Supervisory Aircraft Pilot) (Temporary Opportunity) (Flight Test)

Full Job Description

As a supervisor/manager, the selectee for this position will be eligible to receive a Manager Performance Incentive (MPI) provided eligibility requirements noted in agency policy are met.

The MPI is an annual lump-sum incentive payment that considers agency performance, the manager's individual performance, and available funding.

Incumbent serves as a Flight Test Pilot and manages the Aircraft Certification Service Flight Test Program.

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: Experience in developing plans and techniques to improve programs; Managing and directing work involved in the application of aviation safety regulations, policies and objectives to identify, define, or organize work for multiple work activities; Setting priorities and establishing schedules for completion.

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 indicates 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.

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/ 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. Major Duties:

Incumbent is responsible for the supervision and management of the Aircraft Certification Service (AIR) Flight Test activities at a National level and reports directly to the AIR Flight Test Program Executive.

Incumbent is responsible for the safe and effective implementation of flight test activities through the supervision of a cadre of Flight Test Managers who are geographically distributed throughout the United States.

The work is typically governed by established policies, procedures, and organizational objectives that frequently leave room for discretion.

Regularly called upon to identify problem areas and to develop and recommend new policies and procedures for resolution.

Individual and organizational performance is reviewed periodically by higher-level management, usually through status reports and organizational performance measures.

The Manager has discretion to ensure the alignment of projects/programs of the Aircraft Certification Service (AIR) National Flight Test activities.

Develop mutually rewarding relationships with fellow employees, industry and stakeholders demonstrated by conducting activities to the highest ethical and professional standards by communicating effectively, remaining flexible, respecting differing opinions, and exercising patience in challenging situations.

Managerial duties involve planning; setting priorities, assigning tasks and responsibilities; succession planning; monitoring and evaluating performance; mentoring, coaching and developing employee capabilities; approving leave; budget preparation, to include; travel, overtime, and local flight training allowances; ensuring that the staff meets medical and drug screening requirements and taking, recommending or approving corrective/disciplinary action, as necessary.

Supervisory Flight Test Branch Manager will assure that the subordinate managers work in close coordination with the local AIR offices responsible for carrying out certification activities.

Incumbent manages the flight test aspects of Continued Operational Safety (COS), delegation oversight, training, and certification of aircraft from a national perspective.

The Manager is responsible for assuring that the AIR Flight Test Program is administered and monitored in accordance with applicable regulations, policy, and guidance and maintains an awareness of all AIR flight activities.

Incumbent (or his designee) serves as a member of, and leads, the Flight Test Leadership Team. The incumbent will be responsible for developing an office structure to support the mission.

The incumbent is expected to maintain flight currency in accordance with national policy for flight test managers.