First Officer DHC-8

Group Overview

Special Air Missions Group (SAM) is responsible for developing and delivering Metrea’s Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR), Special Mobility, and Aerial Firefighting (AFF) capabilities. SAM oversees the integration of new mission systems, ensuring operational readiness across specialized aviation operations. It manages fleet maintenance, regulatory compliance, and strategic partnerships to enhance mission effectiveness. By consolidating expertise and infrastructure, SAM ensures Metrea’s airborne capabilities remain adaptable and mission-ready across dynamic operational environments.

Position Summary

As a First Officer on our Dash8 fleet, you will be assisting the Captain in ensuring the safe and efficient operation of our aircraft and leading the crew. As a frontline employee you will represent Metrea to our customers and local partners.

We fly missions beyond passenger or cargo transport from A to B. This will require flexibility, excellent communication within the crew, towards customer representatives and with our Operational Control Center. From our First Officers we require comprehensive, adaptive decision-making skills and the ability to contribute to an optimum teamwork in a multicultural and highly dynamic environment.

Metrea is expanding in to Aerial Firefighting Operations using our own platform based on the DHC-8 300, which may present future opportunities for successful candidates.

What You’ll Do

Operate the DHC-8-200 in accordance with EASA regulations, company Operations Manuals, Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), and customer requirements.

Conduct passenger, cargo, and special mission transport flights as Second-in-Command, ensuring safe and efficient mission delivery.

Perform flight planning, performance calculations, fuel planning, weight and balance assessments, and route analysis to support operational requirements.

Monitor weather, airspace constraints, aircraft systems, and operational risks to maintain the highest standards of flight safety and regulatory compliance.

Coordinate with Air Traffic Control (ATC), ground handling agents, maintenance personnel, operational control, and customer representatives to ensure seamless mission execution.

Complete all flight, operational, and safety documentation in accordance with EASA, company, and customer requirements.

Maintain aircraft proficiency, operational currency, and professional standards through recurrent training and checking programmes.

Support operations into diverse operating environments, including regional airports, remote locations, and occasionally austere airfields where operationally approved.

Contribute to the company's Safety Management System (SMS) through hazard identification, occurrence reporting, and continuous improvement initiatives.

Actively support crew resource management (CRM), operational excellence, and a strong safety culture across the organisation.

Participate in deployments and rotational assignments as required to support customer commitments and operational objectives.

Support the continued development of the company's aviation capabilities, including opportunities to contribute to future Aerial Fire Fighting (AFF) operations, training, and capability growth.

During your time as First Officer there may be opportunities to grow into the responsibilities of the Captain

What You’ll bring

To be eligible for this position, candidates will need to:

Hold an EASA ATPL(A) or CPL(A) with ATPL theory credit and MCC (frozen ATPL)

Hold or have held a valid Type Rating on DHC8

Hold a valid EASA Medical class 1

Have flown a minimum of 700 hours of which 350 hours must have been on DHC8

Able to present a negative criminal record

Pass a screening for drugs and psychoactive substances

Be a citizen of the European Union (or have the unrestricted right to live and work within the EU)

Hold an unrestricted passport and willing to travel

Hold a valid driver’s license (regular cars) and

Be willing to operate into high-risk areas.

Additional Eligibility Qualifications

The following qualifications are considered an advantage but are not mandatory.

Experience in special operations

Route and area experience in Africa, Middle East and Asia

Experience in discrete air transport

Experience in ISR / SAR

Have flown DHC8 classic variant (100, 200 or 300)

UK/EU/NATO Security clearance

Experience of Aerial Firefighting Operations