Specialist Aviation Services

The Astral Aviation Consulting team comprises current and ex-military pilots, commercial and General Aviation (GA) pilots, examiners, instructors, and human performance and compliance specialists with over 30,000 flying hours on various aircraft types.

The company provides specialist aviation services across the general, corporate, and commercial aviation sectors.

In addition to providing General Aviation (GA) safety advice and education under contract from the UK CAA, Astral Aviation Consulting delivers compliance and audit services to ensure that all organisations comply with all regulations and avoid falling foul of any regulatory inspections.

Here is an extensive list of the specialist aviation services from Astral Aviation Consulting.

1. Solutions for Organisational Air Safety Challenges

• Aviation risk management

• Aircraft safety solutions

• Air safety consultancy

• Aviation safety audits

• Flight risk mitigation

• Safety management systems (SMS)

• Air safety best practices

• Safety reporting systems in aviation

• Pilot safety procedures

• Safety culture aviation

• Human error reduction in aviation

• Civil aviation safety challenges

• Safety protocols in aviation

• Regulatory safety compliance

• Aircraft safety inspections

• Aviation risk assessment strategies

• Aviation safety workshops

• Hazard identification aviation

• Safety in the aviation industry

• Aviation safety consulting firm

2. Compliance and Regulation

• Aviation regulatory compliance

• CAA compliance services

• FAA regulations consulting

• Airworthiness certification support

• Aviation law compliance

• Aircraft certification audits

• Regulatory compliance in aviation

• Safety and compliance auditing

• Aviation regulatory guidance

• Civil aviation regulations

• Aviation compliance audits

• Aviation safety regulations

• Air safety compliance consulting

• Global aviation regulations

• ICAO compliance consulting

• Aviation safety management systems (SMS)

• Safety standards in aviation

• Aviation compliance solutions

• Regulatory oversight in aviation

• Aviation industry compliance

3. Aviation Business Development

• Aviation business strategy consulting

• Business growth in aviation

• Market analysis for aviation

• Aviation business expansion

• Strategic planning for aviation companies

• Aviation market development

• Aerospace business consulting

• Aviation industry startups

• Scaling aviation businesses

• Aviation business optimisation

• Air transportation business consulting

• Business model innovation in aviation

• Revenue growth strategies for aviation

• Aviation industry market entry

• Airline business strategy

• Commercial aviation development

• Aviation business transformation

• Aviation corporate strategy

• Market research for aviation businesses

• Mergers and acquisitions in aviation

4. Aviation Audit

• Aviation safety audits

• Aircraft inspection services

• Aviation regulatory audits

• Flight safety audit services

• Aviation compliance audit

• Aviation maintenance audits

• Aircraft operational audits

• CAA audit compliance

• FAA audit consulting

• Aviation quality audits

• Safety auditing in aviation

• Aviation operational readiness audits

• Airworthiness audits

• Aircraft safety management audits

• Flight operational quality assurance (FOQA)

• Aviation risk assessment audits

• Safety culture audits in aviation

• Regulatory inspection readiness

• Aircraft performance audits

• Aviation audit firm

5. Efficiency and Performance

• Aviation performance improvement

• Aircraft efficiency consulting

• Aviation operational efficiency

• Flight optimisation services

• Cost-saving strategies in aviation

• Fuel efficiency in aviation

• Aircraft performance monitoring

• Airline efficiency consulting

• Operational excellence in aviation

• Aviation process optimisation

• Fleet performance management

• Maintenance efficiency aviation

• Reducing operational costs in aviation

• Aviation productivity consulting

• Performance benchmarking aviation

• Fleet efficiency improvement

• Operational analysis for aviation

• Time and cost efficiency aviation

• Performance metrics in aviation

• Streamlining aviation operations

6. Human Factors and Safety Culture

• Human factors in aviation safety

• Safety culture consulting in aviation

• Crew resource management (CRM)

• Human error in aviation

• Aviation human factors training

• Safety culture assessments in aviation

• Behavioural safety in aviation

• Pilot decision-making processes

• Safety leadership in aviation

• Aviation risk awareness training

• Human factors risk management

• Safety culture improvement strategies

• Aviation fatigue management programs

• Human performance in aviation

• Aviation team communication training

• Operational safety culture aviation

• Safety culture audits

• Error reduction in aviation

• Crew coordination in aviation

• Human factors consultancy

7. Aviation Safety Advice

• Aviation safety consulting

• Safety management in aviation

• Risk mitigation aviation

• Safety advice for aviation operators

• Aircraft safety consulting services

• Flight safety advisory services

• Safety strategy aviation

• Aviation risk assessment advice

• Air safety management plans

• Aviation hazard identification advice

• Pilot safety consulting

• Safety standards in aviation

• Aviation safety regulations guidance

• Emergency response planning aviation

• Safety management systems implementation

• Aviation incident prevention consulting

• Safety workshops for aviation

• Regulatory safety consulting aviation

• Operational safety consulting aviation

• Aviation safety advisory firm

8. Aircraft Management

• Aircraft fleet management

• Private jet management services

• Aircraft operations consulting

• Aircraft crew management

• Aviation maintenance oversight

• Aircraft acquisition consulting

• Aircraft lease management

• Pilot recruitment aviation

• Corporate aircraft management

• Aviation logistics and planning

• Aviation charter management

• Aircraft maintenance tracking

• Aviation asset management

• Flight crew scheduling aviation

• Operational support aviation

• Aircraft performance management

• Aviation contract management

• Aircraft ownership consulting

• Aircraft procurement services

• Aviation fleet optimisation

9. Aviation Marketing and PR

• Aviation marketing strategies

• PR services for aviation companies

• Digital marketing for aviation

• Social media marketing aviation

• Aviation brand management

• Marketing for aviation businesses

• Airline marketing campaigns

• Aviation industry public relations

• Event marketing aviation

• Media relations aviation industry

• Aviation trade show marketing

• Online marketing for aviation

• Aviation SEO services

• Content marketing for aviation

• Aviation industry influencers

• Aviation video marketing

• Email marketing for aviation

• Aviation market research

• Targeted advertising in aviation

• Branding for aerospace companies

10. Military Aviation

• Military aviation consulting

• Defence aviation services

• Military aircraft safety

• Air defence strategy consulting

• Military aviation risk management

• Defence aviation compliance

• Military flight operations consulting

• Tactical aviation support

• Military aircraft audits

• Military aircrew training

• Military aviation regulations

• Defence aviation safety audits

• Military aircraft management

• Military aviation performance consulting

• Defence aviation logistics

• Military flight safety consulting

• Military aviation procurement consulting

• Military aviation project management

• Defence airworthiness services

• Combat aviation strategy consulting

Aviation Marketing & PR

We offer unique marketing and public relations opportunities to support your aviation organisation.

Our marketing, media, and communications team has extensive experience in the aviation sector. Our knowledge includes running marketing campaigns for UK airshows, expertise in BBC broadcasts, and a strong background in social media. Additionally, we partner with various aircraft maintenance organisations, ensuring we can cover all your aviation-related needs.

Astral Aviation Consulting's expert marketing and public relations team can help any aviation organisation develop its brand, raise its profile, and increase sales or customer footfall.

Aviation Business Development

Astral Aviation Consulting offers business development support to startups and established businesses looking to implement structures that enhance repeatability, consistency, and overall performance. Additionally, we assist organisations in expanding their fleet and services at a manageable pace.

How We Provide Specialist Aviation Services

We are a team of dedicated professionals with years of experience in the aviation industry. Our expertise spans various fields, including Royal Air Force fighter pilots, aircraft engineers, helicopter pilots, human factors specialists, marketing professionals, and social media experts. This diverse skill set allows us to offer a wide range of specialised aviation services. Let’s explore more about our team.

Chris Kidd, Managing Director

Chris has over 3,200 flying hours. He holds a Commercial Pilot License with Instrument Rating (CPL/IR) and a Private Pilot License (PPL). Chris served 20 years as a fighter pilot in the Royal Air Force, completing several operational tours. He became a qualified flying instructor and eventually commanded 208 Squadron. After that, he was the senior safety advisor for the Red Arrows. Chris then managed air display safety for the Civil Aviation Authority and led general aviation oversight and regulation. In 2020, he founded Astral Aviation Consulting and the rest is history!

Helen Webb, Marketing

Helen is an experienced marketing leader who loves aviation. She has over 25 years of senior marketing and communications experience, including 14 years at the Royal International Air Tattoo, where she developed and implemented strategies to boost engagement. Helen also serves as a trustee for Flying Scholarships for Disabled People, is a STEM ambassador, and is a board member of the European Airshow Council.

Matt Lane, General Aviation

The RAF sponsored Matt to attend Loughborough University, where he trained as an engineering officer. He then became a flight instructor and examiner, focusing on general aviation. Matt has accumulated over 3,200 hours flying single-engine and multi-engine planes. He also regularly flies the Grob Tutor with the Royal Air Force Reserve.

Nigel Willson, General Aviation

Nigel has over 35 years of flying experience in General Aviation. He has flown many types of aircraft, from open-cockpit planes to advanced EFIS-equipped aircraft. Nigel is a Flight Instructor (FI) and Flight Examiner (FE). He creates flying courses, including Advanced PPL, Formation, and Short Strip. He also offers training for non-pilots, such as Co-Pilot and FROM-FEAR-2-FLIGHT courses. Nigel has logged 8,000 flying hours and holds a Commercial Pilot License (CPL) and a Private Pilot License (PPL).

Dave Lewins, Helicopters

Dave has had a 45-year aviation career, working with fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft in the military, airlines, and General Aviation. He has held important teaching roles in military and civilian training programs. His positions include head of training, examiner, safety and compliance officer, and chief instructor. Dave has over 15,500 flying hours and is a current Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) ground examiner. He is also a flight instructor for helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft.

Paul Firth, Commercial Air Transport

Paul has over 30 years of experience in military and civil aviation, mainly with heavy aircraft. He started in the RAF and became a Tristar Captain. He then joined British Airways to fly commercially. Paul has logged about 12,000 flying hours. He holds an ATPL(A) IR. He shares knowledge about global commercial operations, performance-based navigation, low visibility operations, modern safety culture, threat and error management, and structured decision-making tools and processes.

Phil Bird, Commercial Air Transport

Phil is a former Royal Air Force fighter pilot. He was a qualified flying instructor and display pilot. In 2018, he started working in the airline industry. He has operated various aircraft, including the A321, B747, Embraer, and A330. In 2022, Phil became the head of air operations at BA CityFlyer. He then worked to set up the flight operations department for BermudAir, a new airline, and helped the company begin commercial flights. After returning to the UK, he took a role as the head of airline safety at another start-up before joining Virgin Atlantic.

Talitha-Kay Greatorex, Social Media

Talitha loves flying and ensuring flight safety. She studied Aviation Technology with Pilot Studies at Leeds University and earned her Private Pilot License (PPL). After that, she completed an MSc in Human Factors and Safety in Aviation at Cranfield University. Her thesis focused on human factors in the General Aviation sector. Talitha then joined a large UK aerospace defence company, where she works in Human Factors to support ongoing design projects.

Lily Ayres, Social Media

Lily started her aviation journey by joining the Southampton University Air Squadron. She then moved on to Draken Europe. Along the way, Lily won three flying scholarships, which helped her earn her Private Pilot License (PPL). She is very passionate about encouraging careers in aviation and assisting people in overcoming barriers to entering the industry. To support this, she is an ambassador for Elevate(her) Aviation and serves on the committees of the BWPA and RAeS.

Jon Hunt, Content

Jon began his broadcasting career as a presenter on BBC local radio. He then took on various roles, including investigative reporter and producer/director for a regional current affairs series. In 2013, Jon got his Private Pilot License (PPL) and started making general aviation video content on YouTube. He is now known as The Flying Reporter, the best-known GA YouTuber in the UK, with 1.3 million annual views. Jon creates relatable content and podcasts about flying in the UK and Europe that inspire new and experienced pilots.

Paul Kennard, Helicopters

Paul is a former RAF Chinook helicopter pilot with extensive flying experience. He is qualified to fly at night, including with night vision goggles. He teaches tactics and conducts operational tests and evaluations. Because of his knowledge, Paul knows how to carry out flight trials from start to finish. This includes planning, assessing risks, conducting trials, and reporting results. He works as a requirements manager and systems engineer. He has a strong history of developing new technology ideas, such as Mid Air Collision Avoidance systems and flying in poor visibility conditions, including accidental instrument meteorological conditions (IMC).

Tim Clark, Engineering

Tim is a systems engineer focusing on Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE), Crew Escape Systems, and other safety-critical systems. He has nine years of experience in defence and spent seven years as a principal systems engineer at Martin-Baker Aircraft Company. Tim has hands-on experience designing and implementing systems, especially in MBSE for safety-critical applications. His work includes developing requirements, implementing processes, and integrating features into new and innovative systems.

Nick Duriez, Aerodromes

Nick is a former airport manager with 25 years of experience in general aviation. He is an expert in airport operations and air navigation services and examiner for aerodrome flight information services. As an active pilot, he can help businesses ensure they meet licensing and regulatory requirements. He specialises in making systems more efficient and cost-effective, developing and reviewing procedures, and improving safety management systems.

Lee Gordon, Defence

Lee is a former RAF pilot who has spent over 2,000 hours flying the Harrier, F-16, and Typhoon jets. He also led the RAF’s only Test and Evaluation squadron. Before leaving the RAF, he served as the F-35 Programme Director. In this role, he oversaw daily communication with key stakeholders, managed funding, and ensured the delivery of the UK’s F-35 programme. Now, Lee flies for Virgin Atlantic, bringing valuable experience in aviation testing, program management, and defence to the team.

Helen Lunnon-Wood, Human Factors

Helen is a former fast jet pilot in the Royal Air Force. She has flown for 2,000 hours, mainly on the Tornado GR4, and has worked globally in frontline operations and as an instructor. She has a lot of experience managing airfields, planning operations, ensuring air safety, and understanding aircrew culture. In her last role with the RAF, she worked at NATO as an aviation expert. She helped develop operational guidelines, policies, and plans with NATO military allies there. Now, she is a qualified aviation psychologist, human factors specialist, and mental health practitioner focusing on psychology and culture in aviation.

Astral Aviation Consulting comprises specialists in various aviation services, and we’d love to help your organisation grow and develop.