Pilot Careers
I Get Paid for This…
Dominique Roland From testing to certifying for EASA, Dominique Roland’s job embodies his passion for GA. Interview by Yayeri van Baarsen
How did you get into flying? Like many boys, flying has always been a dream of mine. Although my family wasn’t rich, I had the opportunity to start in gliders when I was 15, when the French government subsidised gliding clubs. I spent a lot of time at the Aéroclub in Rennes and obtained my PPL when I was 17. Tell us about your job? I’m Head of General Aviation at EASA, managing the team in charge of certification processes and continued airworthiness for everything from balloons to business jets. I’m also champion for the GA Roadmap Project, aiming Flying CV to improve the GA in Europe. My job is EASA’s Head of General Aviation wonderful, it’s all about GA, which is where my Dominique Roland is a driving force heart is. Like breathing air, flying is an essential in light aircraft certification part of my life. Started at EASA August 2005 All aircraft we certify need to comply with Now flying TB-20 Trinidad (privately). Pilatus, safety standards and be adapted to their mission. Daher, Bristell, Stemme, Aquila, etc. (professionally) A two-seat trainer, for example, will be used by Favourite aircraft Extra NG. “In terms of inexperienced pilots who solo after 10 hours, so it flying qualities, it’s probably the best aircraft should be stable and easy to control. Since most I’ve ever flown.” fatalities come from loss of control, we mainly Hours at job start Approx. 5,000 Hours now Approx. 5,800 focus on handling characteristics, like spin recovery, low speed and stall characteristics. Understanding the certification requirements is crucial in my job. Not just for testing, but also to convince the applicants What’s been your favourite flight? of their necessity. Often, applicants see these requirements as constraints. Winning the Breitling World Cup of Aerobatics in 1995. In this However, they’re based on many years of experience and safety issues. competition I performed aerobatic figures synchronised to a waltz by Communication is important. You need to explain to aircraft companies Tchaikovsky, playing from speakers and in my headset. The wind made it that compliance with requirements helps safety and their business. difficult to move in sync with the music and stay in front of the judges. It An interesting project that I recently worked on was certifying was the most challenging flight I’ve made, but a beautiful experience. Pipistrel’s Velis Electro. Alongside the technical aspect of certification, we were working on the regulatory framework. As there’s no piston engine in And your favourite airfield? this aircraft, aircrew, OPS and maintenance regulations needed to be Bernay, a small grass strip in Normandy. It has a nostalgic feel to it, like adapted – you can’t talk about ‘fuel reserves’. Certifying the battery GA from old times. The place still looks like it did 50 years ago. management system was challenging as well, because of the fire risk of lithium batteries. I really appreciated Pipistrel’s co-operative spirit, Do you get to fly much outside of work? working towards the same goal, it felt like we were one team. Yes, on weekends my wife and I often fly the four-seat TB-20 I share with I’m still involved as a test pilot, mostly for small aircraft. Whenever I colleagues. We visit our daughter who lives near Cannes, meet friends in get the chance I test aerobatic aircraft. Having flown 10 years in the Normandy or fly up to Wangerooge and Langeoog. On these islands French team, aerobatics is my passion. Aerobatic aircraft are wonderful north of Germany cars aren’t allowed, so we go for a walk. Our dog, a to fly, not only because of their high performance, but also in terms of German Pointer, loves joining us on these trips – she’s always the first to controllability. You can do so much more than with a normal aircraft. climb into the aircraft!
“Like breathing air, flying is an essential part of my life”
What training did you have? Working for Avions Mudry & Cie, a small company designing and building aerobatic aircraft, I got some on-the-job training testing aircraft. In 2010 I went to EPNER test pilot school at Istres Airbase where I obtained my test pilot licence. I had already started working at EASA in 2005, first as a team leader and test pilot GA. Since April 2019, I’ve been Head of the General Aviation Department. 18 | FLYER | September 2020
What’s the most valuable career advice you’ve received? Don’t focus too much on predesigned career plans. I never planned to become an aerobatic pilot, test pilot or Head of GA. When I was young, I always assumed I’d get a job as an airline pilot. At the end of the day, it was more a case of being open to opportunities and following my destiny, than of having a clear-cut career path.
