Chief Pilot

Air Methods; Greenwood Village, Northern (CO, KY); On-site; USD 130,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation to Denver

STIP

Job summary

Air Methods is seeking a Chief Pilot to lead the pilot workforce, ensure regulatory compliance, and drive safety standards across a large air medical program. You will own the FAA-approved training program, oversee hiring, training, scheduling, and performance, and collaborate with unions as needed.

The role requires PIC qualifications, robust leadership, and a track record of developing pilots and program standards. Relocation to Denver is required as part of the job.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree (BS/BA) from a four-year college or university with 5–8 years related experience or equivalent
• Minimum of 2,500 flight hours
• 3+ years in past 6 years as PIC of aircraft operated under Part 121 or Part 135; or 3 years PIC if prior Chief Pilot
• Previous experience maintaining and standardizing pilot training programs preferred
• Proven leadership and employee development experience
• Knowledge of CFR Part 119 and FAA regulations

Responsibilities

• Lead Flight Operations staff and ensure safety of Flight Operations
• Ensure regulatory compliance with all flight operations and pilot training
• Team development and mentorship
• Monitor work-life balance with pilot flight and duty times
• Meet company objectives and create a positive work environment
• Identify, select and train Company Instructors and Check Airman
• Ensure pilots conduct all flights in accordance with GOM and CFRs
• Supervise scheduling of training and checkride process
• Administrative duties for pilot staff including recruitment, training, reviews, scheduling, time off, compensation
• Disseminate safety, flight, and company information promptly
• Participate in Safety Management System (SMS)
• Standardize aircraft procedures across fleet
• Maintain proficiency records, pilot files, duty time records, reports
• Develop policies for flight instructors and check pilots
• In absence of Director of Operations, assume D.O.O. duties and authorities

Skills

Leadership & people development

Regulatory compliance

Flight operations management

Team development & mentorship

Effective communication

Labor relations

Education

Bachelor’s degree (BS/BA) from a four-year college or university

Commercial Pilot Certificate

Airline Transport Pilot Certificate (preferred)

Certified Flight Instructor (preferred)

Certified Instrument Instructor (preferred)

FAA Second Class Medical (required)

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Overview

The Chief Pilot is responsible for the overall leadership, operational readiness, and regulatory compliance of the pilot workforce. This includes oversight of pilot hiring, training, scheduling, performance management, and labor relations, including direct engagement with the pilot union. The role ensures adherence to all FAA regulations and company policies, while proactively identifying and resolving compliance risks.

The Chief Pilot establishes and enforces flight standards, maintains operational discipline across all bases, and ensures consistency in pilot performance and safety practices. This position owns the FAA-approved training program, ensuring it remains current, effective, and compliant, along with all required flight manuals and publications.

In addition to maintaining qualification as Pilot in Command (PIC) in at least one aircraft within the certificate holder’s operation, the Chief Pilot represents the organization in industry groups and FAA safety forums, contributing to broader aviation safety initiatives and staying ahead of regulatory and operational changes.

At Air Methods, this role directly supports a mission-critical operation focused on saving lives through rapid, high-quality air medical transport. The Chief Pilot operates within one of the largest and most complex air medical programs in the country, with the ability to influence safety, standardization, and pilot development at scale. This position offers the opportunity to shape operations, drive meaningful impact, and lead within an organization where aviation performance directly affects patient outcomes.Salary Range: $130k-$190K+ DOE, plus STIP!This position will require relocation to Denver.

Responsibilities

• Manageall Flight Operations staff and ensuresafetyofFlight Operations.
• Ensure regulatory compliance withall flight operations and pilot training.Effective flight developmentand standardization oftraining.
• Team development and mentorship.
• Monitorwork life balance withPilotflight and duty times.
• Meeting companyobjectivesand creating a positive work environment.
• Identify,selectand train Company Instructors and Check Airman.
• Responsible forascertainingand assuring that pilots conduct all flights,in accordance withthe provisions of the GOM and currentCFRs.
• Supervises schedulingoftraining andcheckrideprocess.
• Administrative responsibilities for the pilotstaff toinclude recruitment, training, reviews,scheduling,time off requests, and compensation adjustments.
• Dissemination of all pertinent safety, flight, and company informationin a timely manner.
• Activelyparticipatesin the company’s Safety Management System (SMS) and isfamiliar with the SMS policies, processes, and procedures.
• Ensureaircraftprocedures are standardized throughout the fleet.
• Responsible for ensuring the maintenance ofproficiencyrecords, pilot files, duty time records, reports, and correspondencepertaining toflight operations activitiesin accordance withthe CFRs.
• Responsible for the development of policies for Air Methods flight instructors, ground instructors, and check pilots.

In the absence of the Director of Operations, the Chief Pilot shall assume the Director of Operations duties and authoritiesincluding but are not limited to:

• Coordinate with the FAA concerning company training and flight operations.Communicate and work effectively with all company departments and managers.
• Respond to pilot complaints, safety concerns, Pilot Supervisor issues, and work with all departments with regards to flight safety.
• Conductinvestigations and provide adequate oversight of the Part 135 air carrier certificate.

Supervisory Responsibilities

Directly supervises employees in theFlight Operationsdepartment.Carries out Supervisory responsibilitiesin accordance withthe organization’s policies and applicable laws.Responsibilities include interviewing, selecting, hiring, and training employees, planning,assigningand directing work; appraising performance,rewardingand disciplining employees, addressing complaints and resolving problems.For Exempt Managers: Managersthat carry out these responsibilities for two or more employees will have significant input in hiring and termination decisions.

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily.The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.In accordance withapplicable laws, Air Methods will provide reasonable accommodations that do not create an undue burden so disabled employees may perform the essential functions of the position.

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree (BS/BA) from four-year college or university and fivetoeightyears’ related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience

• Minimum of 2,500 flight hours

• Minimum of 3years’ experience, within the past 6 years, as pilot in command of an aircraft operated under part 121 or part 135 of the CFRs; or, In the case of a person with previous experience as a Chief Pilot, have at least 3years’ experienceas pilot in command of an aircraft operated under part 121 or part 135.

• All other applicableminimumrequirements for the position as outlined inCFRPart 119.

• Previousexperiencewithmaintainingand standardizing pilot training programs preferred

• Proven successful leadership andemployee development experience.

Skills

• Professional demeanor and excellent interpersonal skills

• Effective oral and written communication skills

• Ability to manage and administer a broad range of tasks

• Ability to exercise sound judgment and make decisions in manner consistent with the essential job functions

• Ability to prepare written reports and correspondences, and presentations to senior leadership asrequired

• Ability to build andmaintainpositive relationships internally and externally

• Knowledge of Microsoft Office, including hardware and software applications

Computer Skills

• Proficientwith Microsoft Suite, including Word, Excel,PowerPointand Outlook

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations

• Commercial Pilot Certificate required/Airline Transport Pilot Certificate preferred (Airplane or Rotorcraft)

• Certified Flight Instructor preferred

• Certified Instrument Instructor preferred (Airplane or Rotorcraft)

• FAA Second Class Medicalrequiredif performing checkairmanor flight instructor duties

Minimum pay

USD $130,250.00/Yr.

Maximum Pay

USD $190,000.00/Yr.

Benefits

For more information on our industry-leading benefits, please visit our benefits page here.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)