Chief Pilot
Location: Farmingdale, NY
Job Summary:
The Chief Pilot provides critical leadership for the Operations Department. He or she possesses a strong aviation background with a proven track record of safety and successful management of a pilot workforce. The Chief Pilot delivers day-to-day leadership and motivation to the pilot team, fostering excellent technical and operational performance to achieve departmental goals. This encompasses recruiting, training, career path management, and aircraft operating standards. The Chief Pilot supports exceptional customer service, aligning departmental services with client interests.
Responsibilities:
- Assists with the development, communication, and implementation of efficient operational procedures, policies, and effective growth strategies.
- Drives the department to achieve business goals and objectives.
- Ensures the department and personnel have adequate resources to perform their jobs successfully and efficiently.
- Promotes a healthy culture within the department and pilot team, benefiting employee engagement, satisfaction, customer loyalty, safety, integrity, and overall excellence.
- Supports the Director of Operations in conducting performance evaluations, providing feedback to and from employees, and planning corrective actions for success.
- Supports the Director of Operations in performing basic HR functions, including recruiting, interviewing, hiring, and onboarding new pilots, as well as counseling or discharging personnel.
- Establishes and maintains a close working relationship with the FAA.
- Prepares and maintains all pilot training, flight and duty, and proficiency records.
- Ensures aircraft documents, checklists, publications, and databases are continually up to date.
- Manages iPad EFB program and tablets, including document updates.
- Coordinates with the Director of Operations and Director of Maintenance on the timely communication and correction of mechanical repairs, as well as planned inspections or maintenance work around scheduled flights.
- Performs flight duties as Captain on qualified aircraft based on scheduling needs and crew capacity.
- Completes Flight Safety training authorization in accordance with company training program.
- Provides on-call operational support after hours.
- Maintains the 12.5 security program.
- Assists in the conformity process of new airplanes to company certificate.
- Ensures policies and procedures are followed, and paperwork is submitted by crews in a timely and legible manner.
- Exercises authorization and compliance per CFR 119.69.
- Spends approximately 25% of time flying and 75% performing office duties.
General Qualifications, Knowledge, and Experience:
- Must hold an Airline Transport Pilot certificate (ATP).
- Must have served for at least 3 years as a Chief Pilot for a Part 135 or Part 121 turbine multi-aircraft operator, or have served at least 3 out of the last 6 years as Pilot in Command (PIC) in a department that performed turbine multi-aircraft operations under Part 135 or Part 121.
- Extensive knowledge of FARs, ACs, SAFO/InFO.
- Solid understanding of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and industry best practices.
- Minimum of 3 years of experience within general aviation, with equivalent operational experience, including familiarity with aircraft maintenance scheduling, crew and staff management, and customer relations.
- Check airman, instructor, and safety manager experience preferred.
- Bachelor’s degree required.