Lead Captain
Clay Lacy Aviation seeks a highly skilled and experienced Lead Captain to serve as a key liaison between the company and its clients, ensuring seamless operations and exceptional service. In addition to fulfilling flight crew duties, the Lead Captain is responsible for fostering effective communication, maintaining regulatory compliance, and supporting crew member development. He/She will perpetuate company culture and ideals within the flight department.
Duties and Responsibilities:
- Serves as Pilot in Command (PIC) or Second in Command (SIC) as designated.
- Ensures adherence to flight and maintenance schedules, as well as all directives governing aircraft operation.
- Guarantees crew compliance with flight and duty time limitations as outlined in the General Operations Manual (GOM) for Part 135 operations, or reasonably adheres to Part 135 standards for Part 91 operations.
- Oversees the completion of pre-flight and post-flight duties and inspections in accordance with the Aircraft Flight Manual (AFM).
- Collaborates with the Director of Maintenance (DOM) and Account Manager (ACM) to ensure the aircraft is cleaned as necessary.
- Manages aircraft inventory to meet owner or user requirements, potentially delegating to the Cabin Attendant.
- Monitors crew member performance and provides feedback to the Assistant Chief Pilot (ACP) for annual performance reviews.
- Completes and approves crew expense reports in accordance with Clay Lacy Aviation policy.
- Reviews monthly billing summaries, reporting discrepancies to accounting and the ACM.
- Coordinates and manages crew member days off and vacation requests, relaying information to the ACP for schedule inclusion and communicating with the ACM for owner approval if necessary.
- Liaises with the ACP and Director of Training.
- Conducts monthly reviews of currency and upcoming training/evaluation requirements.
- Performs annual aircraft black book audits in collaboration with Flight Operations and the ACP.
- Ensures compliance with fleet requirements, including Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and required paperwork.
- Maintains familiarity with installed aircraft equipment and all required regulatory operational authorizations and mandates.
- Be aware of scheduled/unscheduled maintenance events.
- Assists Clay Lacy Aviation in the resolution and communication of mechanical Aircraft On Ground (AOG) events when required.
- Reviews monthly work order invoices.
- Coordinates and communicates maintenance-related items and squawks with the Maintenance Controller (or DOM if assigned) to ensure effective communication of all maintenance scheduling (including Scheduling Specialist and ACM).
- Ensures all trip-related requests or changes from the aircraft owner (or charter client) are communicated to the Charter Department and Chief Pilot’s office.
- Assists in gathering operationally related data for special projects or reporting as requested.
- Mediates and facilitates positive working relationships within the Flight Department.
- Cultivates and maintains strong working relationships with all external stakeholders and within Clay Lacy Aviation.
- Ensures that Clay Lacy Aviation's company culture is perpetuated among members of the Flight Department.
- Provides constructive feedback to enhance efficiency in processes and procedures within Clay Lacy Aviation, either through the ACM or via the Safety Management System (SMS) if required.
- Works with the Clay Lacy Aviation ACM in managing the Aircraft Owner's overall experience.
- Updates the Scheduling Specialist regarding aircraft schedule changes and other matters that may affect the scheduling of aircraft, crews, or contract pilots/cabin attendants.
- Coordinates with the ACM, DOM, Scheduling Specialist, and managed billing to conduct regular flight department meetings to discuss and manage activities, maintenance events, budget, identify problems, answer questions, pass information gathered from the owner, and create future improvement projects and goals.
- Participates in the interview process and selection of all flight department personnel in conjunction with the ACP/Chief Pilots.
- Communicates with the ACM for input and/or approval for all operational, personnel, and administrative issues.
- Recommends additional training for flight department members to the ACM and ACP (conferences, safety training, industry events, etc.).
Competencies and Skills:
- Exceptional customer relations and the ability to deliver customer-centric solutions.
- Proactive in embracing new opportunities and challenges.
- Collaborative team player with a focus on achieving shared objectives.
- Excellent communication skills, able to convey complex information clearly to diverse audiences.
- Demonstrates trustworthiness and integrity, inspiring confidence in others.
- Proficient pilot skills consistent with operational requirements.
- Strong prioritization and organizational abilities.
- Exceptional interpersonal skills.
- Demonstrated analytical and critical thinking skills.
- Self-motivated and able to execute assigned tasks in a timely and flawless manner.
- Strong teamwork acumen and the ability to perform under pressure.
Qualifications:
Clay Lacy Aviation Lead Captains should possess the minimum experience necessary to safely operate the assigned aircraft in accordance with the company's Operational Specifications, General Operations Manual, and Flight Operations Manual while fulfilling account management requirements.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Applicable FAA Part 91 and/or FAA Part 135 requirements for the assigned aircraft type.
- Must remain current with all flight requirements; ATP certificate required.
- First Class Medical Certificate required.
Clay Lacy Aviation is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.