how you’ve applied your skills in real-world scenarios. Make it clear what your role was and the impact of the project.
Show Your Passion in Your Cover Letter:At Skyborne, we're not just looking for skills – we want to know why you’re passionate about aerospace engineering. Use your cover letter to express what excites you about aviation technology and your career goals. Share any relevant experiences or inspirations that have led you to apply for this full-time position.
Tailor Your CV for Aerospace:Make sure your CV is specifically tailored to aerospace engineering. Focus on your education, any certifications, and your work experience, ensuring you highlight aspects that relate directly to the role. Don’t forget to mention any internships or apprenticeships that have given you hands-on experience.
How to prepare for a job interview at Skyborne
✨Brush Up on Your Technical Knowledge
Aerospace engineering is all about technical precision, so make sure you’re comfortable with key concepts like aerodynamics, propulsion, and materials science. We recommend going through any relevant coursework or projects you’ve worked on – these real-world examples can illustrate your understanding during the interview with Skyborne.
✨Showcase Your Projects with Confidence
Make sure to have a portfolio ready that details any significant projects you've worked on, whether it’s a group assignment or a personal endeavour. Be prepared to discuss the challenges you faced, the tools you used, like CAD software, and what you learned from the experience, as this will show your problem-solving skills in action.
✨Prepare for Technical Interviews
Expect some technical questions or even problem-solving exercises during your interview with Skyborne. Get familiar with design challenges or theoretical problems related to aerospace; this can range from calculating lift and drag forces to materials selection under stress. Practising these can help you feel more at ease when faced with tricky questions.
✨Emphasise Your Passion and Teamwork Skills
As a full-time candidate, it’s crucial to convey your passion for aerospace engineering and your ability to work in teams. Highlight any group projects or internships you've done, focusing on how you collaborated with others to achieve a goal. Companies like Skyborne love seeing candidates who not only have technical skills but also fit well within their team culture.
