06/30/2006 92230

CHIEF PILOT

DEFINITION: This is professional supervisory work controlling all Commonwealth flight operations.

The employee in this job is responsible for the operation of aircraft owned, leased, or rented by the Commonwealth and serves as pilot-in-command on Commonwealth aircraft used for Commonwealth business. The employee is also responsible for overseeing the initial and recurrent training of Flight Services pilots and other Commonwealth personnel required to operate Commonwealth aircraft; training in the use of a variety of navigational, flight instrumentation and communications equipment; and, directing the use of the same equipment in accordance with the Flight Services Operations Manual and Commonwealth policy. Work involves gathering pre-flight data on weather conditions, determining departure and arrival times, selecting routes, and testing the operational readiness of aircraft. Important aspects of the work include the professional bearing in operating the aircraft as well as the personal conduct of employees in dealing with passengers. Supervision is exercised over Commonwealth Pilots. Work is assigned in the form of general instruction and reviewed by the Flight Services and Safety Manager for adherence to established safety standards and assurance of passenger comfort.

EXAMPLES OF WORK: Supervises the operation of aircraft owned, leased, or rented by the Commonwealth.

Schedules pilots and aircraft for specific flights.

Conducts ground and flight training for all Commonwealth employees required to be pilots.

Supervises the training for emergency procedures, operation of radio, navigational, and other flight instrumentation, pre-flight, aircraft operation, and communication.

Ensures training aids and equipment are current and up to date.

Ensures training is adhered to by Commonwealth Pilots.

Plans, organizes, and makes recommendations on out-service training to the Flight Services and Safety Manager.

Directs the operation of radio, navigational, and other flight instrumentation and manual equipment.

Plans routes to be taken based on weather conditions, destination, terrain, time limits, and safety requirements.

Conducts pre-flight inspections of aircraft by insuring all equipment is operational, adequate fuel for alternate airports is aboard and all necessary aircraft documents and charts required for the flight are aboard.

Assists aircraft maintenance personnel as required.

Maintains flight logs on aircraft departure and arrival times and personal log on hours of flight time accumulated.

Performs the full range of supervisory responsibilities.

Employees in this class may participate in the performance of their subordinates’ work consistent with operational or organizational requirements.

Performs related work as required.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS AND ABILITIES: Knowledge of the principles and practices applied to the safe operation of aircraft.

Knowledge of Federal and state aviation regulations.

Knowledge of flight instrumentation and manual equipment in the operation of aircraft.

Knowledge of pre-flight operations including weather data analysis, flight preparation, and route selection.

Knowledge of aircraft emergency procedures.

Knowledge of the principals of effective supervision

Skill in operating aircraft and related equipment.

Ability to plan and supervise the work of Commonwealth pilots.

Ability to plan and schedule flights for Commonwealth pilots and Commonwealth aircraft.

Ability to develop and follow flight schedules.

Ability to give instruction effectively on subjects relating both directly and indirectly to flight.

Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.

Ability to prepare and maintain Pilot Training records as outlined in the Flight Operations Manual.

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING: One year as a Commonwealth Pilot;

                                                                                                                                                 or

4000 hours of flight experience as a licensed pilot of which at least 1500 hours should be of multi-engine, fixed wing time and 400 hours shall be of actual instrument time; and experience as a licensed flight instructor with a minimum of 500 hours of dual instruction given, and an associate’s degree;

                                                                                                                                                 or

An equivalent combination of experience and training.

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: Possession of an Airline Transport certificate with at least a multi-engine rating, a commercial single engine rating and a Certified Flight Instructors License with multi- engine/instrument rating (CFII), and a First Class medical certificate as issued by the Federal Aviation Administration.