Aircraft Pilot (Flight Test), FAA
Open & closing dates 07/28/2023 to 08/17/2023
Salary $88,791 - $137,651 per year
Salary includes base pay only. Locality pay will be based on the selectee's current duty location.
Pay scale & grade FV J
CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO AND TO APPLY!
Summary
Incumbent serves as a Flight Test Pilot (FTP) with primary responsibilities to ensure type certification of the performance, stability, and control requirements including envelope expansion, handling qualities and performance of new or modified 14 CFR Part 23 and/or Part 25 aircraft.
This job is open to
The public U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.
Individuals with disabilities
Veterans
Special authorities
Individuals eligible under a special authority not listed above, but defined in the federal hiring regulations.
Clarification from the agency
Also open to those eligible for 30% or More Disabled
Duties
Incumbent is considered a technical authority responsible for the flight test compliance of the type certification processes for avionics, propulsion, and mechanical/electrical systems and equipment installations on those same aircraft. Responsible for the adequacy and uniformity in application of regulations, national policies, advisory circulars, national directives, and procedures affecting the flight test aspects of analysis, design, testing, and continued airworthiness of such aircraft. Makes technical presentations to manufacturers, professional organizations, and foreign certification authorities as required.
Represents the FAA as a senior technical point of contact. Participates as a subject matter expert on type certification board meetings, flight safety review board meetings, and flight standardization boards as required. Maintains a high level of pilot proficiency and currency in categories and classes of aircraft normally flown in assigned type certification projects in accordance with Aircraft Certification Service orders, policies, and procedures pertaining to Aircraft Certification Services. Conducts qualitative and quantitative flight tests and evaluates engineering data on modified and new type design aircraft to oversee and spot-check applicants' compliance showings for applicable airworthiness requirements. Applies expertise and experience to recommend improvements to internal/external processes related to certification and organizational issues.
Receives general direction and guidance from a manager. Consults with a manager or team leader on technical matters when appropriate. Exercises wide latitude to use independent judgment and make decisions. Works jointly with management to solve problems. Work is reviewed only to assure quality and conformance with policy. Frequency of review is commensurate with the complexity and visibility of the assignment. Work activities directly affect the objectives of the LOB, the FAA, the operation of the NAS, foreign governments, and the domestic and international aerospace industries. Work directly affects the safety of the flying public.
Incumbent must satisfy licensing, qualifications, and certification requirements as appropriate. Minimum eligibility requirements are based on possession of the appropriate Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) pilot certificates and/or appropriate military ratings, meeting the applicable flight hour requirements and possession of the knowledge and skills required for the position.
Candidates must demonstrate possession of the knowledge and skills required for the work by meeting certain minimum flight hour requirements, including recency of flight experience. Only that flight experience that is directly related to the work of the position is required for purposes of establishing minimum eligibility.
This is a Drug and Alcohol testing designated position.
The incumbent must possess a current first or second-class medical certificate in accordance with DOT Order 3910.1C, Testing Designated Positions, AIR Flight Test Operations Manual, and FAA requirements.
Requirements
Conditions of Employment
- US Citizenship is required.
- Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
- Designated or Random Drug Testing required.
- If the Agency decides to interview any qualified employee on the selection list, then all on the list who are qualified must be interviewed.
- PILOT CERTIFICATE REQUIRED -
- PLEASE REVIEW REQUIRED DOCUMENTS AND QUALIFICATIONS SECTIONS
- First or Second Class Medical is required (First class medical is required for new hires)
Qualifications
Minimum eligibility requirements are based on possession of the appropriate Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) pilot certificates and/or appropriate military ratings, meeting the applicable flight hour requirements and possession of the knowledge and skills required for the position.
All applicants MUST possess a valid first or second-class medical certificate. Selected candidates must obtain a first class medical certificate prior to appointment.
Candidates must possess a current Commercial Pilot Certificate or Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) rating with airplane single-engine and multi-engine land and instrument ratings or the appropriate military ratings (Refer to Required Documents Section).
Qualifications are based on possession of the appropriate Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) pilot certificates and/or appropriate military ratings, meeting the applicable flight hour requirements and possession of the knowledge and skills required for the position.
Candidates must demonstrate possession of the knowledge and skills required for the work by meeting certain minimum flight hour requirements, including recency of flight experience. Only that flight experience that is directly related to the work of the position is required for purposes of establishing minimum eligibility.
NOTE: Candidates establishing eligibility based on military flight experience must provide official orders, forms, or logbooks showing their status as a rated military pilot, flight instructor, or flight examiner, as appropriate.
Flight test positions also require completion of a flight test school such as a military flight test school, or at least 1 year of experience either flight testing aircraft for engineering approval (civilian or military) or analyzing aircraft performance data.
NOTE: Acceptable engineering flight test experience must have been for the purpose of establishing the basic airworthiness of prototype aircraft or component parts in the experimental/developmental stage. This experience includes flight testing of an aircraft or component from the time of first developmental flight testing through final FAA certification or military acceptance testing. This experience must include basic stability, controllability, and performance testing to determine compliance with civil, military, or foreign standards.
The following flight hour requirements apply:
1. Total Flight Time-1750 hours, Flight time as pilot-in-command or second-in-command (copilot) in aircraft of any weight or category is creditable for this requirement. For inservice placements actions, up to one-fourth of the total flight hours may by waived for candidates who have demonstrated possession of the knowledge and skills needed to perform the work, provided they hold the certificates and ratings required; have acquired the pilot-in-command hours and flight hours in other categories essential to performance of the work; meet the requirements in terms of level and quality of experience; and flying history indicates they are qualified for the position.
2. Pilot-In-Command-1150 hours, Only flight hours acquired as pilot-in-command are creditable.
3. Night Flying-75 hours, For inservice placement actions, 25 hours may be waived if the candidate demonstrates the ability to perform the work
4. Flying Time, Last 12 Months-100 hours, At least one-fourth of the total hours must be in either fixed wing or rotary wing aircraft. For inservice placement actions, up to one-half of the flight hours may be waived provided the individual's total background reflects the ability to perform the duties of the position safely.
5. Multi-engine Airplane-500 hours, Position requires operation of heavy multi-engine airplanes (i.e., gross takeoff weight in excess of 12,500 pounds). At least 50 percent of the flight hours must have been in such heavy airplanes. Up to 250 hours flying time acquired in heavy helicopters (gross takeoff weight in excess of 12,500 pounds) may be substituted.
6. Instrument-75 hours, At least 10 of the required hours must have been logged in actual instrument weather. The balance may have been acquired in a flight simulator or as other types of instrument flight time, e.g., hood instrument.
Complete OPM Qualifications Standard for the Aircraft Operation Series, 2181, available at:
https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/2100/aircraft-operation-series-2181/
In addition to the basic qualification listed above, to qualify for this position you must demonstrate in your application that you possess at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to FV-I, FG/GS-13. Specialized experience is experience that has equipped you with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position.
Specialized experience includes: Flight test pilot experience planning and conducting flight test programs that lead to 14 CFR Part 23, and/or Part 25, and or Part 27, and/or Part 29, and/or Part 33 type certification (or equivalent military compliance and airworthiness standards).
Qualifications must be met by the closing date of this vacancy announcement.
Training Requirement: Failure to successfully complete all required training, including the FAA initial flight test training course, and to obtain all required certificates may result in reassignment, demotion, or dismissal.
Flight Check: Candidates may be required to demonstrate proficiency in an aircraft, including a flight check to demonstrate ability to perform flight test techniques. Candidates will be evaluated on the quality of their experience as it pertains to the specific positions being filled.
Applicants must apply on-line to receive consideration for this vacancy announcement. Faxed, mailed or e-mailed applications cannot be accepted.
Applicants may be asked to verify information on your application for employment with the FAA.
As a part of the Federal-Wide Hiring Reform Initiative (streamlining the hiring process), the FAA is committed to eliminating the use of the Knowledge, Skills and Ability (KSA) narratives from the initial application in the hiring process. Therefore, as an applicant for this external announcement, you are NOT required to provide a narrative response in the text box listed below each KSA.
In lieu of providing a KSA narrative response in the text box listed below each KSA, in your work history, please include information that provides specific examples of how you meet the response level or answer you chose for each KSA. Your work history examples should be specific and clearly reflect the highest level of ability. Your KSA answers will be evaluated further to validate whether the level that you selected is appropriate based on the work history and experience you provided.
Eligible applicants meeting the minimum qualification requirements and selective factor(s), if applicable, may be further evaluated on the KSA listed in the announcement. Based on this evaluation, applicants will be placed in one of the following categories: score order, category grouping, or priority grouping and referred to the selecting official for consideration.
posted 2 August 2023