<p>Former RAF helicopter pilot Simon Williams is director of civil aviation for the UK crown dependency and, among his duties, is responsible for the island’s fast-growing private and business aircraft registry.</p>
<p><strong>What sparked your interest in aviation? </strong></p>
<p>From an early age aircraft fired my imagination, particularly military aircraft. I followed the traditional route at school by joining the Air Training Corps. I proved beyond all reasonable doubt that I was awful at marching, but had my first flight in a de Havilland Canada DHC-1 Chipmunk at 16 and enjoyed the experience enormously. Thereafter, post-university degree, I went on to join the Royal Air Force at the age of 22 and ultimately became a helicopter pilot. My initial aspiration was to fly fast jets. As a young man, I couldn’t imagine anything more exhilarating than flying at low-level at 450kt. During basic flying training at RAF Linton-on-Ouse, I was taught by a wonderful instructor on the BAC Jet Provost. I worked very hard, and my early flying training went very well. However, I found out halfway through the course that I was too tall to undertake advanced flying training in the Hawk. Thus I was offered a choice of multi-engine fixedwing, or helicopters; I chose the latter route. I recall being bitterly disappointed that I wasn’t going to be able to pursue my dream of flying fast jets. Yet, a major disappointment turned out to be one of the best things that ever happened to me. I went on to experience some wonderfully exhilarating flying in challenging environments, and had the privilege to meet some truly remarkable people along the way.</p>
<p><strong>What have been the highlights of your career so far?</strong></p>
<p>Undoubtedly some of my recollections from search and rescue and latterly special operations helicopter flying will always stay strong in my memory. I think the most precious memories are the ones where we managed to really make a difference and save someone’s life. We didn’t always manage that and as a husband and father it was always profoundly upsetting when we weren’t able to save someone, particularly when a child was involved. Mostly we were successful and the memories are positive and sometimes extremely amusing. I recall rescuing a father and daughter who had been cut off by the tide at the base of some extremely large cliffs; they would probably have drowned. We were called to rescue them by the wife/mother who was standing 200ft above them at the cliff top; she hadn’t joined them on their walk. We winched father and daughter to safety, and they were helped out of the helicopter. Happy days, or so I thought. As I took off, I looked out and expected to see the family hugging in relieved joy. What I actually saw was a furious wife kicking and hitting her husband, whilst their daughter looked on in bemusement. Ah well, we did our bit! The single biggest highlight has been the people that I have been privileged to meet and work with in both the military and in civvy street.</p>
<p><strong>Tell us about your current role </strong></p>
<p>As director of civil aviation (DCA) for the Isle of Man, I am leading and managing a large multi-disciplinary internationally-based team and am directly responsible for a multi-millionpound budget. The breadth and depth of the DCA role is very significant and includes, but is not limited to: leading, managing and appropriately growing the world’s sixth largest international private/corporate business aviation registry; regulating aviation, airspace and airport activity on behalf of the Manx government; and facilitating the growth of the increasingly successful Isle of Man aviation industry.</p>
<p><strong>What do you enjoy most about your job? </strong></p>
<p>People. Without strong, capable people in a great team we have nothing. I am very fortunate to work with a great group who I value very highly, both collectively and individually. Beyond that, I enjoy the variety of the role. It is rare to know for certain what I will be dealing with on a daily basis.</p>
<p><strong>What is your biggest challenge? </strong></p>
<p>Time. I made the schoolboy error of believing that when I became DCA I would have greater control over my calendar. Another lesson learned!</p>
<p><strong>What sparked your interest in aviation? </strong></p>
<p>From an early age aircraft fired my imagination, particularly military aircraft. I followed the traditional route at school by joining the Air Training Corps. I proved beyond all reasonable doubt that I was awful at marching, but had my first flight in a de Havilland Canada DHC-1 Chipmunk at 16 and enjoyed the experience enormously. Thereafter, post-university degree, I went on to join the Royal Air Force at the age of 22 and ultimately became a helicopter pilot. My initial aspiration was to fly fast jets. As a young man, I couldn’t imagine anything more exhilarating than flying at low-level at 450kt. During basic flying training at RAF Linton-on-Ouse, I was taught by a wonderful instructor on the BAC Jet Provost. I worked very hard, and my early flying training went very well. However, I found out halfway through the course that I was too tall to undertake advanced flying training in the Hawk. Thus I was offered a choice of multi-engine fixedwing, or helicopters; I chose the latter route. I recall being bitterly disappointed that I wasn’t going to be able to pursue my dream of flying fast jets. Yet, a major disappointment turned out to be one of the best things that ever happened to me. I went on to experience some wonderfully exhilarating flying in challenging environments, and had the privilege to meet some truly remarkable people along the way.</p>
<p><strong>What have been the highlights of your career so far?</strong></p>
<p>Undoubtedly some of my recollections from search and rescue and latterly special operations helicopter flying will always stay strong in my memory. I think the most precious memories are the ones where we managed to really make a difference and save someone’s life. We didn’t always manage that and as a husband and father it was always profoundly upsetting when we weren’t able to save someone, particularly when a child was involved. Mostly we were successful and the memories are positive and sometimes extremely amusing. I recall rescuing a father and daughter who had been cut off by the tide at the base of some extremely large cliffs; they would probably have drowned. We were called to rescue them by the wife/mother who was standing 200ft above them at the cliff top; she hadn’t joined them on their walk. We winched father and daughter to safety, and they were helped out of the helicopter. Happy days, or so I thought. As I took off, I looked out and expected to see the family hugging in relieved joy. What I actually saw was a furious wife kicking and hitting her husband, whilst their daughter looked on in bemusement. Ah well, we did our bit! The single biggest highlight has been the people that I have been privileged to meet and work with in both the military and in civvy street.</p>
<p><strong>Tell us about your current role </strong></p>
<p>As director of civil aviation (DCA) for the Isle of Man, I am leading and managing a large multi-disciplinary internationally-based team and am directly responsible for a multi-millionpound budget. The breadth and depth of the DCA role is very significant and includes, but is not limited to: leading, managing and appropriately growing the world’s sixth largest international private/corporate business aviation registry; regulating aviation, airspace and airport activity on behalf of the Manx government; and facilitating the growth of the increasingly successful Isle of Man aviation industry.</p>
<p><strong>What do you enjoy most about your job? </strong></p>
<p>People. Without strong, capable people in a great team we have nothing. I am very fortunate to work with a great group who I value very highly, both collectively and individually. Beyond that, I enjoy the variety of the role. It is rare to know for certain what I will be dealing with on a daily basis.</p>
<p><strong>What is your biggest challenge? </strong></p>
<p>Time. I made the schoolboy error of believing that when I became DCA I would have greater control over my calendar. Another lesson learned!</p>