Jet Aviation Staffing-Chief Pilot-Part 135

Job Description

Behind every seamless journey is the perfect team. Since 1983, Jet Aviation Staffing has been supporting the industry’s most prominent aviation companies by attracting and placing top talent — with thousands of direct hire placements of crew members, maintenance professionals, support staff, management and executive positions, and many more disciplines. On behalf of our external customers, Jet Aviation Staffing upholds in-depth and extensive standards to ensure we are recommending the best talent. Position Summary On behalf of our client, we are seeking a Chief Pilot to lead and oversee the company’s flight operations personnel and training programs. This role is responsible for the overall management, supervision, and leadership of flight operations, with accountability for ensuring that all company flight activities conducted under the Air Carrier Certificate are carried out safely, efficiently, and in full regulatory compliance. The Chief Pilot also plays a critical role in ensuring that the flight department meets its safety management objectives. In this position, the Chief Pilot will provide strategic leadership and operational oversight for flight crews — including crew members operating under both Part 135 and Part 91 — as well as pilot training, standardization, operating procedures, and safety initiatives, while actively supporting the company’s Safety Management System (SMS). As a key member of the operational leadership team, the Chief Pilot will work closely with the Director of Operations, Director of Maintenance, Safety Manager, and executive leadership to drive operational excellence and maintain the highest standards of safety, regulatory compliance, and crew performance. Flight Operations Leadership Organize, staff, supervise, and direct all flight operations conducted by the company, providing leadership and oversight of all flight department personnel. Perform regular flight duties — the successful candidate is expected to actively serve as a line pilot while fulfilling Chief Pilot administrative responsibilities; the percentage of time spent flying will vary based on operational needs. Serve as PIC on scheduled and/or charter flights as assigned. Exercise limited operational control authority over the Air Carrier Certificate as authorized by the Director of Operations, and manage operational functions that directly impact operational control and flight safety. Promote a culture of professionalism, accountability, safety, and operational excellence, ensuring flight operations are conducted safely, efficiently, and in accordance with company standards. Training Program Management Organize, administer, and oversee all pilot training programs, ensuring compliance with FAA-approved training requirements and company training standards. Coordinate initial, recurrent, upgrade, differences, and special-emphasis training. Maintain pilot qualification, certification, and training records, and monitor pilot proficiency and operational performance. Ensure all flight crew members maintain required qualifications and currency. Conduct or oversee line checks, standardization evaluations, and operational observations. Safety Management Systems (SMS) Actively support and promote the company’s Safety Management System, ensuring personnel under his or her authority actively participate in safety reporting and SMS activities. Validate, investigate, and address identified safety risks and safety-risk management deficiencies in a timely and effective manner. Ensure all operational processes and procedures incorporate applicable risk mitigation measures identified through the SMS. Participate in Safety Review Board meetings and safety committees, and promote a Just Culture environment that encourages hazard identification and voluntary safety reporting. Support organizational learning through analysis of safety reports, operational data, and trend monitoring. Flight Standards and Standardization Develop, implement, and maintain aircraft checklists and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). Ensure compliance with the General Operations Manual, Training Manuals, SOPs, and company policies. Maintain consistency and standardization across all aircraft types and flight crews. Review operational practices and implement improvements that enhance safety and efficiency. Ensure flight crews remain informed of changes to regulations, operational procedures, and company standards. Regulatory Compliance Ensure flight operations and related activities are conducted in compliance with FAA Regulations, Air Carrier Operations Specifications, the Company General Operations Manual (GOM), Safety Management System requirements, and applicable industry standards and best practices. Maintain readiness for FAA inspections, audits, and regulatory reviews. Support compliance with industry accreditation standards including WYVERN Wingman, IS-BAO, and ARGUS (if applicable). Ensure corrective actions resulting from audits or inspections are completed effectively and on schedule. Operational Communications Receive, review, and take appropriate action regarding aeronautical information affecting the safety of flight operations. Disseminate operational and safety-related information to flight crews and operational personnel. Ensure timely communication of changes to regulations, procedures, manuals, notices, and company policies. Serve as a liaison with external vendors, training providers, regulators, and organizations that may affect flight operations. Personnel Leadership and Welfare Provide leadership, mentorship, and professional development opportunities for flight department personnel. Oversee the welfare, performance, and professional conduct of pilots and flight operations personnel. Participate in hiring, onboarding, evaluations, disciplinary actions, and retention initiatives. Foster a positive and collaborative working environment, and support succession planning and long-term pilot development initiatives. Required Qualifications Meets all FAA qualifications for Chief Pilot under 14 CFR Part 119. Holds a valid Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) Certificate for the category of aircraft operated by the company. Citation XLS or CE-525 type rating and operational experience required. Holds a current FAA First-Class Medical Certificate. Qualified in accordance with the company’s approved training program to serve as Pilot in Command on at least one aircraft operated by the company. Flight experience: over 7,500 hours total time; Aspen flying experience required. Comprehensive knowledge of the Company General Operations Manual, Training Manuals, Standard Operating Procedures, FAA Parts 91, 119, and 135, Safety Management Systems (SMS), operational control principles, and Crew Resource Management (CRM). Demonstrated leadership, communication, and organizational skills, with strong problem-solving and decision-making abilities. Jet Insight experience preferred. Preferred Qualifications Previous FAA-approved Chief Pilot experience. Experience with WYVERN Wingman, IS-BAO, and Safety Management Systems. Experience conducting pilot evaluations, line checks, and standardization programs. Bachelor’s degree in aviation, business, management, or a related field. CFI, CFII, and MEI certificates. Physical Requirements Ability to perform duties as a required flight crewmember and to maintain FAA medical certification requirements. Ability to travel as required. Ability to sit, stand, walk, climb aircraft stairs, and work in airport and aviation environments. Ability to respond to operational matters outside normal business hours. Work Environment The Chief Pilot operates in a dynamic aviation environment that requires regular interaction with flight crews, maintenance personnel, schedulers, regulators, auditors, customers, and executive leadership. This position requires flexibility and availability to support operational and safety needs beyond traditional business hours. Compensation The anticipated salary range for this position is $175,000 to $200,000. Please note that this range is not a guaranteed offer of compensation. The final salary will be determined based on factors such as the candidate’s experience, geographic location, and other relevant considerations. Jet Aviation provides equal employment and affirmative action opportunities to applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, or disability.

Requirements

• Organize, staff, supervise, and direct all flight operations conducted by the company, providing leadership and oversight of all flight department personnel.
• Perform regular flight duties — the successful candidate is expected to actively serve as a line pilot while fulfilling Chief Pilot administrative responsibilities; the percentage of time spent flying will vary based on operational needs.
• Serve as PIC on scheduled and/or charter flights as assigned.
• Exercise limited operational control authority over the Air Carrier Certificate as authorized by the Director of Operations, and manage operational functions that directly impact operational control and flight safety.
• Promote a culture of professionalism, accountability, safety, and operational excellence, ensuring flight operations are conducted safely, efficiently, and in accordance with company standards.
• Organize, administer, and oversee all pilot training programs, ensuring compliance with FAA-approved training requirements and company training standards.
• Coordinate initial, recurrent, upgrade, differences, and special-emphasis training.
• Maintain pilot qualification, certification, and training records, and monitor pilot proficiency and operational performance.
• Ensure all flight crew members maintain required qualifications and currency.
• Conduct or oversee line checks, standardization evaluations, and operational observations.
• Actively support and promote the company’s Safety Management System, ensuring personnel under his or her authority actively participate in safety reporting and SMS activities.
• Validate, investigate, and address identified safety risks and safety-risk management deficiencies in a timely and effective manner.
• Ensure all operational processes and procedures incorporate applicable risk mitigation measures identified through the SMS.
• Participate in Safety Review Board meetings and safety committees, and promote a Just Culture environment that encourages hazard identification and voluntary safety reporting.
• Support organizational learning through analysis of safety reports, operational data, and trend monitoring.
• Develop, implement, and maintain aircraft checklists and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
• Ensure compliance with the General Operations Manual, Training Manuals, SOPs, and company policies.
• Maintain consistency and standardization across all aircraft types and flight crews.
• Review operational practices and implement improvements that enhance safety and efficiency.
• Ensure flight crews remain informed of changes to regulations, operational procedures, and company standards.
• Ensure flight operations and related activities are conducted in compliance with FAA Regulations, Air Carrier Operations Specifications, the Company General Operations Manual (GOM), Safety Management System requirements, and applicable industry standards and best practices.
• Maintain readiness for FAA inspections, audits, and regulatory reviews.
• Support compliance with industry accreditation standards including WYVERN Wingman, IS-BAO, and ARGUS (if applicable).
• Ensure corrective actions resulting from audits or inspections are completed effectively and on schedule.
• Receive, review, and take appropriate action regarding aeronautical information affecting the safety of flight operations.