Hours: 4 on / 4 off shift (2 days 07.00 - 19.00 /2 nights 19.00 - 07.00)
Location: Crawley, West Sussex (no remote or hybrid working due to the nature of the role)
Contract: Permanent
Closing Date: 19th January 2025
In a nutshell
At Virgin Atlantic Airways, we believe that everyone can take on the world, and it's our vision to become the most loved travel company. As we embark on this next exciting stage of our journey, we're harnessing our spirit of entrepreneurship and innovation to challenge the status quo.
Our Flight Planning department based in our OCC is on the lookout for those that would love to come and be a part of an incredible Network Operations team as a Specialist - Flight Planner, so would encourage applications from those who want to be part of our journey to become the World’s Most Loved Airline.
As a Specialist - Flight Planner at Virgin Atlantic, you'll be responsible for creating Operational Flight Plans (OFP) and Briefing Documentation for all company flights world-wide, in accordance with company and UK CAA operations manuals.
Based in our Operations Control Centre (OCC), the team plays an integral part in the delivery of the Virgin Atlantic flying programme, ensuring flights are planned in a safe, efficient, and regulatory compliant manner. To achieve this, the team must assess a wide range of tactical information including meteorological data, Airfield NOTAMs and airspace ATC flow restrictions.
Day to day
* Creating safe, compliant, cost-efficient Operational Flight Plans (OFP) and Briefing material for all Virgin Atlantic flights world-wide, that are released in compliance with both Company Operations Manuals and UK Air Ops.
* Ensuring that the OFP is delivered to flight crew within agreed timeframes along with all appropriate briefing materials (E.g., NOTAMs, SigWx charts, NAT Tracks, Volcanic Ash, etc). File the FPL with all relevant ANSPs and highlight any significant issues to the flight crew and brief them if required.
* Conducting aircraft take-off and landing performance calculations. Understand and apply performance-limiting MEL defects.
* When required, provide in-flight support for company aircraft, including re-analysis of fuel critical scenarios, ETOPs alternates, and changes to the route, to aid the safe & efficient continuation of the flight.
* Monitoring of real-time messages (Eurocontrol NMP, SITA, AFTN, ACARS and email), ensuring appropriate action is taken, as required. Use tactical information to monitor airspace & airfield restrictions, providing a timely solution to operational delays. Accurate event logging enabling effective operational reviews and trend tracking.
* Provision of subject-matter related technical training and continuous review of Flight Planning related documentation to maintain compliance in role.
* Positively connect with all key stakeholders and customers using operational facts, regulations and standard processes and confidently distil complex and sophisticated technical issues into readily understandable information.
About you
Are you a professional in the world of aviation with a background in an Airline or Flight Planning environment?
Do you have experience as an International Flight Planner, coupled with exposure of North Atlantic/ETOPS planning procedures?
In addition to the above, we are looking for our successful candidate to demonstrate the following:
* Operational experience in a Flight Planning environment (North Atlantic and/or ETOPS advantageous)
* Have satisfactorily completed a formal training course as a Flight Planner or Flight Dispatcher
* Knowledge of Flight Planning systems & Crew Briefing Procedures
* Knowledge of aircraft performance capabilities
* Knowledge of aeronautical data and navigation charts
* Understanding of aviation regulations and compliance requirements related to flight planning.
* Experience in other operational areas of the aviation industry (flight ops, engineering, aircraft weight and balance, airport ops, regulatory bodies or commercial).
* Experience of working in a 24/7 shift environment including OCC or similar.
Be yourself
Our customers come from all walks of life and so do our colleagues. That’s why we’re proud to be an equal opportunity employer and actively encourage applications from all backgrounds. At Virgin Atlantic, we believe everyone can take on the world - no matter your age, gender, gender identity, gender expression, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disabilities, religion, or beliefs. We celebrate difference and everything that makes our colleagues unique by upholding an inclusive environment in which we can all thrive. So that everyone at Virgin Atlantic can be themselves and know they belong.
To make your journey with us accessible and individual to you, we encourage you to let us know if you’d like a little extra help with your application, or if you have any individual requirements at any stage along your recruitment journey. We are here to support you, so please reach out to our team, ( recruitment@fly.virgin.com) feeling confident that we’ve got your individual considerations covered.
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