AIRCRAFT MECHANIC
Headquarters, Air Force Reserve Command
Posted: April 3, 2026 (1 day ago)
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U.S. Special Operations Command (Army)
Department of the Army
Location
Fort Bragg, North Carolina
Salary
$111,147 - $144,493
per year
Type
Full-Time
More Education & Training jobs →Closes
Base salary range: $62,107 - $80,737
Typical requirements: 1 year specialized experience at GS-10. Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree, or 3 years graduate study.
Note: Actual salary includes locality pay (15-40%+ depending on location).
This job involves training pilots and conducting flight examinations on military aircraft like helicopters and small planes, primarily at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, for the U.S.
Army's Special Operations Command. It requires hands-on flying experience in complex aircraft and the ability to serve as a lead instructor or co-pilot on missions.
A good fit would be a seasoned military or civilian pilot with strong teaching skills and a passion for aviation safety in high-stakes environments.
About the Position: Serves as Instructor Pilot, Instrument Flight Examiner, Pilot-in-Command or Co-Pilot on assigned missions in complex multi-engine rotary wing aircraft (UH-60) or complex multi- engine fixed-wing aircraft including the C-27J Spartan,C-12 Huron and CASA-212 Aviocar.
Who May Apply: Only applicants who meet one of the employment authority categories below are eligible to apply for this job.
You will be asked to identify which category or categories you meet, and to provide documents which prove you meet the category or categories you selected.
See Proof of Eligibility for an extensive list of document requirements for all employment authorities.
30 Percent or More Disabled Veterans Current Department of Army Civilian Employees Defense Civilian Intelligence Personnel System (DCIPS) Interchange Agreement Executive Order (E.O.) 12721 Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act Military Spouses, under Executive Order (E.O.) 13473 People with Disabilities, Schedule A Priority Placement Program, DoD Military Reserve (MR) and National Guard (NG) Technician Eligible Priority Placement Program, DoD Military Spouse Preference (MSP) Eligible Priority Placement Program, DoD MR and NG Preference Eligible Tech Receiving Disability Retirement Priority Placement Program, DoD Retained Grade Preference Eligible Veterans Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA) of 1998 In order to qualify, you must meet the experience requirements described below.
Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student; social).
You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
Your resume must clearly describe your relevant experience; if qualifying based on education, your transcripts will be required as part of your application.
Additional information about transcripts is in this document.
Minimum Eligibility Requirements: Minimum eligibility requirements for positions in this occupation are based on possession of the appropriate Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) pilot certificates and/or appropriate military equivalent aviator ratings, meeting the applicable flight hour requirements, and possession of the knowledge and skills required for the positions.
Minimum Eligibility Requirements: A current Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) pilot certificate and/or appropriate military ratings and possess the knowledge and skills required for the position.
NOTE: You must submit documentation to provide proof of certification and/or rating.
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.
Other certificates that meet or exceed the requirements of the Commercial Pilot Certificate are also acceptable, e.g., an Airline Transport Pilot Certificate.
AND Certification and Ratings: A current Commercial Pilot Certificate or the appropriate military aviator rating. NOTE: You must submit documentation to provide proof of certification and/or rating.
NOTE: If you are establishing eligibility based on flight experience you must provide official orders, forms, or logbooks showing your status as a rated military pilot, flight instructor, or flight examiner, as appropriate.
In addition to meeting the basic requirement above, to qualify for this position you must also meet the qualification requirements listed below: Minimum Flight Hour Requirements: The following flight hour requirements apply to all applicants:1.
Total Flight Time (1250 flight hours) -- Flight time as pilot-in-command or copilot in aircraft of any weight or category is creditable for this requirement.
For inservice 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; they have acquired the pilot-in-command hours and flight hours in other categories essential to performance of the work; they meet the requirements in terms of level and quality of experience; and their flying history indicates they are qualified for the position.2.
Pilot-In-Command (250 flight hours) -- Only flight hours acquired as pilot-in-command are creditable.3.
Night Flying (75 flight hours) -- For inservice placement actions at the GS-11 level and above, 25 hours may be waived if the candidate demonstrates the ability to perform the work.4.
Flying Time, Last 12 Months (60 flight hours) -- Required only for positions that involve flying. The flight hours specified apply to competitive appointments.
For inservice 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.
For positions flying both helicopters and airplanes, at least one-fourth of the total hours must be in either category of aircraft.
The following flight hour requirements apply because the position requires the particular specialty:1.
Multi-engine Airplane (250 flight hours) -- When the 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, except as indicated below.
Up to 250 hours flying time acquired in heavy helicopters (gross takeoff weight in excess of 12,500 pounds) may be substituted.
For Airspace System Inspection Pilot positions with the FAA, experience may have been in either light or heavy multi-engine airplanes.2.
Instrument (50 flight hours) -- At the GS-11 level and above, 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.3.
Instructor Time (250 flight hours) of instructor time -- Must be related to the nature of the instruction work and the category of aircraft operated in the position to be filled.
If the purpose of the position is to provide instruction in instrument flight techniques, one-half of the flight time must have involved instrument instruction in either airplanes or helicopter.
NOTE: You must submit proof of Flight hours.
Medical Requirements At the time of initial appointment, candidates for all pilot positions must possess a current first, second or third-class medical certificate in accordance with FAA regulations; both meet the intent of the requirement.
NOTE: You must submit documentation to provide proof of certification. Specialized Experience: One year of specialized military/FAA civilian flight experience which includes 1.
Knowledge of Regulations, Procedures or Laws in accordance with Instrument Flight Rules (IFR); 2. Performing pre-mission planning such as, evaluation of aviation weather reports. 3.
Preparing flight documentation using publications and maps; 4.
Experience in flying multiengine fixed wing aircrafts with preferred experience in C27J, C-12 or CASA 212 or equivalent size and gross weight aircraft for mission performance; 5.
Instructing military/civilian pilots in both in ground instruction and in-flight training; 6.
Managing military/civilian flight crew endurance policy to ensure the maximum availability of aircrews to support the organization goals and missions.
This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the next lower grade/level position in the federal service GS-12.
You will be evaluated on the basis of your level of competency in the following areas: Decision Making Education and Training Flight Systems Oral Communication Technical Competence Time in Grade Requirement: Applicants who have held a General Schedule (GS) position within the last 52 weeks must have 52 weeks of Federal service at the next lower grade or equivalent (GS-12).
Major Duties:
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