Markus Schmidt

Director Flight Operations | NPFO | CP TRE TRI B737

Essen, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany

About

Aviation executive with extensive leadership experience in flight operations, safety management and fleet command across both major airline and globally operating ACMI environments. Proven track record as Director Flight Operations, Head of Fleet B737 and Chief Pilot, combining operational credibility, regulatory depth and executive leadership. Expert knowledge of EASA Air Operations Regulation 965/2012, Aircrew Regulation 1178/2011, Safety Management Systems Regulation 996/2010 and Occurrence Reporting Regulation 376/2014, supported by multinational project experience, including Boeing 737 MAX Return-to-Service, support for AOC start-up, area of operation extension from Europe to Middle East, Africa and Asia. Qualified TRI/TRE Boeing 737, MCCI and IRI, with substantial experience in pilot training, checking, standards, recruitment and assessment. Successfully developed and implemented selection procedures for both junior and senior pilots, with a clear focus on competence, operational judgement and long-term organisational fit. Strong record in driving corporate safety culture, leadership transformation and behaviour-based safety initiatives with measurable operational impact. Experienced in developing essential leadership capabilities and facilitating high-value workshops for senior leadership teams to accelerate alignment, accountability and execution. Additional background as EMT-I paramedic, CRM lecturer and course developer in high-reliability environments, with strong expertise in train-the-trainer methodology and implementation-focused learning design. I bring operational authority, instructional credibility and strategic leadership to organisations where safety, performance and culture must work together without compromise.

Experience

  • FLY4 Airlines (Full-time · 2 yrs 7 mos)
    • Director Flight Operations | NPFO
      Dec 2025 - Present · 8 mos

    • Head of Flight Operations & Deputy Nominated Person Flight Operations
      Jan 2024 - Dec 2025 · 2 yrs

      FLY4 Airlines will be offering exceptional, flexible and bespoke wet and damp leasing solutions that help our valued customers across Europe and around the world overcome any fleet capacity challenges they may be facing.

  • Reservist at Bundeswehr Wir. Dienen. Deutschland.
    Apr 2025 - Present · 1 yr 4 mos

  • CockpitMedizin (11 yrs 7 mos)
    • Inhaber
      Jun 2015 - Present · 11 yrs 2 mos

      CockpitMedizin trainiert die, die in kritischen Sitautionen führen müssen

    • Flight Instructor & Examiner Boeing 737
      Jan 2015 - Present · 11 yrs 7 mos

      TRE | TRI unrestricted | MCCI | IRI | MPL | TKI | NF - Examiner DGAC France

    • Medical Leadership & Human Factors Training
      Jan 2015 - Present · 11 yrs 7 mos

      High Reliability Organisation HRO - Leadership Training

  • Senior Consultant, Operations Risk and Safety Management at dss⁺
    Aug 2022 - Dec 2023 · 1 yr 5 mos

    Protect. Transform. Sustain | dss+ helps its clients to save lives and create a sustainable future, as they find exciting ways for organisations around the world to work safer, smarter and with purpose.

  • TRE | TRI Boeing 737 | MCCI | MPLI | IRI at TFC Käufer European Airline Services
    Apr 2005 - Dec 2023 · 18 yrs 9 mos