Aviation Safety Inspector (Rotorcraft-Helicopter)

Summary

The position is assigned to the Flight Standards Service/General Aviation Safety Assurance Division (AFG) and serves as the POI (Rotorcraft/Helicopter) for Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) for general aviation rotorcraft/helicopter operations. The employee will perform the full range of certification, surveillance, and inspection duties for assigned air carriers, air operators, air agencies, airmen, and designees.

Duties

Provides policy assistance and conducts periodic surveillance of designated pilot examiners, check airmen, air carrier training programs. Some assignments involve wide responsibility for application of expert knowledge of flight operations for technically advanced rotorcraft/helicopters. Such employees are concerned with all aspects of the operational capabilities and limitations of the aircraft On a continuing basis, assures that assigned organizations are properly and adequately organized, staffed, and equipped; have an adequate training program, including an acceptable record keeping system; and have facilities and procedures that meet all regulatory requirements. Chairs joint FAA-industry meetings; maintains regular contact with organizations assigned; and coordinates with top management officials. Requires or directs correction of any deficiencies/discrepancies and refuses or withdraws approval of they cannot be resolved. Responsible for the conduct of enforcement investigations and preparation of final reports and recommendations on disposition. Performs or supervises the emergency suspension of certificates or cancellations of operations specifications. Conducts or directs the reexamination of certificated airmen or recertification of an operator or agency. Conducts investigations of public complaints, congressional inquiries and aircraft incident and accidents. Provides verbal and/or written technical assistance to legal counsel, testifies at court trials and formal hearings and gives depositions. Coordinates Minimum Equipment List (MEL) approvals with the principal airworthiness inspectors. Takes enforcement action in instances of noncompliance with the MEL. May be assigned other duties and responsibilities which are nongraded controlling. Performs other duties as required. A. Technical Administration Develops new or innovative standards practices and procedures to address highly technical issues; as well as identifies the need for and recommends changes to national policies and procedures for certification and surveillance compliance. Chairs joint FAA-industry meetings; explains, negotiates, and settles highly controversial and critical issues with key officials, including internal organizations, industry training organizations, and labor groups. Prepares technical and other pertinent correspondence, responds to congressional inquiries; testifies at court trials and formal hearings resolving highly complex compliance, regulatory matters, and public complaints. Provides advice and recommendations to Flight Standards and aviation safety initiatives to increase safety; provide training to inspectors. Develops and implements thorough and well thought out plans regarding the management of risk in general aviation rotorcraft/helicopter operations. The employee works with technically advanced helicopters for large operators or has oversight over large helicopter air ambulance operators. As the principal representative in regulatory surveillance of air carrier activities, exercises certificate authority over rotorcraft air carriers with very extensive and complex operations. Analyzes flight operations involving large fleets of rotorcraft aircraft. B. Certification Evaluates training programs to ensure they meet the requirements of 14 CFR. Manages reliability team efforts during the development of the standards and procedures pertaining to training programs. Reviews and approves or disapproves carrier¿s technical procedures/manuals and revisions to such. May require amendments to previously approved documents to accomplish the following: correct any conflict with regulatory requirements; eliminate unsafe practices; and/or improve the specificity of instruction. Evaluates training programs to ensure that they meet the requirements of the Federal Aviation Regulations. Approves or disapproves these training programs. Approves/disapproves designation of check airmen and makes recommendations on the appointment of designees.

Qualifications

OPM Qualifications Standard for Aviation Safety Series, FG-1825 Minimum Eligibility Requirements: Not more than two separate incidents involving Federal aviation regulations violations in the last 5 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 Rotorcraft-Helicopter: Applicants must be physically able to perform the duties of the Aviation Safety Inspector position in a safe and efficient manner, with or without a reasonable accommodation. The minimum medical requirements include the following requirements: Have good distant vision in each eye and be able to read, without strain, printed materials the size of typewritten characters (glasses and contact lenses permitted); Have the ability to hear the conversational voice (hearing aid permitted); and Not have any physical condition that would cause them to be a hazard to themselves or others that would interfere with their ability to fly as passengers in a variety of aircraft. In addition, applicants for positions that require participation in the operation of aircraft must: Possess a valid second-class medical certificate in accordance with FAA regulations; and Pass recurrent medical examinations as prescribed by the FAA In addition to meeting the basic requirements, applicants must meet the specialized experience requirements as outlined below: Minimum 100 flight hours in Rotorcraft-Helicopter in the last three years; Commercial Helicopter Pilot Rating with Instrument, or Airline Transport Pilot with Helicopter Rating; Flight Instructor Certificate Rotorcraft Helicopter, Flight Instructor Instrument Helicopter rating; 1,200 hours of total time requirements (1,000 in actual flight conditions, 250 hours of night flight in which 15 are in a helicopter); 250 hours of flight time in helicopters, which includes at least 75 hours as a pilot in command, or as second in command performing the duties of a pilot in command under the supervision of a pilot in command, or any combination thereof; 500 hours of cross-country flight time; 75 hours of instrument flight time in actual or simulated instrument meteorological conditions, of which at least 50 hours are obtained in flight with at least 25 hours in helicopters as pilot in command or as second in command performing the duties of a pilot in command under the supervision of a pilot in command, or any combination. Note: Recency of specialized experience is waived for current and former FAA employees in the 1825 series. Certificates and Ratings: This position requires a certificate and ratings for minimum qualification in the following specialty: General Aviation Operations Rotorcraft-Helicopter; a copy of certificate and ratings are required for ALL candidates newly appointed to the FAA in the 1825 specialty of General Aviation Operations Rotorcraft-Helicopter. Certificate and ratings must be submitted from current FAA employees applying for internal vacancies if they have never held this position with the FAA. Certificate and ratings are not required from current FAA employees who are currently occupying (or previously held) General Aviation Operations Rotorcraft-Helicopter 1825 series position. Specialized Experience: 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 for this position in the Federal Service. Sp