Air National Guard Units | SF50 Pilot

About the Role

The Illinois National Guard is seeking a qualified Airplane Pilot (Title 32) for a GS-2181-13 position located within the IL 126 unit. This role involves piloting unit-equipped military aircraft, executing tactical and non-tactical missions, and performing administrative duties to support the Air Operations program. The pilot will operate advanced single or multi-engine military aircraft, including high-performance fighter aircraft, utilizing precision instrument flight techniques and advanced navigation aids in all weather conditions.

Responsibilities

• Pilot advanced military aircraft on assigned missions, adhering to flight parameters and executing standard procedures.
• Prepare for flights by securing weather information, planning routes, verifying aircraft readiness, and briefing crew and passengers.
• Operate aircraft with utmost safety, coordinating with ground units, monitoring performance, and employing emergency procedures when necessary.
• Complete post-flight activities, including maintaining logs and forms, writing reports, and coordinating with maintenance personnel.
• Serve as the Air Commander's representative as Supervisor of Flying (SOF), ensuring safe and efficient mission accomplishment.
• Design and coordinate comprehensive training plans and scenarios for technical aircrew training.
• Develop unit deliberate planning for wartime, base, and national tasking implementation.
• Plan, organize, and administer unit flying, explosive, and ground safety programs in accordance with Air Force, ANG, and OSHA directives.

Requirements

• Must be a member of the Illinois National Guard and hold the specified military grade (Officers only - NTE the rank of O4).
• Must have graduated from USAF or USN Undergraduate Flying Training (UFT).
• Must maintain the same medical standards as USAF military pilots.
• Males born after 31 December 1959 must be registered for Selective Service.
• Must obtain and maintain a Top Secret clearance.
• Federal employment suitability determined by a background investigation.
• May be required to successfully complete a trial period.
• Must be aware of and comply with the Gun Control Act (Lautenberg Amendment) of 1968 regarding domestic violence offenses.
• Irregular, overtime, or other than normal duty hours may be required.
• Drug testing may be required.
• May be required to travel by military or commercial air.
• Work may require access to classified information.
• Participation in direct deposit is mandatory.

Qualifications

• An undergraduate degree from an accredited college/university is mandatory. A Graduate Degree is optimum.
• Possess FAA certifications from accredited civilian aviation programs OR aviation certifications from accredited military aviation schools.
• General Experience: Minimum of one-year on-the-job experience in a grade comparable to GS-12.
• Specialized Experience (GS-13 Level): At least two years of experience in civilian or military aviation programs, piloting and instructing in fixed-wing, rotary, or RPA aircraft.
• Experience in mission planning, preparation, flight plan filing, crew briefings, aircraft inspections, loading, equipment assessments, and mission manning.
• Experience operating aircraft controls and equipment, performing navigation, in-flight refueling, search and rescue, surveillance, or reconnaissance.
• Experience conducting or supervising crew member training on mission-specific tasks.
• Experience in developing plans and policies, monitoring operations, and advising commanders.
• Experience in flight theory, air navigation, meteorology, flying directives, aircraft operating procedures, and mission tactics.
• Experience in aviation unit quality control management programs.
• Experience in unit flying, explosive, and ground safety programs.
• Experience in various piloting administrative tasks supporting aviation programs.
• Experience with specific missions such as air-to-air, air-to-ground, surveillance, reconnaissance, surface attack, target illumination, or laser targeting.
• Experience with traditional "stick and rudder" controls, aircraft instrumentation, and aircraft-mounted video cameras.
• Experience with visual flight rules (VFR) and instrument flight rules (IFR) flying.
• Experience planning and conducting training flights through FAA-controlled airspace.
• Experience applying operational directives, training directives, and standard operating procedures.
• Experience working independently to plan and perform work assignments.
• Experience using Operational Risk Management for safe and efficient mission accomplishment.
• Experience performing aviation duties such as cancelling flying activities, diverting aircraft, dictating mission requirements, approving activities, coordinating airspace utilization, or directing emergency actions.
• Experience with applicable Army aviation regulations, policies, requirements, standards, skills, practices, and instructional techniques.
• Experience conducting specific missions and flying specific mainframe aircraft in combat tactics, mountainous terrain, tactical remote site evaluations, remote site landings, and night-vision operations.
• Experience in standardization and evaluation programs, written ground examinations, emergency procedures, and aircrew performance standards.
• Experience reviewing and complying with applicable service flight publications and directives.
• Experience with weaponry and combat or non-combat tactics for applicable military aircraft.
• Experience with wartime and peacetime contingency plans and supplements for unit mobilizations, deployments, and troop missions.