Pilatus PC-12 Pilot
Company Overview:
Tradewind Aviation is a prominent Part 135 commuter and on-demand private charter operator, maintaining operational bases at key locations including Waterbury/Oxford, CT (OXC), Westchester, NY (HPN), and San Juan, PR (SJU). Established in 2001 by dedicated aviation enthusiasts, the company is founded on the principle that every flight warrants the highest standards in aircraft, crew, and service quality. Tradewind delivers personalized air travel experiences through both private charter and scheduled service routes spanning North America and the Caribbean.
Position Summary:
Tradewind Pilatus PC-12 Pilots serve as aviation professionals dedicated to executing safe and efficient flight operations within a formal two-pilot crew environment. This role requires adherence to the highest standards of safety and customer service, ensuring a superior travel experience for all passengers.
Key Responsibilities:
- Operate Pilatus PC-12 aircraft safely and efficiently as a member of a two-pilot crew.
- Maintain rigorous safety standards in all aspects of flight operations.
- Deliver exceptional customer service consistent with Tradewind Aviation's values.
Compensation and Benefits:
Tradewind Aviation offers a competitive salary structure based on an established pay scale, featuring annual increases and bonuses. Many pilots achieve compensation significantly exceeding the starting salary.
- Starting Salary: $50,000 per year
- Volunteer Pay (SIC): $450 per day
- Per Diem: $3.21 per duty hour (Domestic and International)
- Overnight Pay: $20 (Domestic), $35 (International)
- Flight Duty Pay: Additional $125 per leg for all legs flown over leg 6.
Team members are eligible for comprehensive benefits, including:
- United Healthcare Three-tier Medical PPO, Prescription, Vision, and Dental coverage (effective after 30 days).
- Availability of Flexible Spending Healthcare Accounts for Medical and Dependent Care.
- Global Emergency Services.
- Preferred rates and guaranteed issue for Voluntary Accident, Life Insurance, Critical Illness, and Legal Plans.
- 401K Plan with company matching contributions.
- Generous Paid Time Off, including vacation, sick, maternity/paternity, and bereavement days, with a vacation sell-back option (starting with 18 vacation and 6 sick days annually in the first year).
- Standby travel opportunities on select Tradewind scheduled flights.
- ZED fare travel available on major & regional airlines (after 6 months).
- Discounts on hotels, rental cars, wireless services, shipping, and more.
Position-Specific Benefits:
- Company-provided uniforms.
- Paid housing for pilots relocated away from their base.
- Cockpit Access Security System (CASS) participation.
- Known Crewmember (KCM) access (available for purchase by the team member).
- Pilots retain all accrued hotel and frequent flyer points.
Requirements:
Education:
- A High School Diploma or GED is required.
- An Aviation-Related College Degree is preferred but not mandatory.
- Successful completion of a Part 61 or 141 Flight Training Program is necessary.
Qualifications, Certificates, Licenses & Documents:
- Must possess a valid, unrestricted driver’s license.
- A valid, unrestricted passport is required.
- Must hold a current FAA First Class Medical Certificate.
- Possession of an FAA Commercial Pilot Certificate with Airplane Single-Engine Land (ASEL) rating is essential.
- An FAA Instrument Rating is mandatory.
- An FCC Restricted Radiotelephone Operator Permit is required.
Experience & Professional Skills:
- A minimum of 800 hours total time is preferred.
- At least 75 hours of night flight time is preferred.
- CFI and CFII ratings are preferred.
- Current IFR knowledge and recent experience are required.
- Thorough knowledge of Garmin 430 Avionics is preferred.
- Previous customer service experience is beneficial.
Reduced Hour Requirements for Program 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:
The ideal candidate will possess:
- Basic proficiency in MS Office, computer software, and internet navigation.
- The ability to fluently speak, read, understand, and write in English.
- A motivated, resourceful, energetic, and organized approach to work.
- The capability to effectively manage tasks and accept management direction.
- Reliability and punctuality are essential traits.
- The capacity to respect and maintain confidentiality, demonstrating ethical conduct and trustworthiness with sensitive information.
- A service-oriented mindset, able to thrive in a fast-paced environment and effectively manage stress and resolve problematic issues with a positive attitude.
- Excellent communication skills and the ability to collaborate effectively within a team-focused environment.
- An outgoing personality, skilled in relationship development, and respectful of diverse populations and cultures.
- Ability to pass DOT/FAA compliant pre-employment drug screen and background check.
- Demonstration of good citizenship and moral character.
Physical Requirements:
The physical demands outlined below are representative of those necessary for a team member to successfully perform the essential functions of this role:
- Regularly required to stand, sit, talk, hear, and use hands and fingers to operate a computer and telephone keyboard.
- Specific vision abilities required include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
- The role requires loading and unloading aircraft as needed.
- Moderate to heavy lifting is required, up to 70 lbs.
Location Requirements:
Operational bases are situated at Waterbury–Oxford Airport - Oxford, CT (OXC), Westchester County Airport - White Plains, NY (HPN), Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport - Carolina, Puerto Rico (SJU), and Stuart, FL (SUA). Pilots must be able to relocate within a 90-minute commute of their assigned base. Due to the nature of operations, this position is not commutable, and a relocation package is not offered.
Shift Requirements:
Schedules vary by base location but typically involve being scheduled 4 days per week. Schedules are published up to 30 days in advance. Pilots are guaranteed a minimum of 13 days off per month; any month with fewer than 13 days off will include payment for Volunteer Days. Availability for assigned shifts, including nights, weekends, and holidays, is required.
Other Requirements:
- Candidates must be at least 18 years of age.
- Legal authorization to work in the United States is mandatory.
International Candidates:
- Must be able to work and travel freely within and outside the United States and assigned territories.
- Must hold a non-conditional, non-expired green card demonstrating legal authorization to work in the United States.
- Must possess a valid, unrestricted foreign passport with appropriate visas.