About the Author
Welcome to the homepage of Ed Pomfrett, UK-based airline pilot and systems engineer.
Feel free to browse and have a look at some of the things I've been up to, or head to my LinkedIn profile to connect and see more about my work history.
Biography
2025-Retirement (hopefully!)
Pilot, British Aiways
Finally, in 2025, I fell into the clutches of British Airways! For the first time in my career, I found myself working for a profitable airline, with a sense of permanence that (I sincerely hope!) may just last until the day I retire from professional aviation.
For now, a straight swap onto the growing 787 fleet. Watch this space for the next chapter!
2023-2025
Senior First Officer B787
Although I loved being back in my old job at Flybe, the experience of COVID made me wary of risking my future on one airline. So in 2023, I moved to Norse Atlantic, a low-cost long haul operator, based in London Gatwick (LGW).
Changing from regional to long haul on the B787 dreamliner was the ultimate realisation of a dream.
2021-2023
Captain Q400
Flight Operations Systems Engineer
As the World began to recover from the pandemic, I was offered a rare and golden opportunity to return to my former job, if I could help a new management team relaunch the former Flybe airline. I jumped at the opportunity to return to my true calling.
My initial role was to help integrate a variety of new digital software systems, which the new airline would use in leiu of the old paper-based processes that had previously been a nightmare. I was able to integrate a number of platforms over the course of 4 months, before returning to the skies in Spring of 2022 on the inaugural LBA-LHR route.
2020-2021
Frontend Software Dev
Product Manager - Electronic Tech Log
With the arrival of COVID-19 in Spring of 2020, I like many pilots, suddenly found myself without any passengers to fly! My beloved Flybe was an early casualty of the pandemic.
With flying demand practically zero, I found a safe haven in TrustFlight, happily just up the road from my Warwickshire home, who were looking for Frontend devs for their Electronic Tech Log product. The chance to get a real pilot who had studied and filled out hundreds of tech log pages was too good for them to pass up and I was brought onboard, initially to help with the development of their web portal.
After a few months, I was asked to assist with managing the company's client base of airlines. This lead to eventual promotion to the Product Manager, overseeing development of the Tech Log product and managing and onboarding various airline clients.
2011-2020
Line Training Captain
Captain Q400
Flight Efficiency Project Pilot
Senior First Officer EJET
First Officer Q400
My first flying job, where I served 3 years in the Isle of Man (IOM), followed by 3 years in Manchester (MAN) including a stint on the Embraer 175 & 195 fleet, before gaining my command on the Dash 8-400 in Birmingham (BHX) in 2017.
Along the way, I kept my engineering skills sharp by taking charge of the company's Flight Efficiency Programme.
I was eventually promoted to Line Training Captain, performing training and crew checkrides.
2009-2010
Cadet Pilot - Flybe
Multicrew Pilot's Licence (MPL)
I had always held a deep-rooted desire to fly for a living and although life as a West Country engineer was generally comfortable, the yearning for a different way of life persuaded me to apply for an airline Cadet scheme at Oxford Aviation Academy. In Spring 2009, I was selected to join NetJets Europe's sponsored cadet scheme. Sadly, the company abandoned the course around a month before I was due to start ("Welcome to aviation!"), but with the extensive set of commitments and capital already in place, I opted to enroll anyway.
By happy fortune, around a month after starting, a spot became available on a separate cadet scheme for Flybe, a major UK regional airline. I was interviewed and then offered a place on the course, eventually graduating with a Multicrew Pilot's Licence (MPL) in December 2010.
2007-2009
Avionics Systems Engineer
AW159 Tactical Processor Team
Upon graduation, I landed my first job in industry at AgustaWestland Helicopters, based in Yeovil, Somerset (EGHG for the pilots!), where I worked as part of the team creating avionics software for the AW-159 "Wildcat" helicoper.
Here, I learned the basics of software and systems development, skills which have served me extremely well since.
2003-2007
Master's degree Avionics Systems Engineering
Bristol University Gliding Club
As a child, I was fascinated with flying and aircraft technology. This early interest led me towards the fields of science and engineering, and eventually to the University of Bristol, where I studied Avionics Systems Engineering. The course content was heavy on computing and aircraft systems design, which better suited my interests compared to the maths-heavy Aeronautical Engineering course (maths was never my strong point!).
While at university, I became a very active member of the Bristol University Gliding Club, flying regularly out of Nympsfield airfield near Stroud, Gloucestershire.