Philip Sheldon

Managing Director

Philip was appointed in 2003 when Directflight was acquired by the Aeromega Group, later to become Airtask Group, of which he is a Director and shareholder. He founded Cambridge Helicopters in 1997 and became the Managing Director of Aeromega in 2001 following its acquisition. He has held various appointments in industry which include, Operations Director, Chief Pilot and Chief Instructor. He continues to hold a valid ATPL(H) and is a senior CAA examiner. He retired from the Royal Navy in 1987 to pursue a career in business.

Julie Simper

Commercial Director

Julie joined Directflight in 1997 as Finance Manager having trained in accountancy. In July 2003 she took on the role of General Manager of Directflight taking on the day to day responsibility for running the company with particular emphasis on Contract Compliance, Customer Liaison and Financial oversight. Julie became a Director and shareholder of both Directflight and Airtask Group Limited in 2008. During her time at Directflight she has been involved in a number of projects including major aircraft modification programmes, introduction of new aircraft types, negotiation of complex contracts.

Julie is located at our Head Office with the Management Team with whom she works closely on a daily basis.

Mike Collins

Flight Operations Manager

Mike joined Directflight in 2006 after an accomplished flying career commencing with gliders in 1971 and culminating as a Captain on the B747F, for the Cathay Pacific Fleet, operating on a worldwide basis. He embraced a number of specialist operations during his flying career which included pilot training, charter, aerial surveys, mapping, scientific research, medevac and outsize/ heavy cargo charters for aerospace companies, relief agencies and military customers. These specialist operations required him to fly a number of unusual aircraft often in remote regions and challenging environments most notably in North Africa, the Middle and Far East, Antarctica, Australia and Russia. He held the positions of Line Training Captain, TRE/IRE and Fleet Captain.

Mike is responsible for the conduct and regulatory compliance of all Directflight fleet operations and is specifically tasked with flight standards and safety management. The breadth and depth of his experience is highly suited to Directflight operations.

Alan Kuspert

Ground Operations Manager

Alan joined the Directflight Operations Team in September 2007 taking on his current role as Ground Operations Manager in 2008. Alan has an Operational career in excess of 30 years during which time he has held senior positions covering Operations control, aircrew Rostering, Passenger and Aircraft handling.

As Ground Operations Manager Alan is responsible for the company’s day to day Operations, ensuring all activities are undertaken in compliance with the relevant legislation. Alan is also an experienced Operations Auditor having undertaken equivalent safety audits on foreign airlines in conjunction with the CAA.

Ian Viscogliosi

Engineering Manager

Ian joined Directflight in May 2012 from Cirrus Airlines in Saarbrucken, Germany, where he held the position of LBA Post Holder Maintenance. During his 4 years at Cirrus he acted in several roles starting in asset management before being asked to re-structure the engineering department.

Ian started his career as an apprentice at Elstree where he was fortunate enough to work on the aircraft used in the film “Battle of Britain” including Messerschmitt ME109s, Spitfires and Sea Furies. During his varied career he has spent time on special projects at McAlpine Aviation and worked all over the world for BP’s oil prospecting division.  Whilst working at Suckling Airways he established the companies Part 145 Maintenance Organisation.

Ian’s primary responsibility is the Continuing Airworthiness Management of the Directflight operated aircraft and oversight of the engineering needs of the company which includes future modifications and enhancements to meet the customers needs.

Bill Tobin

Quality Manager

Bill joined Directflight in April 1992 from Field Aviation Services where he managed the Operations and engineering function on the interim SFPA contract operating from Edinburgh. Previous to that he had held a similar position with Capital when they operated the DAFS C404 aircraft on inshore fisheries surveillance for six years. This contract started in November 1984. During these periods Bill managed the delivery and subsequent major modifications to the two F406 aircraft employed on the original MAFF contract based at Exeter.

Prior to his involvement with Fisheries Surveillance he has worked as a line Maintenance engineer with British Midland Airways, managed a private jet and worked overseas where he assisted in the setting up of the Qatari Air Force. He also served 10 years in the RAF as a ground engineer.

David Bayntun

Business Development Coordinator

David came to Directflight in 2011 from the Civil Service where he successfully ran the Marine Fisheries Agency (MFA) aerial surveillance contract for several years. During this time he became familiar with the complex legal issues surrounding EU government procurement. Prior to this he was employed by the MFA as a warranted enforcement officer carrying out fisheries inspections and investigations at sea and on land.

David is responsible for driving Directflight’s business growth and opportunity futures. He is primarily tasked with dealing with potential new customers and running the procurement and bidding process.