ICON Job Description
Title: Production Test Pilot
Company:
ICON Aircraft is a consumer sport plane manufacturer founded in response to the sport flying category created by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Given these enabling regulations, ICON’s mission is to reinvent personal flying by providing consumer-friendly, safe, technologically advanced aircraft that allow the freedom, fun, and adventure of flying to be accessible to those who have dreamed of it. ICON’s long-term vision is the ultimate democratization of personal flight. This is the beginning of that process. ICON’s first aircraft is the A5, an amphibious sport plane that fuses outstanding aeronautical engineering with world-class product design. It has won some of the world’s most prestigious design awards and has inspired a global following. ICON started delivering the A5 in 2015. The company is scaling production at its state-of-art facilities located in Northern California and Baja California. For more information, visit www.iconaircraft.com.
Mission of Role: Execution of production flight tests for the ICON A5 to ensure the aircraft systems comply with design and performance specifications.
Location: Vacaville, CA
Reports to: VP, Engineering
Matrix Reports to: Manager, Site Quality and Director, Flight Operations and Safety
Primary Areas of Responsibilities:
1. Production Flight Test:
a. Conduct initial flight test of production aircraft and perform acceptance testing of aircraft systems to assure that the aircraft meets ICON, ASTM Light Sport Aircraft, and FAA Certificate of Airworthiness standards.
b. Conduct detailed pre and post flight briefings with quality, engineering, and manufacturing personnel, and provide technical assistance to aid in resolving discrepancies and problems.
c. Assist in documentation of production flight test results.
d. Maintain a flexible schedule which may include weekend flight operations.
e. Help maintain and develop production acceptance test procedures.
2. Additional Pilot Support: As schedule permits, additional pilot duties may be requested such as:
a. Engineering Development: Provide flight test support as appropriate
b. Service Flights: Conduct acceptance flights of company and customer aircraft following modification or maintenance
c. Demonstration Flights: Fly demonstration flights to potential customers, media, and employees
d. Ferry Flights: Occasionally ferry aircraft for customer deliveries or other ICON business
Success Indicators:
1. Aircraft production schedule fully supported
2. Aircraft of the highest quality standards ready for customer delivery
3. Continuous product and manufacturing improvements enabled through quality feedback
Required Experience & Education:
Associates Degree with a minimum of 3-5 years as a general aviation pilot
Size limits: Due to aircraft weight and balance requirements, Instructor Pilots must maintain a weight not to exceed 200lbs. Max Height of 6’4”
Commercial pilot
Seaplane Rating (may get this after job offer and before arrival at ICON)
Minimum 500 hours total flight time
FAA Second-Class Medical Certificate (minimum)
Working knowledge of quality systems in an aviation setting
Fully literate in computer applications such as Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
Capable of data analysis using tools and information available
Ideal Experience:
Graduate of a major Test Pilot School (Engineer or Pilot course)
1000+ hours total flight time
100+ hours seaplane flying experience
300+ hours general aviation aircraft flying experience
Weight < 175lbs.
Hands on aircraft construction experience: home-builder or aircraft mechanic
Aviation and powersports enthusiast
Other Traits:
Outstanding flight safety record
No suspension of FAA pilot certificate(s)
Excellent grasp of applicable Federal Aviation Regulations
Strong Microsoft Office skills/experience (PowerPoint, Excel, Word)
Excellent communication skills including in-person and electronically Extreme attention to detail
Excellent interpersonal and customer-facing skills
Team player
Highly analytical and logical; skilled at problem analysis and resolution
Highly intelligent, confident, decisive, competitive, energetic, and passionate
Comfortable in a small company atmosphere
Comfortable performing tasks outside of the normal role