Working for the AAIB

[Strepsils]

Just wondering if anyone out there can tell me what qualifications/experience would help to gain a job as an investigator with the AAIB? Hopefully I've got a good few years left flying but never too early to start preparing!

Thanks.:ok:

[Genghis the Engineer]

As a rule ATPL with 10+ years on heavies, or a Chartered Engineer with a fairly wide and varied experience of aircraft operations.

They are also particularly fond of engineers who fly, or pilots who have taken the trouble to understand engineering properly.

Everybody needs extremely highly developed report-writing and analytical skills.

That and diplomatic skills at-least on the Kofi Anan scale (although some might argue that this latter has gone by the board a little in recent years).

G

[Cool_Hand]

I worked in an engineering firm who were frequently contracted in to provide analysis for accident investigations.
I was asking one of their investigators about how to get into the AAIB and it is pretty much as Ghengis says, their website only gives details of requirements when vacancies are available but may be worth keeping an eye on it.

I'll say this much though, incredibly interesting work but very morbid. Seeing the Pan Am 747 Forward fuse still built on one side of the main hanger and wandering around an aircraft that looks more like screwed up tin foil than an aircraft knowing that four people at some point were in it when it turned to tin foil. Very thought provoking and harrowing.
Before flying, the investigator I worked with would wander around the hanger to solidify the importance of safety.

[paco]

I would certainly do an expert witness course - a lot of people fail at that part of the interview process

Phil

[Spartacan]

I made several, unsuccessful, attempts to get in to the AAIB as a pilot investigator. I managed to wangle a visit to Farnborough to discuss a university project and put a massive amount of effort into completing the application form and generally networking my way in. To no avail alas.

When they advertise they are inundated with high quality applicants and I guess they can pretty much pick just the right employee. I did, however, get the feeling that it is a bit clubby. I was, discreetly, advised that having British Airways, Cathay Pacific or Red Arrows on your CV would do no harm.

That said, it's one of those very special aviation jobs where you can do some good whilst working with some very good eggs.

I have moved on in life but wish you a lot of luck in your application!

[Strepsils]

Thanks all for the advice. Got a few years experience to build up yet but it all helps.

Thanks.