This Aviation Safety Inspector position is located in the Aircraft Evaluation Division, AFS-100. Responsible for applying expert knowledge of and experience with Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) for the development and implementation of standards, programs, and procedures for FAA field personnel and the public governing all matters to operations safety issues.
General Requirements for All Positions: Not more than two separate incidents involving Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations violations in the last five years; Valid State driver's license; Fluency in the English language; No chemical dependencies or drug abuse that could interfere with job performance; and High school diploma or equivalent. Medical Requirements for All Positions: Applicants must be physically able to perform the duties of the ASI position in a safe and efficient manner, with or without a reasonable accommodation. The minimum medical requirements include the following: a. Have good distance vision in each eye and be able to read, without strain, printed materials the size of typewritten characters (glasses and contact lenses permitted) b. Have the ability to hear the conversational voice (hearing aid permitted); and c. Not have any physical conditions that would cause them to be a hazard to themselves or others or that would interfere with their ability to operate/occupy a flight deck observer’s seat (jumpseat) or a cabin passenger seat in a variety of aircraft. Flight Oversight: Flight Oversight ASIs do not conduct certification (pilot evaluating, testing, and checking) job functions as a required crewmember, including safety pilot. The incumbent will not, in any scenario, act as a required crewmember or safety pilot of an aircraft. Flight Oversight ASIs apply a broad knowledge of the aviation industry, aviation safety, and Federal aviation laws, regulations, and policies. Rotorcraft-Helicopter (Flight Oversight) Aviation Safety Inspector Qualification Requirements. In addition to meeting the basic requirements, applicants must meet the additional qualification requirements outlined below. a. Must hold a valid or expired Flight Instructor Certificate with Rotorcraft-Helicopter category rating or have experience serving as an instructor as part of an approved program or course (e.g., Title 14 CFR Part 121, 135, 141, or 142, or Uniformed Services) which provided instruction in a Rotorcraft-Helicopter or an approved flight simulation training device representing a Rotorcraft-Helicopter. Must have given a minimum of 200 hours of flight instruction in a Rotorcraft-Helicopter, an approved flight simulation training device representing a Rotorcraft-Helicopter, or a combination of both. b. Must hold an Airline Transport Pilot Certificate with a Rotorcraft-Helicopter rating or a Commercial Pilot Certificate with a Rotorcraft-Helicopter rating and Instrument-Helicopter rating. c. Minimum 1,500 total flight hours in an aircraft as pilot-in-command or second–in–command, 1,000 hours of which must be in helicopters. d. Three years of experience working in an organization with an air carrier, commercial operator, or air agency certificate, an organization whose work led to the certification of individual airmen, or an organization that operated aircraft. e. Not more than two flying accidents in the last five years in which the applicant's pilot error was involved. To qualify for this position at the FG-14 level you must demonstrate in your application that you possess at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to FV-I, FG/GS-13 grade levels. Specialized experience is experience that has equipped you with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position. position. Experience includes assisting, conducting, or performing various technical functions on certification activities for CFR Part 27 Normal Category Rotorcraft and CFR Part 29 Transport Category Rotorcraft and supporting helicopter specific CFR Parts 135, 61, 141, 133, 136 and 137 operations including helicopter restricted category operations. Work involves monitoring and issuing certificates to a large complex aviation organization or several smaller organizations that, in total, are comparable in complexity to one large aviation organization. providing Flight Standards organizations and industry with authoritative expert technical guidance and operational control, ensuring compliance with applicable helicopter regulatory requirements. Qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this vacancy announcement.
The incumbent may be assigned to lead a Flight Standardization Boards (FSB) and Flight Operation Evaluation Boards (FOEB) for assigned aircraft. In this capacity, the individual will be responsible for board activities, team dynamics, and will foster an environment of inclusion and teamwork to produce the FSB and FOEB Reports. May also serve as a member of Type Certification Boards for assigned aircraft. Provides the flight operations emphasis and crew representation in all phases of developmental work involved prior to certification and subsequent to placing such aircraft into service regarding modifications, upgrades, and operational issues. The work of this position has considerable impact on the level of safety achieved during the training of pilots and initial industry operation of the aircraft. Evaluates detailed flight characteristics of the aircraft to establish training requirements, which will be used as standards and guidelines for operations inspectors in evaluating and approving training programs. Serves as a member of the Type Certification Board, Flight Test Group and as advisor to the aircraft certification on flight operation problems involved in the certification processes of newly designed aircraft preparatory to the aircraft being type certificated and introduced into service. Participates in the development of Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) approved aircraft flight manuals and represent the Flight Standards Service in the flight tests leading to type certification and service evaluation of the aircraft. Will recommend to the appropriate Flight Standards division the appropriate pilot certificate type rating and specific training program standards to be used for training of flight crews or FAA inspectors receiving training in aircraft. Determines safe limits of required maneuvers based on flight test results, and reviews flight test evaluations for possible unsafe characteristics of the aircraft. Keeps abreast of all modifications, changes, and technical advances for assigned aircraft to assure continued safe operation. Reviews, analyzes, and evaluates problem areas and initiates action to correct technical deficiencies associated with the operation and pilot training of the assigned aircraft. Works with operators introducing new aircraft into service to assure that FAA keeps abreast of current operational problems. Provides expert consultation in support of accident or incident investigations, analysis, and implementation of corrective actions related to the aircraft assigned. Position requires a comprehensive mastery of, and skill in applying, laws and regulations to inspection, investigation, enforcement, and compliance work. Makes recommendations that can change the interpretation of laws, lead to new case law decisions, or influence the development and modification of significant policies or programs. The position also involves developing new approaches in response to identified weaknesses and vulnerabilities of ongoing operations or solving problems that demand technologically advanced methods and innovative approaches. The inspector must develop innovative strategies, approaches, or methods to serve as precedents or models for similar situations in the future.