Pilot Careers
I Get Paid for This…
Paul Gibbs Low-level manoeuvring around coastal inlets in challenging weather conditions while seeing dolphins and orcas: Paul Gibbs patrols the Scottish waters. Interview by Yayeri van Baarsen How did you get into flying?
I’ve always wanted to be a pilot. Even at primary school I was single-minded. After Air Scouts, I joined the Air Training Corps and was awarded an RAF Flying Scholarship when I was 18. Despite my best efforts, I didn’t manage to join the RAF as a direct entry pilot, but was instead selected as a cadet pilot by Air Atlantique. Tell us about your job?
I’m an F406 maritime patrol captain for Marine Scotland. We operate from our base in Inverness, patrolling primarily Scottish Flying CV waters and recording any suspected illegal Maritime patrol captain Paul Gibbs flies activity. Patrols can occur at any time as an F406 on patrols for Marine Scotland. there’s always a crew of captain, co-pilot and Started current job March 2020 task specialist on standby. Now flying Reims F406 Caravan 11 (for work), My favourite patrol is a ‘West Coaster’, Nipper 3A, Trago Mills SAH-1, Jet Provost 5A which involves lots of dynamic low-level Favourite aircraft Extra 230. ‘It’s the nicest handling aircraft I’ve ever flown. However, manoeuvring, often in stunning weather. nothing comes close to the fun-to-pound ratio Scottish weather is notoriously changeable and pure flying pleasure I get from my Tipsy and challenging, which brings satisfaction Nipper.’ after a successful flight. Another exciting Hours at job start Approx. 13,500 Hours now Approx. 13,800 aspect of this work is encountering marine wildlife. We often see dolphins and orcas, and last winter we spotted humpback whales west of Shetland. The flying is simply awesome. It’s very dynamic. most of my teenage years. To top it off, it was exactly the 50th Our minima for low-level operations is 100ft on the radio anniversary of my Nipper’s first flight. altimeter. We have strict minimum speeds to keep us safe when banking at low level, which are monitored by our operations team. And your favourite airfield? You need to feel comfortable flying in marginal weather at very low Lee-on-Solent. I’m a Gosport boy born and bred, and have spent level. Sometimes there’s a lot going on at once – identifying several so much time at the old HMS Daedalus, flying model aircraft, dozen closely packed trawlers, remembering which ones have gliding and powered flight. My first flight was in an Air Atlantique already been checked, whilst maintaining an agreed altitude limit DC-3 at Daedalus Air Day. I’m pleased to see how Solent Airfield, or lateral position due to nearby oil rig helicopters, and still flying as it’s now known, has evolved, and not been lost from GA. safely. That’s why the most important attribute for a Marine Patrol Captain is a high level of situational awareness. Do you get to fly much outside of work? I’m rarely on the ground. Living next to Inverness Airport, I can be What training did you have? airborne within 20 minutes of leaving home. Fortunately I have a After several years flying light twins, the F406 and DC-6 with Air very understanding wife, who doesn’t grumble when I pop out for Atlantique, I transferred to Highland Airways and became a some aerobatics in my Nipper! I also manage a Jet Provost training captain. Later I joined Flybe and worked as a contract operation and have flown more than 50 people, which is a true pilot on the Embraer in China. Although I had previous experience privilege. Recently, I acquired a Trago Mills SAH-1 prototype of fisheries protection and pollution monitoring flying, when joining which holds a special place in British aviation history . Marine Scotland it’d been nearly 11 years since I’d last flown the F406, so I was required to do most of the type rating again – being What’s your most valuable career advice? taught by a guy who I had taught all those years ago! Don’t believe you have to be someone special to achieve a flying career. Motivation and determination are key factors. I came from What’s been your favourite flight? a humble council estate background, but grabbed whatever Flying my little Tipsy Nipper from Inverness back to Gosport in opportunities existed, such as scholarships and sponsorships. 2018. I got to fly my own aeroplane, over my childhood home, past Be cheerful and keep your enthusiasm, even when those around my schools, and land it at Lee-on-Solent, an airfield where I spent you are losing theirs.
“Minima for low-level ops is 100ft on the radio altimeter”
18 | FLYER | November 2021
