Plane Captain
Overview
The Plane Captain plays a critical role in aviation operations, responsible for comprehensive aircraft handling, servicing, and essential inspections. This position conducts daily and turn-around inspections according to applicable procedures. The Plane Captain also provides pre-operational checks and fueling for ground support equipment and offers vital technical assistance, guidance, and instruction to junior classifications such as Aircraft Washers and Plane Captain Helpers.
Essential Responsibilities
- Performs the duties and responsibilities of Aircraft Washer and Plane Captain Helper classifications.
- Conducts daily and turn-around inspections in accordance with applicable procedures.
- Initiates and completes required maintenance forms.
- Performs aircraft fuel sampling and servicing as required by established procedures.
- Launches and recovers aircraft.
- Serves as aircraft taxi director during launch and recovery operations.
- Tows aircraft and acts as aircraft brake rider when necessary.
- Ties down and covers aircraft utilizing established procedures.
- Provides technical assistance, guidance, and instruction as needed.
- Utilizes two-way communication equipment as required.
- Ensures compliance with Foreign Object Damage (FOD), Hazardous Waste, Egress Familiarization, and Tool Control programs.
- Ensures adherence to all established general and industrial safety rules and regulations applicable to the contract, facility, and job assignment.
- Ensures the safety, security, and preservation of government and company-owned equipment.
- Provides courteous and professional customer service.
- Operates portable firefighting equipment.
- Maintains the cleanliness of the work center.
- Performs other qualified duties as assigned or requested.
Minimum Requirements
- High School Diploma or equivalent is required.
- Requires a minimum of two (2) years of experience in aviation maintenance and/or flight line operations.
- Possession of a valid Driver’s License is mandatory.
- Must obtain and maintain any required government/company licenses, qualifications, certifications, and clearances for the position.
- Ability to read, write, understand, and communicate in the English language and follow verbal and written instructions.
- Thorough knowledge of applicable safety and maintenance manuals.
- Thorough working knowledge of aircraft flight line operations, aircraft handling, servicing, marshaling, common hand tools, and normal operational safety requirements of the aircraft.
- Ability to perform physical tasks including climbing, bending, stooping, squatting, crawling, crouching, kneeling, carrying, balancing, reaching above shoulder level, and pushing or pulling weight up to 70 pounds.
- Must possess close vision, including color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
- Ability to hear within the normal range.
- Successful completion of a training program and written certification as a Plane Captain is required, with semi-annual re-qualification.
- Must be qualified on all assigned T/M/S (Type/Model/Series) aircraft.
- Ability to work all assigned shifts and schedules.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with F-18 (A-F), EA-18G, E-2C, F-16, and/or MH60 aircraft is strongly preferred.
- Preferred licensing and certification requirements include:
- Hazardous Waste Communications Training
- FOD and TCP Awareness Training
- ISO 9001-2000 Program Awareness
- Operational Risk Management (ORM) Training
- Licensing on support equipment such as tow tractor, nitrogen servicing cart, engine wash cart, and engine start unit.
- May require handling hazardous materials in the performance of assigned duties.
- Ability to use eye-hand coordination and manual dexterity.
- May require the use of a respirator.