+44 (0)7768 286366

fly@vantageaviation.co.uk

Company Number- 6291857

VAT - 916 9261 06

James joined the Royal Navy as a Commando Helicopter Pilot in 1991.  Since then he has flown 13 different types and amassed over 4000 hours as an Aircraft Commander.  He saw Operational service in a number of theatres including Northern Ireland, Bosnia and Iraq.  In March 2003 he flew as Mission Commander on a number of missions in Southern Iraq and for his actions, on the 24th March 2003, he was awarded a Distinguished Flying Cross, the first in over 50 years to a Fleet Air Arm pilot, by HM the Queen in March 2004.  

During his career in the Royal Navy James was appointed into number of key positions including; Advanced Rotary Training Officer for 848 Naval Air Squadron, Naval Flying Standards Officer (CFS), where he was responsible for the flying Standards and Practices of all Commando Helicopter Pilots and most recently as the Operations Officer for the Commando Helicopter Force whilst deployed in Afghanistan and Iraq.   

James has an Airline Transport Pilots Licence with Flying Instructor rating (ATPL (H) FI)) and also  a commercial Aeroplane license with instrument rating (CPL(A)).

Vantage Aviation Ltd was formed in 2005.   

In April 2007 James published 'Armed Action' with Hodder Headline, the largest publishing house in Europe.  Armed Action tells the story as life as a Frontline Helicopter Pilot during the Gulf War in 2003 and the battles 847 Naval Air Squadron faced with the Royal Marines in the fighting around Basra - highlighting the perils of Armed helicopter combat in a modern day war zone.

Armed Action is available by following the web site in the 'Links' chapter.