Pilatus PC-12 First Officer - Flight Operations
Location: West Harrison, NY (Primary Listing)
Job Type: Full-time
Company Overview: Tradewind Aviation
Tradewind Aviation is a premier Part 135 commuter and on-demand private charter operator, renowned for its unwavering commitment to safety, service, and operational excellence. Founded in 2001 by passionate aviation enthusiasts, the company provides bespoke air travel solutions, including both private and scheduled services, throughout North America and the Caribbean. Tradewind operates from strategically located bases at Waterbury/Oxford, CT (OXC), Westchester, NY (HPN), and San Juan, PR (SJU).
Position Overview: Pilatus PC-12 First Officer
Tradewind Aviation is actively seeking a highly skilled and dedicated Pilatus PC-12 First Officer to join its esteemed Flight Operations team. This full-time role is essential for maintaining the highest standards of safety, efficiency, and customer satisfaction during flight operations. The First Officer will serve as an integral member of a formal two-pilot crew, responsible for upholding Tradewind Aviation's commitment to aviation professionalism and exceptional service for its discerning clientele.
Key Responsibilities (Essential Functions):
The Pilatus PC-12 First Officer will be responsible for:
- Safely and efficiently conducting all assigned flight operations as a crucial part of a two-pilot crew.
- Ensuring strict adherence to all Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations, company policies, and established operational procedures.
- Maintaining the highest standards of flight discipline, safety, and operational excellence.
- Providing exemplary customer service, contributing to a premium and positive passenger experience.
- Collaborating effectively with the Captain and ground personnel to ensure seamless and coordinated operational execution.
Compensation & Benefits
Competitive Compensation Structure:
Tradewind Aviation offers a highly attractive compensation package for its Pilatus PC-12 First Officers, structured around a competitive pay scale that includes guaranteed yearly increases and performance-based bonuses. Many pilots significantly exceed the initial starting salary.
- Starting Salary: $50,000 per annum
- Volunteer Pay (SIC): $450 per day
- Per Diem: $3.21 per duty hour (applicable for both Domestic and International assignments)
- Overnight Pay: $20 (Domestic), $35 (International)
- Flight Duty Pay: An additional $125 per leg for all flights exceeding the sixth leg in a duty period.
Comprehensive Team Member Benefits:
Tradewind Aviation is committed to the well-being of its team members, offering a robust and extensive benefits package, typically effective after 30 days of employment:
- Health & Wellness: United Healthcare Three-tier Medical PPO, comprehensive Prescription, Vision, and Dental coverage.
- Financial Security: Access to a Flexible Spending Healthcare Account (for Medical and Dependent Care), Global Emergency Services, and a 401K Plan with generous company matching contributions.
- Voluntary Insurance Options (Preferred Rates & Guaranteed Issue): Accident, Life Insurance, Critical Illness, and Legal Plans.
- Paid Time Off: A generous allocation including 18 vacation days and 6 sick days per year (commencing from the first year), along with maternity/paternity and bereavement days. An option to sell back unused vacation days is also available.
- Travel Privileges: Standby travel on select Tradewind scheduled flights, and ZED fare travel opportunities on major and regional airlines (e.g., Delta, JetBlue, United, Spirit, and others) after six months of employment.
- Exclusive Discounts: Access to a wide range of discounts on hotels, rental cars, wireless services, shipping, and more.
Position-Specific Benefits:
- Company-provided uniforms.
- Paid housing for team members requiring relocation away from their assigned base.
- Participation in the Cockpit Access Security System (CASS).
- Eligibility for the Known Crewmember (KCM) program (available for purchase by team members).
- Pilots retain all earned hotel and frequent flyer points.
Requirements:
Education:
- High School Diploma or GED equivalent.
- An aviation-related college degree is preferred, though not a mandatory prerequisite for consideration.
- Successful completion of an FAA Part 61 or Part 141 Flight Training Program.
Qualifications, Certificates, Licenses & Document Requirements:
- Valid unrestricted Driver’s License.
- Valid unrestricted Passport.
- FAA First Class Medical Certificate.
- FAA Commercial Pilot Certificate with Airplane Single-Engine Land (ASEL) rating.
- FAA Instrument Rating.
- FCC Restricted Radiotelephone Operator Permit.
Experience & Professional Skills:
- Total Time: 800 hours total time preferred.
- Night Time: 75 hours night preferred.
- Instructor Ratings: CFI, CFII preferred.
- Instrument Flight: Current IFR knowledge and practical experience.
- Avionics: Thorough knowledge and experience with Garmin 430 Avionics preferred.
- Customer Service: Previous experience in a customer service-oriented role.
Reduced Hour Requirements for Partner Programs:
- United Aviate Participants:
- United Aviate Program: 600 hours total time.
- United Aviate Academy: 500 hours total time.
- United Aviate Academy with Recommendation: 300 hours total time.
- JetBlue Participants: 600 hours total time.
Work Environment & Culture Skills:
Successful candidates for this First Officer role will demonstrate:
- Proficiency in basic MS Office applications, general computer software, and internet usage.
- Exceptional command of the English language, both written and verbal.
- A highly motivated, resourceful, energetic, organized, reliable, and punctual disposition.
- The ability to effectively manage tasks and respond positively to supervision within a structured environment.
- Unwavering ethical conduct, trustworthiness, and the ability to maintain strict confidentiality with sensitive information.
- A strong service-oriented approach, capable of performing efficiently in a fast-paced environment and adept at managing stress and challenging issues with a consistently positive attitude.
- Exceptional communication skills and the ability to thrive within a collaborative, team-focused environment.
- An outgoing personality, skilled at developing professional relationships and respectful of diverse populations and cultures.
- The ability to successfully pass DOT/FAA compliant pre-employment drug screening and comprehensive background checks.
- A demonstrated record of good citizenship and strong moral character.
Physical Requirements:
The physical demands described herein are representative of those that must be met by a team member to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. These include, but are not limited to:
- Regularly standing, sitting, talking, hearing, and utilizing hands and fingers to operate computer and telephone keyboards.
- Specific vision abilities, including close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
- Loading and unloading aircraft as required.
- The ability to perform moderate to heavy lifting, up to 70 lbs.
Location Requirements:
- Tradewind Aviation’s operational bases are situated at Waterbury–Oxford Airport (OXC) in Oxford, CT; Westchester County Airport (HPN) in White Plains, NY; Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport (SJU) in Carolina, Puerto Rico; and Stuart, FL (SUA).
- Selected candidates must be able to relocate within a 90-minute commute from their assigned base.
- This position is explicitly NOT commutable due to operational requirements and the demanding nature of flight schedules.
- Please be advised that a relocation package is not offered for this position.
Shift Requirements:
- Schedules may vary by base location, but First Officers can generally anticipate a four-day work week.
- Schedules are typically released up to 30 days in advance.
- A minimum of 13 days off per month is guaranteed; any instance of fewer days off will be compensated as a Volunteer Day.
- Availability for assigned shifts, including nights, weekends, and holidays, is an essential requirement.
- The ability to work extended hours and report to work with short notice is necessary.
- Flexibility to relocate to other company bases for seasonal business needs may be required.
Other Requirements:
- Must be at least 18 years of age.
- Must be legally authorized to work in the United States.
International Candidates (Specific Requirements):
For international candidates, the following additional requirements apply:
- Ability to work and travel freely within and outside the United States and its assigned territories.
- Possession of a non-conditional, non-expired green card, providing legal authorization to work in the United States.
- Hold a valid unrestricted foreign passport with appropriate visas.