Plane Captain Job Description
Overview
A successful Plane Captain is responsible for performing essential aircraft handling, servicing, daily, and turnaround inspections. This role involves providing pre-operational inspections, fueling ground support equipment, and offering technical assistance, guidance, and instruction to Aircraft Washers and Plane Captain Helpers.
Essential Responsibilities
The Plane Captain performs duties encompassing aircraft handling, servicing, and inspection. Key responsibilities include:
- Executing the duties of Aircraft Washer and Plane Captain Helper classifications.
- Performing daily and turnaround inspections in accordance with applicable procedures.
- Initiating and completing required maintenance forms.
- Conducting aircraft fuel sampling and servicing according to established procedures.
- Launching and recovering aircraft safely.
- Serving as the aircraft taxi director during launch and recovery operations.
- Towing aircraft and acting as an aircraft brake rider when necessary.
- Tying down and covering aircraft using established procedures.
- Providing technical assistance, guidance, and instruction as required.
- Utilizing two-way communication equipment appropriately.
- Ensuring strict compliance with Foreign Object Damage (FOD), Hazardous Waste, Egress Familiarization, and Tool Control programs.
- Adhering to all established general and industrial safety rules and regulations applicable to the contract, facility, and job assignment.
- Ensuring the safety, security, and preservation of government and company-owned equipment.
- Maintaining courteous and professional customer service standards.
- Operating portable firefighting equipment.
- Maintaining the cleanliness of the work center.
- Performing other qualified duties as assigned.
Minimum Requirements
Candidates for the Plane Captain position must meet the following minimum requirements:
- Possess a High School Diploma or equivalent.
- Have a minimum of two (2) years of experience in aviation maintenance and/or flight line operations.
- Hold a valid Driver’s License.
- Be able to obtain and maintain any required government/company licenses, qualifications, certifications, and clearances for the position.
- Possess the ability to read, write, understand, and communicate effectively in the English language, following both verbal and written instructions.
- Demonstrate thorough knowledge of applicable safety and maintenance manuals.
- Have thorough working knowledge of aircraft flight line operations, including aircraft handling, servicing, marshaling, the use of common hand tools, and normal operational safety requirements of aircraft.
- Be physically capable of performing duties requiring climbing, bending, stooping, squatting, crawling, crouching, kneeling, carrying, balancing, reaching above shoulder level, and pushing or pulling weight up to 70 pounds.
- Possess close vision, including color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
- Have the ability to hear at the normal range.
- Successfully complete a training program and obtain written certification as a Plane Captain, with required semi-annual re-qualification.
- Be qualified on all assigned T/M/S (Type/Model/Series) aircraft.
- Be available to work all assigned shifts and schedules.
Preferred Qualifications
Preference may be given to candidates with the following qualifications:
- Experience working with F-18 (A-F), EA-18G, E-2C, F-16, and/or MH60 aircraft is strongly preferred.
- Possession of licenses or certifications such as Hazardous Waste Communications Training, FOD and TCP Awareness Training, ISO 9001-2000 Program Awareness, and Operational Risk Management (ORM) Training.
- Licensing on support equipment including tow tractors, nitrogen servicing carts, engine wash carts, and engine start units.
- Experience handling hazardous materials in the performance of assigned duties.
- Demonstrated ability to use eye-hand coordination and manual dexterity.
- Capability to use a respirator if required for duties.