Plane Captain
Job Summary
The Plane Captain performs essential aircraft handling, servicing, and inspection duties. This role involves conducting daily and turnaround inspections in accordance with established procedures, providing pre-operational checks, fueling ground support equipment, and offering technical assistance and guidance. The successful candidate is responsible for the safe and efficient operation of aircraft support functions on the flight line.
Key Responsibilities
- Performs duties typically assigned to Aircraft Washer and Plane Captain Helper roles.
- Conducts daily and turnaround aircraft inspections as required by applicable procedures.
- Initiates and accurately completes all necessary maintenance documentation and forms.
- Executes aircraft fuel sampling and servicing procedures in accordance with established guidelines.
- Manages the launch and recovery of aircraft.
- Directs aircraft taxi operations during launch and recovery phases.
- Performs aircraft towing operations and serves as brake rider when necessary.
- Secures aircraft by performing tie-down and covering procedures.
- Provides technical assistance, guidance, and instruction as needed.
- Utilizes two-way communication equipment as required for operational coordination.
- Ensures strict adherence to Foreign Object Damage (FOD) prevention, Hazardous Waste handling protocols, Egress Familiarization, and Tool Control programs.
- Ensures compliance with all applicable general and industrial safety rules and regulations pertinent to the contract, facility, and job assignment.
- Ensures the safety, security, and proper preservation of both government and company-owned equipment.
- Provides courteous and professional customer service.
- Operates portable firefighting equipment when necessary.
- Maintains a clean and organized work environment.
- Performs other qualified duties as assigned by supervision.
- Performs any other position-related duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications
- High School Diploma or equivalent is required.
- Two (2) or more years of experience in aviation maintenance and/or flight line operations.
- Must possess a valid Driver’s License.
- Must obtain and maintain any government/company license, qualification, certification, and clearance requirements for the position, including written certification as a Plane Captain, requiring semi-annual re-qualification.
- Ability to read, write, understand, and communicate effectively in English and follow verbal and written instructions.
- Requires thorough knowledge of applicable safety and maintenance manuals.
- Requires 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.
- Must be able to obtain and maintain a Secret US Government Clearance. Note: US Citizenship is required to obtain a Secret Clearance.
- Required to be qualified on all assigned T/M/S (Type/Model/Series) aircraft.
- Must be available 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.
- Possession of relevant certifications such as Hazardous Waste Communications Training, FOD and TCP Awareness Training, ISO 9001-2000 Program Awareness, and Operational Risk Management (ORM) Training.
- Licensing or certification on support equipment such as tow tractors, nitrogen servicing carts, engine wash carts, and engine start units.
- Ability to handle hazardous materials in the performance of assigned duties.
- Ability to use eye-hand coordination and manual dexterity.
- May require the use of a respirator.