Chief Pilot - Part 135 Operations (PHF)

All Aviation Jobs; Newport News (VA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental, and vision insurance

401(k) with company match

Paid time off and holidays

Training and professional development

Job summary

Aery Aviation LLC is seeking a Chief Pilot to lead the Newport News/Williamsburg flight operations base. The role ensures safe, efficient Part 135 operations supporting charter and Special Mission Medical flights, with an emphasis on leadership and regulatory compliance.

The ideal candidate has extensive Part 135 flight experience, recent Learjet 45 or Beechcraft Premier flying, and strong communication and organizational skills to manage crews and safety programs.

Qualifications

• Must hold ATP Certificate with appropriate category and class ratings.
• Current FAA First Class Medical Certificate.
• Eligible to serve as Chief Pilot under FAA Part 119.
• Minimum 4,000 hours total flight time.
• Minimum 2,000 hours PIC.
• Minimum 500 hours turbine PIC.
• Previous Part 135 operational experience.
• Demonstrated leadership and crew management experience.
• Experience logging Learjet 45/45XR and/or Beechcraft Premier in last 24 months.

Responsibilities

• Serve as Chief Pilot under FAA Part 119 and Part 135 requirements.
• Provide leadership and oversight to flight crews.
• Ensure compliance with FAA regs, OpsSpecs and SMS.
• Manage pilot hiring, training, standardization, and qualifications.
• Conduct pilot evaluations, line checks, and proficiency oversight.
• Coordinate with Ops, Maintenance, Dispatch, and Safety teams.
• Promote safety culture and proactive risk management.
• Participate in client meetings, audits, and planning.
• Support on‑call ops and irregular operations.

Skills

Leadership

Crew management

Safety culture

FAA compliance

Hiring & training

Communication

Organizational skills

Education

ATP Certificate

FAA First Class Medical

Part 119 eligibility

Learjet 45 type rating

Premier 1/1A type rating

Tools

Learjet 45

Beechcraft Premier 1/1A

Job description

About Aery Aviation LLC

Aery Aviation operates a diverse fleet supporting executive charter, Special Mission Medical transport, organ procurement missions, and government operations. Our Cleveland operation serves as a critical hub for life-saving transplant and medical transportation missions throughout the United States. This position offers the opportunity to lead a professional flight department while directly supporting missions that make a meaningful impact on patient care and organ transplantation.

About Aery Aviation LLC

Aery Aviation operates a diverse fleet supporting executive charter, Special Mission Medical transport, organ procurement missions, and government operations. Our Cleveland operation serves as a critical hub for life‑saving transplant and medical transportation missions throughout the United States. This position offers the opportunity to lead a professional flight department while directly supporting missions that make a meaningful impact on patient care and organ transplantation.

Who We Are Looking For

Aery Aviation is seeking an experienced and highly motivated Chief Pilot to lead our flight operations team based at Newport News/Williamsburg International Airport. This leadership position is responsible for ensuring the safe, efficient, and compliant operation of our Part 135 flight department while supporting our growing charter and Special Mission Medical (SMM) operations. The ideal candidate will possess strong leadership skills, extensive Part 135 operational experience, and recent experience operating the Beechcraft Premier 1/1A and/or Learjet 45 series aircraft.

What You Will Be Doing

• Serve as Chief Pilot in accordance with FAA Part 119 and Part 135 requirements.
• Provide leadership, mentorship, and oversight to assigned flight crews.
• Ensure compliance with all FAA regulations, company policies, OpSpecs, and Safety Management System (SMS) requirements.
• Manage pilot hiring, training, standardization, and qualification programs.
• Conduct pilot evaluations, line checks, and proficiency oversight.
• Coordinate with Operations Control, Maintenance, Dispatch, and Safety personnel to ensure safe and efficient operations.
• Promote a strong safety culture and proactive risk management throughout the organization.
• Participate in client meetings, audits, accreditation efforts, and operational planning.
• Support on‑call operational needs and irregular operations as required.

You Must Have

• ATP Certificate with appropriate category and class ratings.
• Current FAA First Class Medical Certificate.
• Eligible to serve as Chief Pilot under FAA Part 119 requirements.
• Minimum 4,000 hours total flight time.
• Minimum 2,000 hours PIC.
• Minimum 500 hours turbine PIC.
• Previous Part 135 operational experience.
• Demonstrated leadership and crew management experience.
• Excellent communication and organizational skills.
• Must have logged operational experience in a Learjet 45/45XR and/or Beechcraft Premier 1/1A within the last 24 months.
• Current type rating in the Learjet 45 series and/or Beechcraft Premier preferred; candidates with recent experience and ability to complete company training will also be considered.

Nice To Haves

• Previous experience as a Chief Pilot, Assistant Chief Pilot, Check Airman, or Director of Operations.
• Experience managing multi‑aircraft Part 135 operations.
• Experience with air ambulance, organ procurement, critical care transport, or special mission operations.
• Experience working within a Safety Management System (SMS).
• Experience with FAA inspections, audits, and accreditation programs.
• Experience operating throughout the Midwest and Northeast United States.

Aery Aviation job descriptions are meant as summarizations only. They do not necessarily reflect all duties and responsibilities of a position.

If this opportunity excites you, come join our team!

For Aery Aviation, the question isn’t: “Can we?” When others are limited in the common approach, Aery Aviation jumps into higher gear asking, “How can we do this?” and then proceeds into problem‑solving for customers. This is what customers appreciate most about Aery Aviation - avid tenacity. It’s not cookie cutter production that Aery Aviation is cultivating; it is projects that inspire the Aery Aviation work‑family to come together and brainstorm, excited to come to work every day because there is always something inventive and interesting to work on.

Compensation And Benefits

• Competitive salary commensurate with experience.
• Performance bonus opportunities.
• Health, dental, and vision insurance.
• Paid time off and company holidays.
• 401(k) with company match.
• Training and professional development opportunities.

Learn more about Aery Aviation, LLC at www.aeryaviation.com.

Aery Aviation, LLC is an Equal Opportunity Employer

At Aery Aviation, we are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic as outlined by federal, state, or local laws.