In order to pursue a lifelong passion for aviation, Ben Daniel joined the UK MoD in 2000, following completion of a BA(Hons) in English and German at the University of Stirling. He completed training as a Sea King HC Mk4 Junglie Pilot in the Royal Navy in 2005 and joined 846 NAS.
After 3 years on the Sea King, conducting operations in arctic, maritime and desert conditions, he converted onto the Lynx (Mk7 and Mk 9A) and joined 847 NAS. A further 5 years of worldwide operational tasking, including jungle, arctic, desert and maritime operations, ensued prior to taking up the roles of Air Safety Officer at RNAS Yeovilton and Air Experience Flight Pilot on the Grob Tutor with 727 NAS.
Having left the Royal Navy in 2016, he spent 2 years working within the UAS industry, delivering operations on small and medium unmanned platforms across Europe. He joined Babcock Mission Critical Services (BMCS) Onshore as an Air Ambulance Pilot in Inverness in 2018 on the AH H145 and EC135, delivering day, night and NVG HEMS missions throughout Scotland.
In 2020, he transferred to BMCS Offshore (now Offshore Helicopter Services UK) in Aberdeen and converted onto the H175, delivering North Sea Crew Change operations.
With backgrounds in training, as an Instrument Rating Instructor and Examiner, a Night Vision Goggle Instructor and a Human Factors Instructor and Examiner, and Flight Safety, he commenced the role of Aberdeen Base Flight Safety Officer in 2021.
Outside aviation, Ben lives with his wife and young family in Aberdeenshire and enjoys the many and varied benefits and opportunities of living within close proximity of miles of beautiful coastline and plentiful mountains.