Craig Murdie's Linkedin Analytics

After 20+ years leading technical teams in the aerospace, rail and nuclear sectors, I've now come full circle and back to where my passion truly lies - aviation. I'm currently training full-time for my commercial pilot's license, while sharing my love of aviation as a 747 simulator instructor in a unique setup: a complete flight deck salvaged from a retired British Airways jumbo jet What draws me to aviation isn't just the thrill of flying. It's more than that: it's about the people - professionals who share my commitment to the highest standards, who understand that excellence isn't a goal that just happens, it's something that can never be taken for granted - and requires us all to support and inspire one another. Having spent decades in roles requiring rapid problem-solving in safety critical environments, I know this first hand. It's been quite a journey. Starting at Rolls-Royce where I brought three new Trent engines into service, supporting fleet operations and MRO activities as a Compliance Verification Engineer, to leading fleet reliability programs with major airlines, and finally to managing complex projects in nuclear and rail - I've always gravitated toward safety-critical operations where lives depend on quick thinking and getting things right first time. I'm at my absolute best in the flight deck, be it a two seat Cessna or the 747 simulator. But I have to say, nothing beats the feeling of helping a customer nail their first landing in a jumbo jet, taking away amazing memories, and inspiring younger children to pursue a flying career. I'm on track to complete commercial pilot training by September 2025 and am also available immediately for flexible contract work in flight operations, safety, or maintenance roles. I understand the challenges commercial air operators face, and know that there's always more work than people to do it. Based near East Midlands Airport and willing to travel, I can offer my expertise on a flexible basis to help you deliver your priorities more quickly and cost-effectively than a permanent hire. My unique blend of technical knowledge, leadership experience, and hands-on aviation background means I can fit in straight away - especially in a safety, maintenance or operations role. Want to know more about transitioning from engineering to flying, how you can join me to fly the 747, or how my experience could benefit you and your team? Drop me a message - I'm always happy to connect with fellow aviation professionals.