Aviation Safety Inspector serving as a technical expert and advisor on assigned manufactured or modified unmanned aircraft, advanced air mobility, urban air mobility, and optionally piloted aircraft, and associated systems for the Emerging Technologies Division, Evaluation Branch, AFS-720.
General Requirements for All Positions: 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 All Positions: Applicants must be physically able to perform the duties of the Aviation Safety Inspector position in a safe and efficient manner, and must meet all of the following requirements: Have good distant vision in each eye and be able to read printed materials the size of typewritten characters (glasses and contact lenses permitted) without strain; Have the ability to hear the conversational voice (hearing aid permitted); Not have any physical condition that would cause them to be a hazard to themselves or others or 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 Federal Aviation Agency (FAA) regulations; and Pass recurrent medical examinations as prescribed by the FAA. When the predominant work involves rotorcraft-helicopter, applicants for Aviation Safety Inspector (Rotorcraft-Helicopter) positions must meet all of the following requirements. 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. Must hold a valid, unexpired Flight Instructor Certificate with Rotorcraft-Helicopter rating and Instrument Helicopter rating. 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. Must have given a minimum of 200 hours of flight instruction in a helicopter. Minimum 100 flight hours in helicopters as pilot-in-command or second-in-command or 100 hours as pilot in a Level D Simulator that replicates a helicopter, or any combination thereof, during the last five (5) years. Not more than two (2) flying accidents in the last five (5) years in which the applicant's pilot error was involved. Note - Recency is waived for applicants currently in the 1825 series. 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-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. Experience includes Analyzes pilot training; gives flight tests and proficiency checks to pilots and other airmen and evaluates schools that train airmen to operate a particular type of aircraft. Approves the airworthiness of aircraft; adequacy of maintenance programs; training programs for mechanics, repairmen, pilots, and other flight personnel; nature and scope of the operation. In addition to the above, this vacancy has a Quality Ranking Factor, listed below. Applicants who meet this factor will be placed in a Well Qualified category. This factor is also listed under the Other Factors section. Knowledge of FAA certification requirements with an emphasis on Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS)/Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) integration and exemption policy and process concerning UAS. For Lateral Movements Between 1825 Specialties: To assist in determining qualification requirements, applicants transferring between specialties at the same grade level are strongly encouraged to complete the appropriate Qualifications Assessment Tool (QAT) check sheet and upload it along with their resume. Check sheets are contained in Order 3410.26, Flight Standards Service Air Carrier and General Aviation Qualifications Assessment Tool for AFS Aviation Safety Inspectors. This order is located at: https://www.faa.gov/documentLibrary/media/Order/3410.26.pdf. Qualifications must be met by the closing date of this vacancy announcement.
Provides operations representation in all phases of developmental work involved during and prior to certification and subsequent to placing such unmanned aircraft, advanced air mobility, urban air mobility, and optionally piloted aircraft and associated systems into service. The work of this position has considerable impact on the level of safety for industry operation of these aircraft. Expert consultant on technical matters pertaining to operational and performance requirements, equipment, maintenance, and standards. Reviews and evaluates the operational suitability of equipment used in assigned aircraft and associated systems. Participates in Type Certification Board in making decisions related to the operational suitability of aircraft produced by aircraft manufacturers. Serves as member on Flight Standards Boards (FSB) and Flight Operations Evaluation Boards (FOEB) evaluating and presenting Operational considerations/impact or requirements. Evaluates the abilities of the unmanned aircraft, advanced air mobility, urban air mobility, and optionally piloted aircraft and associated processes, manuals, and documents to ensure they perform as expected. Participates in the development and establishment of national and international standards, procedures and airworthiness criteria tailored to meet the requirements and conditions considered necessary to assure effectiveness of the design for assigned aircraft. Manages team efforts with respect to the development of operational criteria. Relates the assigned aircraft manufacturer's operational requirements for unmanned aircraft, advanced air mobility, urban air mobility, and optionally piloted aircraft and associated systems to the aviation industry with particular emphasis on assuring realistic, economically feasible, and technically practical programs which may be applied by the industry. Engages with internal FAA policy groups to ensure associated systems will be able to operate in the NAS with the need for limited exemptions as rule making continues. This prevents the scenario where an unmanned aircraft, advanced air mobility, urban air mobility, optionally piloted aircraft and associated systems are type-certificated and found not to be operationally suitable under current applicable regulations. Establishes contacts at all levels in the FAA. Contacts involve industry representatives including pilots, operators and/or personnel in charge of flight-testing for aircraft manufacturers. Contacts are also with foreign government aviation officials and manufacturers on an international basis. These contacts will be for coordinating and resolving problems imposed by certification and operations requirements, equipment, training requirements, and for the exchange of essential information. Participates in industry and aviation meetings and represents the Flight Standards Service on assigned matters Develops and implements special operations projects as required to accomplish program objectives. Recommends technical program or policy changes as appropriate. Provides technical assistance with respect to the initial development and approval of aircraft flight manuals. Provides expert consultation in support of accident or incident investigations, analysis, and implementation of corrective actions related to unmanned aircraft, advanced air mobility, urban air mobility, and optionally piloted aircraft systems. FLIGHT PROGRAM The ASI will participate in the FAA Flight Program and is therefore required to maintain qualifications and currency requirements applicable to operations inspectors for the purpose of supporting the FAA in a variety of flight-related functions to include training and evaluation of designated pilot examiners. The ASI will evaluate tasks contained in the FAA practical test standards and airman certification standards by participating as pilot-in command or as a crewmember. The inspector is required to maintain an FAA second class medical. Performs other duties as assigned.