11,324
Total Hours
6,982
PIC Hours
8,367
B747-400 Hours
5,400
B747-400 PIC
20+
Years Flying

Professional Profile

WIDE-BODY
COMMANDER

I am Arjen Dekker, a passionate aviator who began my flying journey at the young age of 15. Holder of an EASA Airline Transport Pilot License (ATPL), I am an aviation specialist and professional commander with outstanding leadership skills and extensive worldwide flying experience.

Highly experienced in long-haul cargo operations, recognized for strong leadership, safety performance, and procedural discipline. Proven ability to operate in complex, high-risk environments — applying advanced Threat and Error Management (TEM), effective Crew Resource Management (CRM), and sound command decision-making.

"A mile of highway will take you a mile. A mile of runway will take you anywhere."

Throughout my career I specialized in Air Cargo / Air Freight and ACMI operations. Operational experience spans North Atlantic, Europe, North America, South America, Africa, Asia, Middle East, Far East, Pacific and Russia — truly global long-haul operations. Additional roles include Trusted Pilot, FDM Gatekeeper, pilot recruitment, and development of paperless training and checking systems.

SafeEfficientFlexibleFriendly Customer FocusedTeam PlayerMotivated DiscreteReliableLoyal

At a Glance

QUICK
FACTS

Personal

NationalityDutch (Netherlands)
Age47
EducationB-Eng (Ing.) · Windesheim University
Flight SchoolCAE – NLS · Dutch National Flightschool
Flight LicenseEASA ATPL(A)
MedicalEASA Class I
US VisaC1/D
BasedEurope

Languages

Dutch
Dutch
Native
English
English
ICAO Level 6
Spanish
Spanish
Fluent
German
German
Professional

What I Bring

KEY STRENGTHS

Airmanship · Safety Leadership

Professional Discipline & Regulatory Compliance

Demonstrates uncompromising adherence to SOPs, regulatory requirements, and company procedures, reinforcing a strong safety culture. Applies sound airmanship by understanding the intent behind procedures and ensuring consistent, compliant decision-making in all operational environments.

TEM · Problem Solving

Analytical Decision Making & Threat and Error Management

Utilizes structured, evidence-based decision-making to identify root causes and implement effective solutions under time pressure. Proactively applies Threat and Error Management principles to anticipate, mitigate, and manage operational risks before escalation.

CRM · Command Presence

Leadership Communication & Crew Resource Management

Communicates with clarity, precision, and authority, fostering an open and effective CRM environment. Adapts communication style to diverse audiences — flight crew, cabin crew, ATC, ground operations — to ensure shared situational awareness, efficient coordination, and safe outcomes.

Beyond the Cockpit

OPERATIONAL &
LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE

Leadership & Operations
  • Trusted Pilot & FDM Gatekeeper
    Safety data monitoring, liaison with flight operations management
  • Pilot Recruitment
    Candidate assessment and selection processes
  • Operational Projects
    Crew hotel and catering contract evaluation & negotiation · Development and implementation of paperless training and checking systems
  • Chairman
    University Study Foundation
Specialized Operations
  • VVIP / Government Flights
    High-security, high-precision missions in Africa
  • Special Operations
    Conflict zones, humanitarian missions, jungle, desert, and extreme winter operations
  • High-Risk Environments
    Demonstrated advanced TEM, adaptability, and decision-making under pressure
Education & Technical Background
  • Bachelor of Engineering (B-Eng)
    Industrial Design — analytical, systems-thinking, and problem-solving foundation
  • Early Career
    Technical Designer · QS 9000 Quality Systems Implementation & Auditor · Engineering & production environment
  • Technology & AI Minded
    Grounded in engineering principles and genuinely passionate about technology — actively embracing AI tools, automation, and digital innovation in flight operations. Applies a structured, data-driven mindset to evaluate how emerging technologies can improve safety, efficiency, and operational decision-making in modern aviation.
Technical & IT Proficiency
  • EFB & Flight Ops
    Jeppesen FD Pro · Lido · Boeing OPT · Boeing Aviator
  • Training & Ops Platforms
    CAE Pelesys · Skybook · Flyco
  • General IT
    macOS · Windows · Android · Microsoft Teams · Airwatch

Logbook

FLIGHT HOURS

CategoryHours
Total Time11,324
Multi Engine11,178
CS-25 Multi Pilot11,156
Single Engine146
Aircraft Type Captain / PIC First Officer / SIC
PIC SIC
Boeing 747-400 5,400 2,967
DHC-8 Q315 1,480 1,310
Light Aircraft 3 types 102 65
Total 6,982 4,342

Qualifications

LICENSES · RATINGS
CERTIFICATES

EASA ATPL(A)Airline Transport Pilot
EASA Class I MedicalCurrent & Valid
Boeing B747-400 Type RatingB747-400
Bombardier DHC-8 Q315 Type RatingDHC-8 Q315
Line Training & Checking CommanderLTC
ICAO English Language ProficiencyLPE Level 6
Multi-Crew CooperationMCC
Upset Prevention and Recovery TrainingUPRT
Electronic Flight BagEFB
Precision Runway Monitor ApproachesPRM
CAT III Low Visibility ProceduresLVO CAT III
North Atlantic High Level AirspaceNAT-HLA · MNPS
Future Air Navigation SystemFANS
Reduced Vertical Separation MinimaRVSM
Performance Based NavigationPBN
IATA Dangerous Goods RegulationsDGR
Emergency & Safety Equipment TrainingESET
Crew Resource ManagementCRM
Safety Management SystemSMS
Flight Data Monitoring GatekeeperFDM
Fatigue Risk Management SystemFRMS
Threat and Error ManagementTEM
Right-Hand Seat QualificationRHS
First AidFirst Aid

Employment History

CAREER
TIMELINE

Jan 2026 — Present
LTC Captain B747-400
Compass Cargo Airlines
Current B747-400 · Boeing

Sofia, Bulgaria · Dubai, UAE

Nominated Line Training Captain. Responsible for line training, checking, and standardization of flight crew on B747-400F operations. Worldwide scheduled and non-scheduled cargo flights operated on behalf of Emirates SkyCargo.

Dec 2024 — Jan 2026
Captain B747-400
Compass Cargo Airlines
B747-400 · Boeing

Sofia, Bulgaria · Dubai, UAE

Worldwide scheduled and non-scheduled cargo flights for Emirates SkyCargo.

Feb 2018 — Dec 2024
Captain B747-400
MyCargo Airlines
B747-400 · Boeing

Istanbul, Turkey · Jeddah, Saudi Arabia · Doha, Qatar

Part of HNA Group. Worldwide scheduled and non-scheduled cargo flights for Qatar Airways, Saudi Airlines, Turkish Airlines, DHL and UPS.

Mar 2017 — Jan 2018
Captain B747-400
Cargolux Italia
B747-400 · Boeing

Milan, Italy

High-quality scheduled and chartered global cargo flights.

May 2015 — Jan 2018
Trusted Pilot & FDM Gatekeeper
Cargolux Italia

Milan, Italy

Elected Trusted Pilot and Flight Data Monitoring Gatekeeper. Safety data monitoring and liaison with flight operations management. Development of paperless training and checking systems.

Jun 2011 — Mar 2017
First Officer B747-400
Cargolux Italia
B747-400 · Boeing

Milan, Italy

High-quality scheduled and chartered global cargo flights.

Sep 2006 — Aug 2010
Captain DHC-8 Q315
Denim Air
DHC-8 · Bombardier

Amsterdam, NL · Barcelona, Spain · Lagos, Nigeria

Scheduled passenger and chartered VVIP flights for Air Nostrum Iberia Regional and Arik Air. Special operations including conflict zones, humanitarian missions, and high-security VVIP government flights in Africa.

May 2004 — Sep 2006
First Officer DHC-8 Q315
Denim Air
DHC-8 · Bombardier

Amsterdam, NL

Scheduled passenger and chartered VVIP flights for Air Nostrum Iberia Regional.

Open to Opportunities

LET'S
CONNECT

Open to Captain and command opportunities in widebody cargo, passenger, ACMI, and business aviation. Based in Europe. Available for international operations worldwide.

Send a Message