Position Summary

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is currently seeking qualified pilots to join its Flight Program Operations team. This role supports a mission-critical government organization responsible for the integrity and safety of the national airspace system. Pilots perform diverse duties, including inspections of navigational aids, commissioning of new equipment, flight test missions, research and development, and critical event response.

The FAA maintains a Part 135 certificate with operations across several locations, including Arlington, VA; Kennesaw, GA; Atlantic City, NJ; Battle Creek, MI; Oklahoma City, OK; Fort Worth, TX; Sacramento, CA; and Anchorage, AK.

Key Responsibilities

Successful candidates will conduct flight operations in various weather conditions to support national safety and infrastructure. Responsibilities include:

Performing routine inspections of ground-based navigational aids.
Commissioning new aviation equipment domestically and globally.
Conducting research, development, testing, and evaluation of avionics technology.
Executing transportation and critical event response missions.
Flight testing new procedures to ensure safety for public aviation.

Minimum Eligibility Requirements

Candidates must meet the following criteria to be eligible for consideration:

Citizenship: Must be a U.S. citizen.
Certificates and Ratings: Possession of a valid Commercial Pilot Certificate with airplane, multi-engine land, and instrument ratings, OR an Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) certificate with multi-engine land rating. (Note: Candidates without an ATP must complete the ATP written exam within 60 days of appointment).
Medical Certificate: Possession of a valid first or second-class medical certificate. (Note: A first-class medical certificate is required prior to appointment).
Selective Placement Factor: To qualify at the FV-J (FG-14) level, candidates must possess an ATP certificate and an Airspace Inspection Pilot (ASIP) credential.

Flight Hour Requirements

Total Flight Time: 1500 hours.
Pilot-in-Command (PIC) Time: 250 hours.
Multiengine Airplane Time: 500 hours.
Instrument Time: 75 hours (minimum of 10 hours in actual instrument weather).
Night Flying Time: 75 hours.
Recent Flight Experience: 100 hours within the last 12 months.

Conditions of Employment

Must successfully complete a security investigation.
Subject to a one-year probationary period.
Selective Service registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
Must submit to designated or random drug testing as part of the Department of Transportation's Drug and Alcohol Testing Program.
Potential requirement to file a financial disclosure statement.

Application Process

Applicants must provide FAA Form 3330-47-3 (ASIP) to verify flight hours. Applications must be submitted online; faxed, mailed, or emailed applications will not be accepted. All qualifications must be met by the closing date of the announcement. Candidates should detail their work history clearly, as narratives for Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSA) are not required; however, work history must provide specific examples of proficiency.