Gareth is an experienced pilot with a broad background within Military, Commercial and General Aviation. This encompasses both rotary and fixed-wing flying, including three tours as an RAF Search and Rescue Captain and current airline operations on the A320. Gareth is passionate about aviation safety and enjoys identifying best practice from across the defence and commercial sectors. He specialises in Human Factors and Error Management, and Safety Risk Management.
Expertise and capability
Gareth has been involved in safety roles throughout his career. In the RAF, this included appointments as Unit Flight Safety Officer, Flight Authoriser, Flight Supervisor, and Human Factors Facilitator. As Investigating Officer for a number of Flight Safety Investigations and a Unit Inquiry, he made recommendations to prevent reoccurrence and promote safe and effective Search and Rescue operations.
As a Master Green Instrument Rating Examiner, he conducted Instrument Rating Tests to renew and upgrade colleagues’ ratings, whilst ensuring safe standards of instrument flying across the Search and Rescue Force.
As an instructor at the UK Defence Academy, he used a blend of instruction, coaching, mentoring and facilitation to develop officers’ Command, Leadership and Management.
Career background and experience
Prior to joining Baines Simmons, Gareth completed a commission in the Royal Air Force as a senior officer. He is an active commercial pilot and has flown the Firefly T67, Grob Tutor, Grob 109 TMG, PA-28, DA-42, A320, Twin Squirrel, Bell 412, and Sea King MK3/3A. He holds a First Class degree in Information Management and is a qualified Spanish speaker (B2 CEFR).
