Ben Ratcliffe Email & Phone Number

Bristol, United Kingdom

Raf Cranwell

As a Qualified Flying Instructor and Instrument Rating Examiner on 45 Sqn, responsible for teaching RAF ab initio pilot students the skills to fly and operate multi-engine aircraft in the military and civil environment. Operating the Beechcraft KingAir 200 aircraft. Responsible for teaching all elements of the RAF & Army multi-engine flying training syllabus up to the award of Wings. Also responsible for the development of the trainees as Junior Officers. As Duty Instructor responsible for management on a daily basis of a complex and demanding flying training task. As Duty Senior Supervisor responsible to the command chain for overseeing all flying at RAF Cranwell and ensuring safe operations. Unit safety manager with responsibility for all occurrence management and flight safety training. Currently driving forward adoption of Bow-Tie analysis for unit risks (utilising Bow-Tie XP for risk assessment and analysis).

Raf Waddington

As one of only 4 Captains on a very small elite unit I was responsible for the planning and operating of a complex 29 crew 4 jet aircraft on operations and exercises in the UK and worldwide. Hand picked to join a small unit with a strategic and tactical intelligence gathering role, which was vital to UK national security. Spent long periods as an autonomous detachment commander, trusted to lead detachments of up to 90 personnel of all ranks. As the Sqn Staneval pilot and Instrument Rating Examiner responsible for recurrent training and assessment of Sqn pilots. As Sqn Flight Safety Officer responsible for delivery of a safety culture pertaining to the safe operation of the Sqn's aircraft.

Raf Kinloss

Short 9 month period as co-pilot following OCU, before becoming P1 and then Crew Captain in RAF maritime patrol and ISTAR/SAR Platform. Responsible for training and performance of crew of 13, operating a large 4 Jet aircraft in combat and training, across a wide range of roles including anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare, SAR and ISTAR roles. Extensive deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan as well as counter narcotics deployments in the Caribbean. Secondary role as deputy Flight Commander with responsibility for a team of 60+ personnel during deployments by immediate superior. Trusted and respected by chain of command to complete autonomous operations worldwide and to supervise flying operations as duty pilot and as planner for the Sqn.

Raf Cranwell

Having transferred from helicopters to fixed wing flying completed a Multi-Engine Re-Role Course on 45(R) Sqn at RAF Cranwell

Raf Akrotiri

SAR & Support Helicopter Pilot/Captain in overseas location. Additional roles as VIP Captain, Airtest Captain, Sqn Duty Authoriser (responsible for delivery of Sqn commitments to both planned and reactionary tasks). Also, as Sqn Planning Officer oversaw short term and long term planning of manning levels and tasks, as well as planning overseas deployments to Jordan and Turkey. Was Coordinator and Officer in Charge of 84 Sqn 84th anniversary celebrations which included a families day, parade for presentation of new Sqn standard and a charity hangar party which raised over £9500 for charity.

Raf Aldergrove

Support Helicopter Pilot & Captain in demanding operational theatre. Additional roles as SAR Captain, VIP Captain, Airtest Captain, Sqn Duty Authoriser (responsible for delivery of Sqn commitments to both planned tasks and to reactionary tasks in a dynamic, multi-faceted theatre of operations) and Sqn Adjutant working directly for OC 72 Sqn to coordinate administrative functions including as line manager for Sqn administrative staff.

Various Raf Bases

Initial Officer Training and flying training courses. Awarded flying badge (wings) at RAF Shawbury on 17 September 1998.

Bsc, Physics

Education record