Plane Captain
Overview
The Plane Captain is a critical member of the aviation maintenance and flight line team, responsible for ensuring the operational readiness and safety of aircraft. This role encompasses comprehensive aircraft handling, servicing, and conducting essential daily and turn-around inspections. The Plane Captain provides vital pre-operational inspections and fueling of ground support equipment, offering technical assistance, guidance, and instruction to junior personnel including Aircraft Washers and Plane Captain Helpers. This position demands a high level of technical proficiency, attention to detail, and commitment to safety protocols to support efficient flight line operations.
Responsibilities
The Plane Captain performs a variety of essential duties, including but not limited to:
- Executing the duties and responsibilities of Aircraft Washer and Plane Captain Helper classifications.
- Conducting daily and turn-around inspections in accordance with applicable procedures.
- Initiating and completing necessary maintenance forms.
- Performing aircraft fuel sampling and servicing as required by established procedures.
- Launching and recovering aircraft safely and efficiently.
- Serving as the aircraft taxi director during launch and recovery operations.
- Towing aircraft and acting as an aircraft brake rider when necessary.
- Securing and covering aircraft using established tie-down procedures.
- Providing technical assistance, guidance, and instruction to team members.
- Utilizing two-way communication equipment as required for operational coordination.
- 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 relevant to the contract, facility, and job assignment.
- Ensuring the safety, security, and preservation of government and company-owned equipment.
- Providing courteous and professional customer service to internal and external stakeholders.
- Operating portable firefighting equipment effectively.
- Maintaining the cleanliness and organization of the work center.
- Performing other qualified duties as assigned or requested to support operational needs.
Requirements
Candidates for the Plane Captain position must meet the following minimum requirements:
- Possession of a High School Diploma or equivalent.
- A minimum of two (2) years of experience in aviation maintenance and/or flight line operations.
- Holding a valid Driver’s License.
- Ability to obtain and maintain any required government/company licenses, qualifications, certifications, and security clearances.
- Proficiency in reading, writing, understanding, and communicating in the English language, and the ability to follow both verbal and written instructions.
- Thorough knowledge of applicable safety and maintenance manuals.
- Comprehensive working knowledge of aircraft flight line operations, aircraft handling, servicing, marshaling, common hand tools, and normal operational safety requirements for aircraft.
- Physical ability to perform tasks including climbing, bending, stooping, squatting, crawling, crouching, kneeling, carrying, balancing, and reaching above shoulder level; ability to push or pull weight up to 70 pounds.
- Visual acuity including close vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
- Auditory ability to hear at the normal range.
- Successful completion of a training program and written certification as a Plane Captain, with required semi-annual re-qualification.
- Required qualification on all assigned T/M/S (Type/Model/Series) aircraft.
- Ability to work all assigned shifts and schedules, which may include nights, weekends, and holidays.
Preferred Qualifications
Preference will be given to candidates who possess:
- Experience with specific aircraft types including F-18 (A-F), EA-18G, E-2C, F-16, and/or MH60.
- Relevant certifications and training, such as:
- 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.
- Experience handling hazardous materials in the performance of assigned duties.
- Demonstrated ability in eye-hand coordination and manual dexterity.
- Ability to use a respirator if required for specific tasks.