Supervisory Aircraft Pilot (Flight Test Section Manager) (Temp Opportunity)

Department of Transportation; United States; On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Department of Transportation seeks a Supervisory Aircraft Pilot (Flight Test) Section Manager to lead multiple teams in support of AIR and AVS mission objectives.

The role requires extensive pilot knowledge, flight testing of developmental aircraft, and management of staff and programs with emphasis on safety, compliance, and airworthiness considerations.

Qualifications

• Minimum eligibility requires FAA pilot certificates and/or military ratings.
• Flight hour requirements and related knowledge must be met by closing date of vacancy.

Responsibilities

• Supervise multiple employees and organizational units in support of AIR and AVS mission.
• Ensure work aligns with FAA flight operations and development programs.
• Oversee certification and flight test activities for developmental aircraft and components.

Skills

Flight testing

Education

FAA pilot certificates

Job description

The incumbent serves as the Supervisory Aircraft Pilot (Flight Test) Section Manager, directly supervising multiple employees and/or multiple organizational units. Responsible for assuring that the work of the organization directly supports the mission of AIR and AVS.

Complete OPM Qualifications Standard for the Aircraft Operation Series, 2181, available at:

https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/2100/aircraft-operation-series-2181/

To qualify for this position, you must demonstrate in your application that you possess at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to FV-J, FG/GS-14. Specialized experience is experience that has equipped you with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position.

Specialized experience includes:application of specialized knowledge, practices, principles, theories, concepts, methods, techniques and abilities involving: 1) piloting or co-piloting of aircraft to carry out various programs and functions of the FAA; 2) flight testing of developmental and modified aircraft and components; 3) performing staff work concerned with planning, analyzing, or administering agency aviation programs, where the work requires primarily the application of pilot knowledge and skills.

Minimum eligibility requirements are based on possession of the appropriate Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) pilot certificates and/or appropriate military ratings, meeting the applicable flight hour requirements and possession of the knowledge and skills required for the position.

All applicants MUST possess a valid first or second-class medical certificate. External candidates must obtain a first-class medical certificate prior to appointment (Current AIR and Supervisory Flight Test Pilot's maintain second-class medical certificate).

Candidates must possess a current Commercial Pilot Certificate or Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) rating with airplane single-engine and multi-engine land and instrument ratings or the appropriate military ratings (Refer to Required Documents Section).

Qualifications are based on possession of the appropriate Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) pilot certificates and/or appropriate military ratings, meeting the applicable flight hour requirements and possession of the knowledge and skills required for the position.

Candidates must demonstrate possession of the knowledge and skills required for the work by meeting certain minimum flight hour requirements, including recency of flight experience. Only that flight experience that is directly related to the work of the position is required for purposes of establishing minimum eligibility.

NOTE: Candidates establishing eligibility based on military flight experience must provide official orders, forms, or logbooks showing their status as a rated military pilot, flight instructor, or flight examiner, as appropriate.

Flight test positions also require completion of a flight test school such as a military flight test school, or at least 1 year of experience either flight testing aircraft for engineering approval (civilian or military) or analyzing aircraft performance data.

NOTE: Acceptable engineering flight test experience must have been for the purpose of establishing the basic airworthiness of prototype aircraft or component parts in the experimental/developmental stage. This experience includes flight testing of an aircraft or component from the time of first developmental flight testing through final FAA certification or military acceptance testing. This experience must include basic stability, controllability, and performance testing to determine compliance with civil, military, or foreign standards.

The following flight hour requirements apply:

1. Total Flight Time-1750 hours, Flight time as pilot-in-command or second-in-command (copilot) in aircraft of any weight or category is creditable for this requirement. For in-service placements actions, up to one-fourth of the total flight hours may by waived for candidates who have demonstrated possession of the knowledge and skills needed to perform the work, provided they hold the certificates and ratings required; have acquired the pilot-in-command hours and flight hours in other categories essential to performance of the work; meet the requirements in terms of level and quality of experience; and flying history indicated they are qualified for the position.

2. Pilot-In-Command-1150 hours, only flight hours acquired as pilot-in-command are creditable.

3. Night Flying-75 hours, for in-service placement actions, 25 hours may be waived if the candidate demonstrates the ability to perform the work

4. Flying Time, Last 12 Months-100 hours, at least one-fourth of the total hours must be in either fixed wing or rotary wing aircraft. For in-service placement actions, up to one-half of the flight hours may be waived provided the individual's total background reflects the ability to perform the duties of the position safely.

5. Multi-engine Airplane-500 hours, Position requires operation of heavy multi-engine airplanes (i.e., gross takeoff weight in excess of 12,500 pounds). At least 50 percent of the flight hours must have been in such heavy airplanes. Up to 250 hours flying time acquired in heavy helicopters (gross takeoff weight in excess of 12,500 pounds) may be substituted.

6. Instrument-75 hours, At least 10 of the required hours must have been logged in actual instrument weather. The balance may have been acquired in a flight simulator or as other types of instrument flight time, e.g., hood instrument.

Training Requirement: Failure to successfully complete all required training, including the FAA initial flight test training course, and to obtain all required certificates may result in reassignment, demotion, or dismissal.

Flight Check: Candidates may be required to demonstrate proficiency in an aircraft, including a flight check to demonstrate ability to perform flight test techniques. Candidates will be evaluated on the quality of their experience as it pertains to the specific positions being filled.

Applicants may be asked to verify information on your application for employment with the FAA.

Qualifications must be met by the closing date of this vacancy announcement.