Lead Captain, Challenger 604
Location: Ewing Township, NJ, USA
Job Category: Flight Services
Career Level: Technicians / Crew
Work Arrangement: Onsite
Company Overview:
Since 1967, Jet Aviation has perfected the craft of flight, growing from a single hangar in Switzerland to a global network of over 50 locations with more than 4,500 dedicated employees. Specializing in Aircraft Management, Aircraft Sales, Charter, Completions, Government Services, FBO, Fixed and Rotary Wing Maintenance, and Staffing, Jet Aviation is synonymous with seamless aviation experiences. Behind every successful flight is a team of artisans passionately enabling global travel.
Position Summary:
Jet Aviation is seeking a highly experienced and dedicated Lead Captain for a Challenger 604 aircraft based in Trenton, New Jersey. Reporting to the regional Chief Pilot, the Lead Captain is entrusted with the paramount responsibility for the safe, secure, and efficient conduct of all assigned flights. This position exercises full Pilot-in-Command authority and serves as the ultimate decision-maker for the safety of flight operations. The Lead Captain also plays a crucial role in the operational management and development of the assigned flight crew.
Main Responsibilities:
The Lead Captain's duties encompass a broad range of operational, administrative, and leadership functions, including but not limited to:
- Ensuring the safe operation of the Challenger 604 aircraft, determining optimal departure times and routes, and exercising authority to delay or cancel flights based on prevailing conditions.
- Guaranteeing that all flight assignments are conducted in strict compliance with federal, local, and company regulations, policies, and procedures.
- Coordinating the aircraft schedule and flight crew training, leveraging supplemental crew resources as necessary in conjunction with the Customer Service Representative (CSR).
- Collaborating closely with the Maintenance Manager regarding aircraft servicing, cleaning, and maintenance requirements.
- Overseeing assigned crew members' timely submission and review of flight, duty, and other required records.
- Ensuring the currency of aircraft manuals, Jeppesen charts, and Electronic Flight Bags (EFBs), delegating responsibilities as appropriate.
- Partnering with the Manager of Training to coordinate crew member training events and check rides according to the annual training calendar.
- Managing crew member time off requests and training schedules to maintain optimal aircraft coverage.
- Verifying that the flight crew reports for duty properly attired and is mentally and physically fit for flight operations.
- Mentoring and coaching assigned crew members to foster their professional growth and development.
- Conducting annual performance reviews for assigned flight crew members.
- Attending Lead Captain meetings to contribute to departmental coordination and strategy.
- Providing assistance to the Account Director as requested.
- Actively participating in the process of hiring new flight crew members.
- Implementing necessary changes en route based on conditions to ensure the flight proceeds under appropriate company guidelines.
- Maintaining responsibility for conducting all flights in a safe and prudent manner, adhering to industry best practices and company standards.
- Ensuring the accurate and timely completion of all trip paperwork in accordance with current procedures.
- Establishing and maintaining a thorough mutual understanding with the Second in Command regarding all facets of the flight.
- Promptly recording all aircraft discrepancies in the discrepancy log and reporting them immediately to the Director of Maintenance or designee, determining deferral status based on the Approved Minimum Equipment List (MEL) or requiring repair.
- Possessing and maintaining a comprehensive working knowledge of all aircraft systems for the authorized type, including emergency systems and procedures.
- Securing the aircraft after each flight, arranging hangar storage when deemed necessary or instructed by company management.
- Obtaining the most current weather reports, forecasts, and NOTAMs from authorized sources.
- Filing, or ensuring the filing of, the flight plan with the appropriate authority.
- Analyzing area, enroute, and terminal charts for the intended destination and alternate airports.
- Performing the functions of the In-flight Security Coordinator (ISC) in accordance with applicable security programs.
- Conducting or assigning the conduct of the required passenger safety briefings.
- Imparting knowledge and skills to the Second in Command to prepare them for potential emergency command situations or future upgrade opportunities.
- Completing and submitting the leg manifest to operations control prior to each departure.
- Completing and sending the End of Day (EOD) report to operations control upon concluding each flight day.
- Actively supporting the open sharing of information on safety issues and reporting all safety hazards and concerns.
- Making an immediate report of any hazardous action, conduct, or event to the Chief Pilot and Director of Safety.
- While certain duties may be delegated, the ultimate responsibility for those duties remains with the Pilot in Command.
- Performing other duties as required.
- Representing Jet Aviation internally and externally as one unified company to industry groups, regulatory bodies, and within the General Dynamics network.
Minimum Requirements:
Qualified candidates will possess:
- An Airline Transport Pilot Certificate with the appropriate Aircraft Type Rating.
- The ability to obtain and maintain an FAA First Class Medical Certificate.
- A minimum of 4000 hours of total fixed-wing flight time.
- At least 1500 hours of multi-engine land flight time.
- A minimum of 2000 hours of Pilot-in-Command time.
- At least 1500 hours of turbojet flight time.
- A minimum of 1500 hours of turbine flight time.
- At least 100 hours of night flight time.
- A minimum of 75 hours of actual or simulated instrument time.
- At least 5 years of professional aviation experience.
- The flexibility to work varied and demanding schedules.
- The willingness and ability to travel worldwide extensively without restrictions.
- Must be 18 years of age or older.
- A valid driver’s license with a clean driving record.
Desired Characteristics:
- A College Degree is preferred.
- Demonstrated effective oral and written communication abilities.
- Strong project management experience is beneficial.
- Possesses a collaborative team approach, excellent interpersonal skills, meticulous attention to detail, and strong organizational abilities.
- Ability to be proactive, efficient, and capable of independently seeking out information and resources.
- Handles job responsibilities with integrity, discretion, and sensitivity regarding confidential company and employee information.
- Maintains a pleasant, friendly, and helpful demeanor to deliver exceptional experiences for customers and colleagues.
- Quality-driven with a passion for excellence, serving as a Brand Ambassador for Jet Aviation.
- Demonstrates and is committed to Jet Aviation values: Trust, Honesty, Alignment, and Transparency.
Physical Demands:
The role requires meeting certain physical demands. The employee must frequently use hands and fingers for tasks, and is often required to stand, walk, or sit. Occasional climbing, balancing, kneeling, crouching, or crawling may be necessary. The position requires frequently lifting and/or moving up to 25 pounds and occasionally lifting and/or moving up to 50 pounds overhead. Specific vision capabilities are essential, including close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust and focus.
Work Environment:
The Lead Captain will operate in diverse environments, including both heavy maintenance areas and upscale customer facilities. Noise levels are typically moderate but can become high during aircraft arrivals and departures. The employee is frequently exposed to vibration and occasionally to fuel fumes. The position requires working in all types of weather conditions. Hangar environments can experience extreme temperatures depending on the season, and noise levels in the hangar are typically loud.
Benefits:
Eligible Jet Aviation employees receive a comprehensive benefits package designed to support health and well-being. This includes competitive health, dental, and vision insurance, a matching 401(k) plan, health savings and flexible spending accounts, short-term and long-term disability coverage, life insurance, employee assistance programs, health and wellness awards, generous paid time off, tuition reimbursement, and employee discounts.
Equal Opportunity Employer / Individuals with Disabilities / Protected Veterans