PSA Airlines | Captain

Director of Flight Operations

Location: Charlotte, NC, USA

Category: Executive Leadership

Position Type: Full-Time

About PSA Airlines

PSA Airlines, a subsidiary of American Airlines, offers significant opportunities for career advancement and professional growth. We are committed to fostering a culture of teamwork, diversity, and inclusivity, aiming to create a secure, respectful, and positive workplace for our extensive employee base. Our operational philosophy, The PSA Way, emphasizes stability, growth, and a forward-looking approach, with an unwavering commitment to safety in all endeavors. We are driven by our objectives, dedicated to continuous improvement, and accountable for our actions. Our daily interactions are characterized by care and respect for colleagues and customers. Joining our team provides access to comprehensive benefits, including travel privileges across the American Airlines global network.

Responsibilities

The Director of Flight Operations is responsible for guiding Flight Operations to achieve company objectives related to safety, security, reliability, operational efficiency, productivity, and customer satisfaction. This role ensures the implementation of best practices in standard operating procedures and adherence to technical and regulatory compliance.

• Assume responsibility for duties required of the Director of Operations under FAA Part 119.65(a)(2).
• Ensure the highest standards of safety in all Flight Operations.
• Maintain and enhance safety risk management processes within Flight Operations, aligning with the Safety Management System (SMS) principles.
• Enforce departmental safety objectives in coordination with the Company Safety Department.
• Uphold compliance with all standards established by PSA Airlines and governing state authorities.
• Serve as the primary liaison between flight operations and the FAA/CAA on operational matters, including operating specifications and de/anti-icing.
• Collaborate with the Assistant Director of Operations Training and Delivery to ensure operational safety and procedural standardization.
• Oversee the Manager of Flight Standards to ensure adherence to Flight Standards and support for Line Check Airmen.
• Develop and implement communication strategies for company goals and departmental performance requirements.
• Provide recommendations on operational requirements to the Assistant Director of Flight Operations.
• Conduct research and development, providing technical expertise for the implementation of new equipment, procedures, and policies.
• Analyze new products for regulatory compliance, safety enhancement, and operational benefits.
• Supervise, train, monitor, and assess staff performance.
• Coordinate with Maintenance, vendors, and users through the Assistant Director of Flight Technical for the introduction and support of flight deck avionics equipment.
• Foster collaboration between Flight Operations and Flight Technical on operational, airframe, and aircraft technology issues.
• Ensure Flight Operations performance meets company objectives for achieving optimal air traffic environments in NextGen Airspace, in conjunction with the Assistant Director of Flight Technical and external resources.
• Offer recommendations for modifications to equipment and flight deck configurations.
• Conduct research and development, providing technical expertise for the implementation of new operations specifications.
• Disseminate operations specifications and support information to flight crews.
• Collaborate with the Director of Operations Control Center and Assistant Director of Maintenance Operations Control on MEL and CDL revisions, and Deferred Maintenance Programs for optimal operational reliability.
• Coordinate Basic Operating Weight procedures with relevant directors from Inflight Services, Maintenance, Operations Control Center, Quality Assurance, and Technical Services.
• Coordinate Aircraft Operational Performance procedures with directors from Maintenance, Operations Control Center, and Technical Services.
• Identify and communicate training needs to the Training Department.
• Disseminate technical information to flight crews regarding flight operations, dispatch, maintenance, and ground operations.
• Maintain and monitor the construction, content, revision, currency, and distribution of the Pilot Operating Handbook and Fleet Management publications.
• Maintain and monitor the construction, content, revision, currency, and distribution of the Flight Operations Manual and publications.
• Oversee the EFB Program through the Assistant Director of Flight Technical, Fleet Manager, and EFB Specialist.
• Attend Director's Meetings and brief the Executive Team on relevant Flight Operations status.
• Make recommendations for flight operations operating and capital expense budgets.
• Implement, monitor, and review the results of the Company Internal Evaluation Program.
• Ensure communication and implementation of corporate standards and affirmative action programs.
• Liaise with Labor Relations, Vice President Air Operations, and the Assistant Director of Flight Operations on matters impacting relationships with the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA).
• Manage safety risks and security threats to aircraft operations.
• Ensure operations are conducted in accordance with the Air Operator Certificate (AOC) and applicable regulations.
• Assume responsibility for the Company's Safety Management System (SMS) and associated Safety Risk Management and Safety Assurance outputs.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Previous 119 authority.
• A pilot holding an Airline Transport Pilot certificate with a minimum of 2 years of supervisory or managerial experience.
• Experience in writing technical documents and/or periodical literature.
• Must meet Code of Federal Regulations, Part 119.67(a) qualification requirements to serve as the Part 119 Director of Operations, and meet Common Minimum Qualifications.
• Bachelor’s degree.
• Qualified for operations conducted under 14 CFR Part 121.
• 5-8 years of pilot experience, including 3 years as Pilot-In-Command under Parts 135 or 121.
• Airline management experience or an instructing background.
• Comprehensive understanding of the following concerning the certificate holder's operations: Aviation safety standards and safe operating practices; All applicable Federal Aviation Regulations; The certificate holder's operations specifications.
• Ability to speak, read, and write in English.
• Must be authorized to work in the U.S.

Additional Information

Supervisory Responsibility: This is a supervisory position.

Delegation: In absence, responsibilities are delegated to the Vice President of Operations.

Travel: Travel is required for this position.

Authorities:

• Responsible for overall operational control of the airline (delegable to the Chief Pilot).
• DE/Anti-icing program implementation and processes.
• Management of EFB Program (delegated to the Assistant Director of Flight Technical or Fleet Manager).
• Required Manual Systems (delegated to the Assistant Director of Flight Technical).
• Operational Weight and Balance and Performance systems.
• Performance and Discipline of pilots.

Work Environment: This position operates within a professional office setting, utilizing standard office equipment.

Physical Demands: The role is largely sedentary, with occasional requirements to stand, walk, climb stairs, lift up to 25 lbs, use hands for handling/feeling, and reach with arms. Employees are regularly required to talk or hear.

Security Clearance: All employees are required to pass a fingerprint-based criminal history records check (CHRC) per 49CFR1542.209 and a pre-employment drug screen.